Women’s Support Group
Everyday women struggle with the urge to fit in and keep up with society’s expectations. Standards for the way women should look, feel, and react are a few examples of the daily hostility they face. To open up about some of these sensitive topics is like digging up a hole that was long buried. Other stories are more easily able to be talked about, and that’s when things start to get easier. Having a safe place to talk about one's feelings and hardships is essential for the growth of each independent woman. The main point that’s being made is for women to come to a group and talk about their lives, participate in activities prior to helping their needs. The group will offer emotional support and an open ear to those who need someone to listen.
Emily Roscoe, coordinator for social and emotional learning, agrees that starting the group would be a fantastic idea. She explains that in this lifetime, women especially, fall subject to additional feelings like no other. These feelings can impact the way they perceive themselves, the world around them, and even take a toll on their personal relationships with others. Living in a time where women have more say and a voice, it’s crucial for women to have this idea to keep up the hard work. Corresponding with that, it can get frustrating at times, because they are deemed by society to be a certain way in order to have the rights they do have. Things like social media and comparisons can get into the minds of beautiful women all around the world. These all constitute more stress and the idea of achieving unrealistic expectations and goals.
“I think there are so many additional stressors on women, especially these days with social media. I think that that has had a huge influence on things like our body image, or self-image, or just how we perceive ourselves in general. That makes it additionally challenging to women,” Roscoe said.
Coping mechanisms can be used to handle such situations of high-end stress and other occupations of difficulty with the mind. Although there are countless things to do, it varies amongst each individual. It’s important for each woman to identify her own coping skills, which accumulate to personal growth and self-acceptance. A few really good ones which work for almost everyone include things such as exercising, being outside and gaining vitamin D from the sunlight, engaging with other people, and listening to music. Other useful things can include writing, drawing, even playing a sport and some more simpler things such as yoga, meditating, and practicing deep breathing exercises.
“I think it’s a really great idea, especially since mental health is more important now than ever. Our hospitalization rate is at an all-time high. Clearly that indicates we need to change, and more support needs to be put into place,” Roscoe said.
Katherine Arauz, a sophomore at Mooresville High School, supports the idea of this group. She explains that the group would be very beneficial to the women in this community. Addressing certain issues such as women’s rights, body image, equality, and racism is vital to the flourishing of better ideals towards women.
Brynlee Gilliam, sophomore, has shared that women should be equal to everyone. Although men may go through hardships, there are many years of putting women down and generalizing the exclusion of women. They are expected to clean the home, raise children, cook and take care of the men’s needs like they’re property. She exclaimed that body image is very crucial to the way many women feel about their worth. Everyone is unique and has intricate features which make them different and special, and this should be normalized. Standards should start with what each individual thinks of herself, and not listen to what society deems perfect. Instead, it’s important to love those qualities and starting can definitely be difficult. With this group, there are many different women who will listen to each of those stories and include one another for the form they were born into. To be accepted and loved for their personalities, thoughts, and natural bodies is a great idea for stepping forward.
“I think this shows a great start to something that can better the women in our community. This group would be taking a step to bettering and normalizing more women related problems. We are all beautiful and different, so love yourself!” Gilliam said.
As many know, mental health can take a huge toll on many normal activities and can alter the way people live and experience the world. This can leave negative marks on their social lives, personal lives, and even life itself. It’s important to reach out or even do something at home or with others that makes them happy. For the women who find this idea interesting, wait no longer, the school will be forming a group that specializes in wrapping women around with love and support. They will offer a safe place to let go and connect with others.
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| Pictured Shelby McCoy |
