My Health Story

Courtney McClain

My Health Story: Courtney McClain

Courtney Mcclain 3Courtney McClain, Co-Winner of the My Health Story Contest
Student Helping and Health Center, Sturgis High School

As a high school student who struggles with anxiety and depression, my school-based health clinic has become an essential part of my life. With the help that I’ve received from the staff at the school clinic, I have been able to overcome many things that used to hinder me from being a successful student. Working with my nurse practitioner and my counselor, I have been able to learn how to get through the anxiety attacks that used to send me home from school, stay on track with my classes, and how to cope with my depression.

When I first started going to the clinic I was frequently leaving school because of my anxiety attacks, dreading any activity that involved people, and having trouble finding the motivation to do my school work. After speaking with my nurse practitioner, Amy, we decided that the best thing to do was to set up an appointment to see the clinic’s counselor. After a few sessions with the counselor, Sarah, I was already able to see a change in the way I was feeling. Working with Sarah has taught me the proper skills to deal with my depression and anxiety, a skill that I practice daily is mindfulness. Learning how to look at days at a time instead of weeks at a time has helped me realize how the minuscule things really don’t matter. Without the skills that my counselor has taught me, I would still be missing school and missing out on life.

As a senior in high school the one thing that I want the most is to finish the year on a high note. With the support of the staff at the school-based clinic, I have been able to stay on track with my classes, participate in extracurricular activities, and actually enjoy the activities at school. My school based health clinic is important to me because without the team of staff that are there to support me, I would be unable to do the things that I do today. I am so grateful for everything that they have done to help me.


 

About the My Health Story Contest

School-Based Health Care Awareness Month is the time each year that we pause to celebrate the value of school-based, school-linked and school wellness programs. This year, we asked youth across Michigan to tell us how a School-Based or School-linked Health Center has improved their health and helped them to succeed in school. Contestants wereasked to submit an essay about their experiences with a Health Center. Stories will be posted daily on our website beginning in February during Awareness Month to the end of April when we host advocacy day. You can see all the contest entries here.

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