Anjali Verma, a student at Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School in West Chester, plans to focus on student mental health as the recently elected president of the National Student Council, writes Olina Banerji for Education Week. 

The NSC represents student councils from across the United States and advocates with school leaders and policymakers on behalf of students and issues that are important to them. 

Verma, who recently spoke at a panel at the 2024 Education Week Leadership Symposium, said that the Instagram-friendly life teenagers showcase online is only half the story. 

“Students are struggling more than we think,” she said. “And they don’t feel comfortable asking for help. They don’t feel like their school, their community is able to support them. There’s such a shame behind asking for help.” 

Verma believes that in addition to school administrators, students can play a strong role in helping those who are dealing with anxiety and depression. Her goal is to get student peers to support each other and to make this part of every school’s culture. 

“To know that others are going through the same thing, and they understand you, is necessary to defeat the stigma,” said Verma. 

Read more about Anjali Verma advocating for mental health awareness in Education Week. 

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