Students are facing a unique time now in their fourth school year since the beginning of the pandemic.

Kanawha County school counselors are working hard to meet students where they are now, as the conversation surrounding mental health is becoming more common.

"I think it's opened up the curtain to this heightened awareness of mental health, where we are more engaged with it, staff and students alike," Kanawha County Schools' Lead High School Counselor Richard Tench said.

Tench sees about 200 students while working as a counselor at St. Albans High School. He said some kids are dealing with uneasy feelings and tough situations.

"Anxiety is a huge one. I think it's just stress of life compounded with everything else and the pressures going on. Keeping up with school, trying to perform their best and adjusting to everything. Stress has really been a huge one," Tench said.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 18,000 West Virginians ages 12-17 have depression and 55% didn't receive care for it last year. In Ohio, 113,000 students in that age range have been diagnosed, and 51% aren't receiving care. In Kentucky, 40,000 kids in that group have depression, with 35% not being addressed.

Tench said Kanawha County Schools' staff trains every year to be as preventative as possible when it comes to depression and suicidal thoughts.

"I think students have been more open to talk about mental health and what's going on with them. Some of those conversations do happen. We're having those conversations, those tough conversations with parents that, 'Your student came in and disclosed the following to us.' Never easy conversations, but I wouldn't say they are on the rise," Tench said.

Kanawha County Schools' staff members want their students to know that, no matter what they are going through, they have someone to talk to about it.

"Just talking some things out can be very beneficial for students, because sometimes they're experiencing things for the first time. When you experience these new experiences, you don't have the skills, the knowledge to really be able to navigate that themselves. Just building those relationships is key as well. Having those relationships and understanding there is always someone in your corner goes a long way," Tench said.

To view our entire report on mental health, including our digital town hall, click here.