As a tri-sport athlete at Parker, I’ve only attended a limited number of PE classes. However, this year when I decided to take a break from my spring sport, it hit me: we are being taught PHYSICAL Education. But as a “progressive” school like Parker, how do we value physical education over MENTAL education? As I mindlessly hit ping pong balls, I couldn’t help but think about all the more valuable and useful things I could be learning. Yes, physical education is important, but I argue that mental education is equally if not more important.

According to the CDC, 42% of high school students face mental health problems, 32% face anxiety, 22% consider attempting suicide, and 10% attempt. We are facing an epidemic that schools must address. Not only do they contribute to the problem of rigorous teaching and homework with little help on dealing with stress, but the problem isn’t being solved. 

I propose not a solution but an aid. PE classes should shift to PME: Physical and Mental Education. One out of the two times a week should be for mental health education and help. This burden won’t be placed on PE teachers as they are likely not experts on this field but by counselors and outside speakers. 

As you read this, ask yourself: was I ever taught how to deal with stress? Do I know how to handle my anxiety? My depression? Relationships? Decision-making? Body image? Do I know how to cook simple dishes? How to invest? Do I know what taxes are? Do I know what a mortgage is or how to buy a house? What about student debt?

For me, the answer is no. I taught myself these things through experiences or through my dad when I wish they were taught to me in school instead of learning meaningless topics that I’ll never use in my life. Most of these things I still don’t know how to do. Meanwhile, though I have no idea how to live life, I sit in class studying, ace the test, and then immediately forget everything right as the music starts to play. 

In school, we too often learn to memorize the dots when we should be learning how to connect them. That is exactly what the aim of this class would be and I think especially at a progressive school like Parker, we should know 

I challenge schools and specifically Parker to think differently. It’s about time we take our mantra of “progressive education” to the next level. The first step is adding the “M” to PE.