Riverwood Grad Writes Book About Struggle With Depression

SANDY SPRINGS, GA — A Riverwood International Charter School graduate visited the school earlier this month to share her struggle with depression and anxiety while passing through the halls of this Sandy Springs institution.

Anna Shutley, a 2017 Riverwood graduate who has self-published a book, "Happy Tuesday," met with about a dozen students at the Riverwood Counseling Center for an intimate and powerful session. Shutley, a Wake Forest University student, shared insights she gained through counseling, medication, and through writing her book.

"As someone who understands what it feels like to be struggling with an unseen mental illness in high school and in Riverwood specifically, I felt that the advice I could provide would benefit current high schoolers," she said. "That's the reason why I wrote 'Happy Tuesday' in the first place - to provide a resource that I felt was lacking when I was in high school, from someone who understands."

"Happy Tuesday: A Guide to Coping with Depression and Anxiety as a High School Girl" is a 47-page book filled with advice for dealing with a diagnosis of depression or anxiety, and tips for navigating traditional teen pitfalls like schoolwork, friends, boys (or girls), and social media.

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It was through Riverwood's Facebook page where Head Counselor Shamona Harrell saw a re-post of an article about "Happy Tuesday" from the Wake Forest student-run newspaper. Harrell reached out to Shutley and invited her to come back to Riverwood to speak to students.

"I knew that we had students who would really benefit from hearing from a fellow student," Harrell said. "There is a lot of stress and anxiety out there, and we want our students to know that they don’t have to deal with it alone."

The Riverwood Counseling Center has added many resources since Shutley walked across the stage to receive her diploma. Students can visit the new, quiet “resource room” when they need a moment to decompress. The room is decked out with sofas, soft lighting, mindful activities, books on dealing with stress and anxiety, fidget toys, and more. Counselors are able to monitor and check in with students; Harrell commented that a number of students benefit from the relaxation room each day.

In addition to the new relaxation space, Riverwood's Counseling Center is offering a variety of other services tailored to meet today's challenges. Small group session topics include stress management, anxiety, and a freshman girl support group.

"Counselors are a bridge to connect students to what they need socially and emotionally," Harrell added. "We are also the bridge between the student and the resources they and their family
need."

Counselors at Riverwood are trained to assist students in need, but for more complex issues, they have developed a relationship with The Summit Counseling Center. That organization provides on-site counseling services to students. This school-based program, in partnership with Fulton County Schools, enables students to receive the services they need right on campus.

"The fact that Riverwood now has an on-campus therapist and a relaxation room for panic attacks is a huge step forward and is filling a great need," Shutley said. "I was so excited to hear about those changes."

Harrell hopes that students will regard the school’s Counseling Center as a resource. She stresses that counselors "are so much more than schedule fixers and recommendation writers. We are trained to assist students in need."

Shutley said she still doesn't have everything figured out. However, the difference between her high school years and the present is she now knows how to deal with her emotions by using good coping mechanisms.

“Having bad days is inevitable," said Shutley, a biology major who hopes to become a high school teacher. "I encourage you to feel your emotions in order to let them go.”

"Happy Tuesday: A Guide to Coping with Depression and Anxiety as a High School Girl" is available for purchase in paperback and Kindle format from Amazon.

Image via Riverwood International Charter School