By: Jewel Dickerman
On April 30, 18 students from Wallenpaupack Area High School’s Aevidum and Leadership and Diversity groups gathered at the Hawley Center for a Mental Health Summit. Organized by Mrs. Lauren McGinnis and Cara-Jean Dougherty, Ph. D., the event promoted open discussions about mental health and explored different ways to support well-being.
The day began with a group yoga session led by Maggie Lehrian. Students Justin Blanding, Tati CampbellAlgerom, Shadow Clarich, Breanna Conklin, Abby Cykosky, Jewel Dickerman, Laila Golshirazi, Alison Guo, Leah Jensen, Kaylee Morgan, Nessa Muller, Samantha Rotolo, Connor Shupe, Michael Soskil, Addie Struble, Soleil Wright, Amiyah Wells, and Isabela Silverstein participated, enjoying the calm and mindfulness that yoga brought to the summit.
Afterward, Maria and Kadriana Martinez from the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) spoke about the varied aspects of mental health. They emphasized that it looks different for everyone, encouraging students to be open about their experiences and seek support when needed. Their presentation fostered a safe space for sharing stories and discussing mental health challenges.
The event was an important step in encouraging conversations about mental health among students, reinforcing the message that it’s okay to talk about mental health and ask for help. The summit’s success highlighted the dedication of Mrs. McGinnis and Dr. Dougherty to promoting mental health awareness in schools.
