Mental Health

 

Living and Values Project

 

Water Pollution: An Essay.

 Water pollution is a significant environmental issue that affects the health of ecosystems and human populations around the world. The contamination of water bodies by various pollutants poses serious threats to aquatic life and human well-being. It's important to understand the causes and effects of water pollution in order to address this critical environmental problem. This essay has the aim to examine the sources of water pollution, its impact on ecosystems and human health, and potential solutions to mitigate this issue. 

One of the main sources of water pollution is industrial activities. Factories and manufacturing plants discharge harmful chemicals and waste into rivers, lakes, and oceans, contaminating the water supply. These pollutants can cause significant damage to aquatic life, disrupt ecosystems, and harm human health. For example, heavy metals such as lead and mercury can accumulate in the tissues of fish and other aquatic organisms, posing a risk to humans who consume contaminated seafood. 

Agricultural practices also contribute to water pollution through the use of fertilizers and pesticides. Excessive nutrient levels in water can deplete oxygen levels, creating dead zones where aquatic life cannot survive. Additionally, pesticides can harm aquatic organisms and disrupt food chains, affecting the overall health of ecosystems. 

Another major source of water pollution is urban runoff. Stormwater carrying pollutants such as oil, chemicals, and litter flows into waterways, degrading water quality and harming aquatic habitats. The accumulation of plastic debris in oceans and rivers poses a serious threat to marine life, as animals can ingest or become entangled in discarded trash. Microplastics, small plastic particles that are difficult to remove from water bodies, pose a particularly challenging problem for environmental conservation efforts.

The impact of water pollution on ecosystems is significant. Pollutants can alter the chemistry of water, making it unsuitable for aquatic organisms to thrive. This disruption can lead to declines in fish populations, loss of biodiversity, and degradation of habitat quality. In addition, polluted water can pose health risks to humans who come into contact with contaminated water sources. Drinking contaminated water can cause a range of illnesses, including gastrointestinal problems, skin rashes, and respiratory issues. 

If you are interested in the prevention of water pollution, you can participate in clean-up events, advocate for policy changes to regulate industrial waste disposal, and promote in your community on sustainable water management practices. By raising awareness about the importance of clean water and taking proactive steps to reduce pollution, we can contribute to the preservation of water resources for future generations. 

In conclusion, water pollution is a pressing environmental issue that requires immediate attention and action. Everyone can play a critical role in addressing this problem by understanding its causes, effects, and potential solutions. By working together to protect water quality and promote conservation efforts, we can make a positive impact on the health of ecosystems and human populations.

By Ana M. Grau V., Step 10

NOVA: An Awarded Speech

 How much of our brain do we actually use?

So first of all I want you to swallow and then breathe. Take a deep breath in and out. Now I want you to think about what you did yesterday and how you felt yesterday. I want you to read what it says on the presentation right here and now I want you to Solve this math question, you can do it mentally. Now I am going to give you a problem and I want two of you to raise your hands and tell me how you would solve it. Imagine I got a bee sting and it hurts a lot. How do you help me? What if I tell you that you just used 100% of your brain? They’re having myths all around the world with tv and scientists that you only use 10% of your brain, but this is 100% false because you 100% use 100% of your brain. I just solved the answer to a question going on for centuries, and I could just leave, but I want to tell you all about how humans came to this conclusion, the myths and truths all about the brain, and how to use your brain to the fullest. Now don’t get me wrong, you’re already using all of the brain, but I can show you how to trick your brain into being more efficient. My name is Victoria Merchan and this is my Brain talking about my Brain.

In 335 BC, Greek philosopher Aristotle thought the brain was simply a radiator that kept the heart from overheating. Around 170 BC, Roman physician Galen suggested the brain’s four ventricles were the seat of complex thought, an idea that first suggested this is where our memories and personalities are stored. In the 16th century, Belgian anatomist Andreas Vesalius created a detailed map of the nervous system and argued against the ventricles as the site of brain functions. In 1848, American railroad worker Phineas Gage had an iron rod strike his head, passing through his left frontal lobe. He survived, but aspects of his personality changed, suggesting that specific brain regions were important for certain functions. This was after the myths about a part of your brain were not used giving a perfect argument for Pierre Flourens’ ideas. This idea grew stronger after studies in the 1860s by physicians Paul Broca and Carl Wernicke showed that specific parts of the brain were dedicated to different components of speech.

The brain is the crown jewel of the human body, and the most complex as well. The brain can be divided into three basic units: the forebrain, the midbrain, and the hindbrain. The hindbrain includes the upper part of the spinal cord, the brain stem, and a wrinkled ball of tissue called the cerebellum. The hindbrain controls the body’s vital functions such as respiration and heart rate. The uppermost part of the brainstem is the midbrain, which controls some reflex actions and is part of the circuit involved in the control of eye movements and other voluntary movements. The forebrain is the largest and most highly developed part of the human brain:When people see pictures of the brain it is usually the cerebrum that they notice. The cerebrum sits at the topmost part of the brain and is the source of intellectual activities. It holds your memories, allows you to plan, enables you to imagine and think. It allows you to recognize friends, read books, and play games. I hope this helped with the realization of the importance of every piece of your brain. 

Your brain is always working. The human brain can process 11 million bits of information every second. 100 trillion synapses a second. Clusters of sleep-promoting neurons become active as the sleep approaches. In the day it receives, processes and interprets information while storing memories and controlling your body. The brain is a non-stop machine for every human being, even doing nothing is a cause for synapses for the brain. 

For some as-yet-unknown reason, nearly all of the signals from the brain to the body and vice-versa cross over on their way to and from the brain. This means that the right cerebral hemisphere primarily controls the left side of the body, and the left hemisphere primarily controls the right side. When one side of the brain is damaged, the opposite side of the body is affected. For example, a stroke in the right hemisphere of the brain can leave the left arm and leg paralyzed.

Let's solve some recurring myths in a couple of seconds. Your brain is not gray, alcohol only makes brain cells a bit redundant, listening to Mozart doesn’t make you smarter, you can recover from brain damage and after you’re 40 you won't suddenly be stupid. When scientists start using animals as human clones in experiments, they often seem to alternate the truth, which is what happened with the brain. A French neurophysiologist named Pierre Flourens conducted a series of studies with pigeons and rats where he removed larger tissues of the brain and they seemed to complete tasks with ease.``One can remove,” he wrote in 1824, “from the front, or the back, or the top or the side, a certain portion of the cerebral lobes, without destroying their function.” he said, thus the start of the 10% myth. A conception very laughed at nowadays; however, it seems to be immortal. Neurosurgeon Wilder Penfield's discovery in the 1930s of "silent cortex" - brain areas that appeared to have no function when he stimulated them with electricity. We know today that these areas are functional. 

How can I argue that the previous paragraph is true? Evolution does not allow any wastefulness. Wastefulness causes an exclusion of the gene pool. Our brain is 2% of our body weight and it utilizes 20% of our energy which is the most energy used from any animal on earth, hence our mentally created superiority. With its high cost, it’s improbable that all that energy is used for only 10% of our brain. Losing any part of our brain can have a mental or physical deficit which concludes that everything is used on a daily basis. 

Another rising myth is that the “left brain” is supposedly logical and detail-oriented, whereas the “right brain” is the seat of passion and creativity. These kinds of certain asymmetries are very truthful, yet both sides are more similar than different. Both hemispheres work to do most tasks in body function. The media has also created a concept where you can either be a left or right brained person creating a certain personality around these hemispheres. Nobody can have the personality trait of only one since we use them both. 

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention touts exercise as a way to “boost brain health,” while the World Health Organization suggests that about 2 hours of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week can help improve thinking and memory skills. “The best exercise scientifically proven to this day is aerobic exercise known to improve heart rate which counters with all the oxygen flow easing into your brain.” -Dr Wendy Suzuki. Somewhere between walking to doing your regular sportive activities is already excellent; however, 3-4 days a week of aerobic exercise gets you a better brain efficiency increase. “As your body moves, your brain grooves” Jim Kwik. He also referenced that moving throughout the day is a simple enough exercise for your brain. It’s easy to be confused with all the quantities given by different sources, so an easy conclusion is to say that you should just move your body.

A daily occurrence for most humans is the feeling of anxiety. This feeling gives the right side of your brain overpower making the left side less used for the duration of your anxious stroke. Doctors are now starting to believe that an exercise can reboot both sides equally, hence we’ll all try it out right now. Try to lift your right side thumb with the left side pinky and vice versa alternating both movements. Both hemispheres are now controlling their sides of the body meaning that the overpower of the right side is now lost. People have seen results with this exercise so I would love for any of you to ever try it when the feeling starts to kick in.

People believe in myths like the silent part of your brain because it could explain how some people are smarter than others in representation of the movie “Lucy”. This can be explained by genetic influences making intelligence one of the most heritable traits. I would like to further such an argument by doing a little experiment to play with your brains. How many of you hear Yanny? Now how many of you hear Laurel? Your brain has so much stimulus at all times that it uses existing information and precise neurological pathways to focus its attention. It’s all about the experience created by each individual that alternates the result. We all use our brain in different ways that can change the perception of how smart we are in comparison to others; however, one thing that we all have in common is that we use all our parts of our brain in our own way. The world keeps evolving and so do brain discoveries. Every single new statement makes its way so that we can improve ourselves and reach our maximum potential. Now that your brain has officially learnt more about your brain I would like to leave you with some wise words. “Cogito, ergo sum” or universally known as “I think, therefore, I am” -René Descartes

By Victoria Merchán, Step 9

NOVA Speech Contest: CRISPR

 

You are pregnant, but you discover that your son unfortunately has a genetic mutation, he has Down syndrome. The doctors show you 3 possible scenarios, having the baby just like that, having an abortion due to the great responsibility that this would have, and as a last option, genetically editing it so that it does not have Down syndrome. Given these 3 paths, which one will you choose? Of course, this can’t be possible right now, but in no further future, we could do this and more thanks to CRISPR. 

Good morning, my name is Sarah Naranjo and today, I'm going to explain a little bit more about this. 

Humans have been using genetic engineering for millions of years, through selective breeding we reinforced the characteristics that most benefit us in animals and plants. We became almost experts without really understanding it, until in the end we discovered the code of life, the DNA. So, it was discovering the DNA to want to play with it. 

Today there are muscular pigs, featherless chickens, or transparent frogs

all relatively incredible, but until a few years ago, genetic modification was extremely expensive, complicated and slow but that changed thanks to CRISPR. from one day to another, what used to take a year could be done in weeks, even anyone with a laboratory could use it.

CRISPR, is an acronym for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats, the title does not matter now, because CRISPR literally has the potential to change humanity forever.

why do I say this?

Since life has existed on the planet, bacteria and viruses have been fighting since then, where crispr cas is a system by which bacteria defend themselves against viruses.

 But how does it work?

 When a virus infects a bacteria, it sends its DNA into that bacteria, when the bacteria manages to react, it breaks the viral DNA and when it breaks it, it inactivates it and obviously, the bacteria survives, but it doesn't just do that, it takes bits of the virus DNA and incorporates them into its own genome, not anywhere, it incorporates them into a specific region where it collects those bits of the virus, that region is crispr.

The interesting thing about this is that when that bacteria survives, it leaves offspring, and any offspring will have inherited that genome, so all its descendants have those bits in their genome, so that generations later when an offspring is infected again by an identical or very similar virus, a protein called CAS9, will take a copy of that genome that it had saved and will use it as a reference to search for the virus throughout the cell, guaranteeing its descendants a much higher survival than the the rest.

So they are precision molecular scissors, where the star actor in this process was a protein called Cas9.

So, crispr gives us the perfect solution. Why reinvent something when we can adapt what is already established by nature after millions of years of evolution? If bacterias can use crispr to cut and paste DNA in their genome in order to avoid infections, sure scientists can also use CRISPR to cut and past DNA in eukaryotic genomes to edit genes. 

So, since we are going to cure Carlitos' cancer, why don't we fix that mutation that we saw in the diagnosis that could give him Parkinson's or Alzheimer's in 50 years? Or next to it one that could cause myopia? Because it would be negligent to have the tools and not make those arrangements, but what if in the process we take the opportunity to make him taller, more handsome, more intelligent? Where is the line between healing and improving?

Everything would begin with the intention of curing a disease, as always, but as technology progresses and is refined, it will become practically immoral not to use genetic modification, since refusing the cure would be condemning a child to suffering and death that could have been prevented.

This opens the doors to a new world, where we have evolution in our hands and we can direct those changes, and of course, if we are creative enough we can consider the scenario of what would happen if this technology falls into the hands of a government like the one from north korea? Or where it becomes one more reason for discrimination, quite rightly being more genetically advanced?

Let's imagine a future world in which we can clone that dog that has died, but also installing DNA mutations that make it more muscular; or growing tomatoes that remain ripe long after they have been picked, mushrooms that do not turn brown after long storage. In the countryside there are new breeds of cows with the same genetics resulting from hundreds of years of selective breeding, but, thanks to CRISPR, they no longer have horns. Pigs nearby have special mutations that make them resistant to viruses and allow them to develop muscles. Other pigs contain humanized genomes selectively manipulated so that the animals can one day be donors for humans. As incredible as it may seem, all these inventions that seem part of a dystopian reality have already been achieved with the help of CRISPR technology, and the list is much longer.

We have a lot to win, we could end disease, or extend life expectancy by centuries. It is true that this gives us a lot to think about, but being realistics, our opinion about genetic modification does not matter, what could have been considered science fiction is one step away from becoming reality, and perhaps, genetic modification may be just a natural step of the evolution of intelligent species. 

I am Sarah Naranjo, currently in Step 10, at American School.

Vaping: Nova Speech

 

Ladies and gentlemen,

Today, we stand before you to share our opinion on why vaping is actually worse for smokers, backed by credible sources of data. Vaping, also known as e cigarette use, has been marketed as a safer alternative to traditional cigarette smoking. However, as we examine the scientific evidence, we will uncover the harsh reality that vaping is not only harmful but can be even worse for smokers. Despite the marketing efforts of the vaping industry, there are several reasons why vaping is detrimental to the health and well-being of smokers, and it's crucial to consider these points carefully.

Let's first address the misconception that vaping is safe. Many e cigarette companies have claimed that their products are a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes, stating that they produce harmless vapor instead of harmful smoke. However, this claim has been challenged by numerous scientific studies.  A study conducted by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in 2018 found substantial evidence that e cigarette use increases the risk of dependence on nicotine, and some evidence that e cigarette use increases the risk of using combustible tobacco cigarettes.

Moreover, the aerosol produced by e cigarettes is not harmless water vapor, as commonly believed, but rather a toxic mixture of chemicals. The aerosol, often referred to as "vapor," contains harmful substances such as nicotine, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein, and other toxicants. According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the aerosol from e-cigarettes was found to contain potentially harmful chemicals, including formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein, which are known to cause respiratory and cardiovascular problems.

Furthermore, the nicotine content in cigarettes is highly addictive and can lead to nicotine dependence, especially among young people who are more susceptible to addiction. Many e-cigarettes contain high levels of nicotine, sometimes even higher than traditional cigarettes. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance that can have long-term effects on the developing brain, affecting cognition, attention, and impulse control. According to a report by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), nicotine addiction is one of the primary risks associated with vaping, and it can lead to a lifetime of addiction to nicotine and other substances.

Additionally, the lack of regulation and oversight in the vaping industry is a cause for concern. E Cigarettes are relatively new products, and their long-term health effects are still largely unknown. The industry is largely unregulated, allowing for the sale of potentially dangerous products with little to no quality control. There have been numerous reports of contaminated e cigarettes and e liquids, leading to severe lung injuries and even deaths. The lack of clear labeling and accurate information about the ingredients in cigarettes makes it difficult for users to fully understand the risks associated with their use. A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that more than half of teens who vape do not know what is in their cigarettes, and many are unaware that these devices contain nicotine.

Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that vaping can actually act as a gateway to traditional cigarette smoking, especially among young people. Many studies have shown that adolescents and young adults who start vaping are more likely to progress to smoking traditional cigarettes compared to those who do not vape. A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that teens who vaped were more likely to start smoking cigarettes within 18 months compared to those who did not vape.5 This is a concerning trend, as it undermines the notion that vaping can serve as a harm reduction tool for smokers. Instead of helping smokers quit, vaping may actually be leading them to adopt more harmful smoking habits.

Another concerning factor is the marketing tactics employed by the vaping industry, which often target young people with appealing flavors and attractive packaging. Flavors such as cotton candy, or bubble gums.

In conclusion, while vaping may be the same harmful compares with traditional smoking for some individuals, it is not without risks and should be used with caution. Individuals who are trying to quit smoking should consult with a healthcare professional to determine the best course of action for their individual needs and circumstances.

By Lucas Caballero and

Adrián Tovar, Step 9

Your Body Language Reveals Your Deepest Secrets.

 

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, today, we are going to explore the fascinating topic of body language and whether or not it can reveal our deepest secrets. This is an intriguing question that has captured the imagination of many people for centuries, and it is one that continues to spark debate and controversy to this day.

Body language refers to the nonverbal signals that we send out with our bodies. These signals can include gestures, facial expressions, posture, and tone of voice, among other things. While many of us are aware of the role that body language plays in communication, there is still much that we do not know about how it works and what it can reveal about us.

Some people believe that body language can be used to uncover our deepest secrets, such as our true thoughts, emotions, and intentions. They argue that our bodies have a way of betraying us, even when we try to conceal our true feelings with words. For example, if someone is lying about something, they may exhibit nervous behaviors like fidgeting, avoiding eye contact, or sweating profusely. These behaviors may be subtle, but they can be picked up by someone who is observant and skilled in reading body language.

Similarly, someone who is feeling stressed or anxious may exhibit tense body language, like clenching their fists or jaw, crossing their arms over their chest, or hunching over. This body language can reveal that something is bothering them, even if they are not willing to talk about it.

So, can body language really reveal our deepest secrets? The answer is not a simple one. While there is no doubt that body language can provide valuable insights into our thoughts and emotions, it is not a foolproof method of uncovering our innermost secrets.

One of the challenges of interpreting body language is that it can be highly contextual. In other words, the same behavior can mean different things in different situations. For example, someone who is crossing their arms may be doing so because they are cold, rather than because they are feeling defensive or closed off.

Another challenge is that people can be skilled at concealing their true feelings, even with their body language. Some people are simply better at controlling their physical responses than others, and may be able to mask their true emotions with ease.

Furthermore, there is always the risk of misinterpretation when it comes to body language. A behavior that may seem like a clear sign of one emotion to one person may be interpreted differently by another person. This is why it is important to be cautious when attempting to read someone's body language and to look for multiple cues before drawing conclusions.

Despite these challenges, there is still much to be learned from studying body language. By paying attention to the signals that people are sending out with their bodies, we can gain a deeper understanding of their thoughts and emotions, and potentially build stronger connections with them.

Moreover, by becoming more aware of our own body language, we can learn to better regulate our emotions and convey our intentions more effectively. For example, if we are feeling nervous or anxious, we can work on relaxing our body and using open, approachable body language to make others feel more comfortable around us.

In conclusion, while it is not always possible to uncover someone's deepest secrets through body language alone, there is no denying that our bodies have a powerful way of communicating our thoughts and emotions, even when we are not aware of it. By paying attention to the nonverbal signals that people are sending out with their bodies, we can gain a deeper understanding of their inner world, and potentially build stronger connections with them. And by becoming more aware of our own body language, we can learn to better regulate our emotions and convey our intentions more effectively.

Thank you.

By Samuel Pérez and

Gabriel Mendoza, Step 9

Physical Exercise and Health

 Benefits of doing physical activities

Sport is a fundamental part of a healthy lifestyle, and its benefits extend beyond physical fitness. Engaging in regular physical activity not only improves physical health, but it also has numerous positive effects on mental health and overall well-being. Here are some of the many benefits of doing sport.

Firstly, regular exercise helps to improve cardiovascular health by reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. Exercise helps to strengthen the heart, making it more efficient at pumping blood throughout the body, and can also lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. (American Heart Association Physical Activity Improves Quality of Life 2018) 

Secondly, participating in sports can help to improve mental health by reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. (Harvard Health Publishing. Exercising to Relax 2018)

. Exercise stimulates the release of endorphins, which are natural mood enhancers, and can also help to reduce stress levels. Additionally, participating in team sports can provide social support and help to improve social skills, which can boost self-esteem and confidence.

Thirdly, regular physical activity can help to improve cognitive function, including memory and concentration.(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention How Physical Activity Can Help With Cognitive Function 2018) 

. Exercise has been shown to increase blood flow to the brain, which can help to promote the growth of new brain cells. Additionally, physical activity can help to improve sleep quality, which is essential for optimal cognitive function.

Fourthly, engaging in sports and physical activity can help to promote a healthy weight and body composition .(Mayo Clinic Exercise for Weight Loss 2019)  Exercise helps to burn calories and build muscle, which can help to reduce body fat and improve body composition. Additionally, physical activity can help to increase metabolism, which can help to maintain a healthy weight.

Finally, participating in sports and physical activity can promote overall well-being and quality of life .(The University of Edinburgh. Exercise and Mental Health 2019) Exercise can help to improve energy levels, reduce fatigue, and promote a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Additionally, participating in sports can provide a sense of purpose and direction, which can be important for mental health and overall well-being.

In conclusion, engaging in sports and physical activity has numerous benefits for both physical and mental health. Regular exercise can help to improve cardiovascular health, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, improve cognitive function, promote a healthy weight and body composition, and promote overall well-being and quality of life. By incorporating physical activity into our daily lives, we can improve our health and well-being in numerous ways.

By: Lucas Caballero, Step 9

An Overview on Healthy Food

Healthy foods are essential for maintaining good health and preventing chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. A well-balanced diet consisting of nutritious foods can provide the body with the necessary nutrients it needs to function optimally. Here are some healthy foods that you should consider incorporating into your diet: 

Fruits and vegetables are among the most important foods you can eat. They are low in calories and high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They are also rich in antioxidants, which can help prevent diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Try to eat a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables, including leafy greens, berries, citrus fruits, and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower. 

Whole grains are another important component of a healthy diet. They are rich in fiber, which can help regulate digestion and prevent constipation. Whole grains are also a good source of vitamins and minerals. Examples of whole grains include brown rice, quinoa, oatmeal, and whole wheat bread. 

Lean protein sources such as chicken, fish, and tofu are also essential for a healthy diet. Protein is necessary for building and repairing tissues in the body, and it also helps keep you feeling full and satisfied. Choose lean protein sources to minimize your intake of saturated fat. 

Healthy fats are also an important part of a balanced diet. They can help reduce inflammation and protect the heart. Examples of healthy fats include avocados, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish like salmon. 

In addition to these whole foods, it's important to minimize your intake of processed foods and sugary drinks. These types of foods can be high in calories and low in nutrients, and they can contribute to weight gain and chronic diseases. 

Overall, a healthy diet should be based on whole foods that are rich in nutrients and low in added sugars and unhealthy fats. By incorporating more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats into your diet, you can promote good health and reduce your risk of chronic diseases.

For more on this topic look for information in next link:

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/processed-foods/ 

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/healthy-diet 

By Adrián Tovar, Step 9

A Way to Approach To Mental Health: A Feature Article

 This is how they work at the Pierre Janet Hospital Center facilities!

As students reach their senior year at school, they are taken to the university every Thursday, so that they begin to become familiar with their environment and help them to choose a career. That is the situation that the students of the Garibaldi Secondary School are experiencing. Today, the 11th grade class will visit a psychiatric institution accompanied by Professor John Wicker in order to introduce them to the facilities, working conditions and patients. At the Pierre Janet Hospital Center, all kinds of mental illnesses are treated in the most practical, safe, efficient and comfortable way so that patients can be reincorporated into society as soon as possible. So much so that 2 patients voluntarily agreed to have a small talk with the youth stakeholder group.

• Well guys, pay attention and take notes since we are going to meet our first volunteer, remember that you will only be able to ask a few questions since we do not want them to feel agitated, so behave yourselves.

• Excuse me, teacher John, could you tell us who is the patient we are going to meet and about the disease from which he suffers?

• Of course, my mistake, his name is Sirius, he is 35 years old, he suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event, so limit yourself to asking about how you are treated and not about how you got here, we don't want you to suffer some type of attack or similar.

• Good morning Sirius, I hope you're ready now because these guys are dying to know what your life is like here.

• You finally arrived John, good morning everyone, I was really nervous about your visit. This is a test for me, but seeing your faces calms me down, so feel free to ask anything.

• So I will ask the first question, do you feel very lonely here?

• Good question young man, fortunately not, I am usually allowed to receive visits from my family and loved ones, and many of the other patients are very good listeners and understanders.

• I will do the following, how do the attendees treat you?

• They are very kind and understanding, they do not deny you even the smallest help and they always try to make us feel as comfortable as possible.

• Well guys Mr. Sirius already answered enough questions, let's continue.

• Thank you very much for being so well behaved guys, you can visit me whenever you can, I will be open to more questions.

• So now guys, the next one is named Anne, she is 24 years old and suffers from Addiction & Substance Abuse is a disease that affects a person's brain and behavior and leads to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medicine. Substances such as alcohol, marijuana and nicotine are also considered drugs. When you're addicted, you may continue using the drug despite the harm it causes. He also suffers from Schizophrenia which is a serious mental disorder in which people interpret reality abnormally. Schizophrenia may result in some combination of hallucinations, delusions, and extremely disordered thinking and behavior that impairs daily functioning, and can be disabling. And finally, she also suffers from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, which features a pattern of unwanted thoughts and fears (obsessions) that lead you to do repetitive behaviors (compulsions). These obsessions and compulsions interfere with daily activities and cause significant distress. Therefore, I expect a behavior at the level of what they had with Mr. Sirius, she is a very delicate patient but at the same time one of those who has advanced the most.

The professor was really nervous about this interaction, because depending on how she behaved with these boys, Anne could have more freedom and in the near future she could definitely leave this place. He is really proud of her because despite having so many difficulties, she hasn't given up and keeps trying to get better, and it won't be easy for her out there even after finishing the treatment, many people don't care enough to live together in the best way with such a complex person.

• Good morning Miss Anne, we are ready to start the chat.

• Okay John, I'm ready so let's get started.

• Miss, doesn't it overwhelm you or bore you to be so closed?

• Hmmm, at first yes, I could barely get up and stay in the room, but it was a danger to me and to others, but now they let me go out to the park, read and socialize with more people.

• Excuse me miss, the last question, what part of this whole process has been the most difficult for you?

• Hmmm, everything was really difficult, but again at the beginning I felt that everyone was looking at me like I was crazy, but it was nothing more than my imagination, hopefully everyone here understands my situation.

• Very well Miss, this is very enriching for these young people, so with your permission we let you rest.

• Thank you very much John, have a nice day.

This is how the visit of the students from Garibaldi Secondary School ended, many of them were satisfied, many others only whet their appetite to learn and understand more about the subject, it is certain that more than one will bet on this career. But the most important thing is that everyone was able to see first hand how a person who has many difficulties and even a disorder, can act in an ordinary way, and if they are given the right environment and treatment they will be able to participate in any activity they please. Without a doubt, this experience was completely worth it, both on the academic and the human sides.

By Juan Camilo Ramírez, Step 9