Mental health is a growing concern for many students at Elder today. Stress from classes, friendships, and personal challenges can affect how students feel and perform. Many students struggle quietly, without getting the support they need.

Recognizing this problem, Elder is starting to make changes to better support students’ mental health. These changes might include the Hope Squad, mental health programs, and open conversations to reduce the number of students struggling with mental health. By taking these steps, Elder hopes to create a safer and more understanding environment where students feel comfortable asking for help and can thrive both emotionally and academically.

Mental health awareness currently around the school.

Elder counselor Mrs. Graham is one who is a mental health advocate. She helps many students around the school with struggles of mental health and also makes people aware of it. There are a core group of students around Elder that have been trained for suicide prevention and have learned how to talk with kids that are having a hard time.

These juniors and seniors learn how to have effective conversations and know how to support them during these hard times. When seeking help as a student here and not knowing who to go to for help, there are always great teachers, like Mr. Kreimer, Mr. Schaerer, Mr. Dickman, Mr. Alig, and many more who all care for you and want the best for you. Also, some seniors around the school are Brady Kelly, Sam Bill, and Quinn Daubenmerkl, and several more who are trained and know what to do whenever someone needs help.

The most important thing about mental health is talking to someone. All around the school, there are phone numbers to call whenever you need to talk to someone, especially someone who is trustworthy.

Future things for mental health around the school.

Next month, a program called Adapt for Life will be coming into talk to the freshman about stress management, suicide prevention, and the importance of talking to someone. Starting the week of October 20, Teen Mental Health First Aid will be coming in to the juniors and seniors Catholic Morality classes. They will be teaching students how to recognize when someone is struggling with mental health and being aware or friends, peers, and classmates to see if they can help them with that. They will also be working with stress management and learning coping skills for all of the stress someone might have.

A speaker will be coming in to freshman and sophomores in the middle of November about online safety and how being unsafe online can lead to your mental health worsening. Overall, having a safe online presence so there is no trouble with your mental health.

During flex, they are looking for activities for students to participate in. It’s available for all grades and is looking for everyone to come together. There are student leaders that are in charge and are looking for smaller activities to start with for this upcoming program. The ultimate hope is for all students to come together and build relationships and build how to treat mental health.

Finding someone to talk to is very important and can help most people. If struggling with anything talking to someone by calling 988, or 1800-273-8255. They will give you tips on how to cope with what you are struggling with and give you whatever you need to get to where you hope to be. You are not alone.