St. Laurence High School prioritizing mental health with week of activities
CHICAGO(CBS) -- Mental health is a crucial part of our wellness, but it's not always easy to talk about or navigate. One local high school is spending a week with its students to have the difficult conversations, and give them the tools they need to thrive.
A wall inside St. Laurence High School, in southwest suburban Burbank, really gives insight into what this week means for students. Every single student is pictured with a sign about why they matter.
The point is to make it clear that, regardless of what they may be going through, they matter to someone.
"I know most students struggle with something, even if it's something small from having a hard math test the next day, or something as big as a loss," junior Mia Garcia said.
"Everyone goes through something, and we thought it was important to speak out and advocate for others," junior Kasandra Bonilla said.
Mia and Kasandra are two of the organizers behind Leadership Week at St. Laurence. It's a week dedicated to those who demonstrate leadership. It happens every school year, but this time they and fellow juniors Sahir and Maggie wanted to focus on leadership through wellness.
"In order for me to lead others and uplift others, which is my job as a leader, I have to be well. I have to take care of myself in order to take care of those around me," said St. Laurence director of leadership Laura Storino.
Storino helped the students put their plan together; an entire week focused on making it easier for them to be open about whatever struggles they might be going through.
"It's important for them to have the skills they need to go through these things, and to know how to deal with them. So that way it doesn't get to the point where they hit crisis," Storino said.
The week kicked off Monday with a Leadership through Wellness assembly.
Math teacher Kelly Urso was motivated to participate after her daughter's mental health struggles. She now is partnering with "Same Here," helping students understand the common language, the connection.
She said students are hearing conversations about mental health everywhere, including in TV shows and on TikTok.
"They're hearing it, so it's very important, which is why I love that St. Lawrence is doing the wellness summit to help encourage kids to be proactive about their mental health and how they are using self care."
From breakout activities to guest speakers, it all comes down to being proactive about mental health within the student body.
"Understanding that mental health conditions are really common, that they treatable, that there is positives that we experience alongside the difficult times, and also some little skills that everybody can pick up," said Ben Frank, chief wellness officer with NAMI Chicago, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting mental health care and community wellness.
There will also be a fitness class along with breakout activities that include coloring, chess and more.
By the end of the week, Kasandra and Mia have this hope for their fellow students:
"Ultimately, we just want them to know that we are a community, and we are all here to support each other," Kasandra said.
There is so much planned for the entire week, and because this is Leadership Week, come Friday, the Leader of the Year award will be presented to a student at St. Laurence.