Natalie DeLaCruz
Natalie DeLaCruz
Episode 19: COVID's Effect on High School
Episode 19: COVID's Effect on High School
Episode 19: COVID's Effect on High School
Wednesday 14th June 2023
Listen to Aashi Gurtata discuss high school life during COVID, focusing on mental health and substance use challenges on 'The Purple Effect'.
22 minutes
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Author:
Natalie DeLaCruz
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Body & Mind
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Get the buttons here!Surviving High School During COVID: Aashi Gurtata’s Story
Episode Overview
- Aashi shares her experience of managing a rigorous high school schedule amidst the pandemic's impact on mental health and substance use among students.
- She discusses her involvement with the Herren Project, driven by a personal commitment to promote substance prevention inspired by a family member's struggle with substance abuse.
- Insights into the academic challenges, heightened stress levels, and the competitive college application process during senior year are revealed.
- Aashi delves into the concerning rise in drug abuse among students as an outlet for coping with pandemic-induced challenges, shedding light on the school's response to drug use.
- The episode explores the effectiveness of school assemblies and peer support models, emphasizing the significance of fostering accepting environments and embracing opportunities outside one's comfort zone.
My advice for people in high school right now would just to be involved in high school and do things that make you happy. I pushed myself to enroll in activities regardless of how nervous I was to join them without my best friends.
Ever wondered how the pandemic reshaped the high school experience? In this episode of 'The Purple Effect', host Natalie DeLaCruz sits down with Aashi Gurtata, Vice President of the Herren Project Youth Ambassador Board, to dive into this very topic. Aashi opens up about the whirlwind of managing her high school life amidst the chaos of COVID-19, sharing her personal journey and the broader impact on students' mental health and substance use.
Driven by a profound loss in her family due to substance abuse, Aashi's commitment to the Herren Project is deeply personal. She offers a candid look at how the pandemic intensified academic pressures, especially during the crucial senior year and the nerve-wracking college application process. Aashi doesn’t shy away from discussing the alarming rise in drug abuse among students, used as a crutch to cope with boredom, depression, and low self-esteem during lockdowns.
She also sheds light on her school's response to these issues, emphasizing the importance of open dialogues about substance abuse and mental health. From school assemblies to peer support models, Aashi highlights effective strategies for creating a supportive environment for students. Her advice? Embrace opportunities outside your comfort zone and find joy in activities that resonate with your passions.
Aashi's story is one of resilience and empathy, making it a must-listen for anyone navigating high school or supporting someone who is. Tune in to hear her invaluable insights and practical advice on fostering connections, managing academic stress, and championing mental wellness in these challenging times.