It’s okay if you’re not okay.
That’s the message delivered Wednesday at Riverside Middle School in Taylor. More than 20 agencies and nonprofit organizations came together for a mental health fair organized by students.
“It’s okay to talk about how you’re feeling. It’s okay to ask for help,” said senior Matthew Alfieri. “You know, everybody needs that sometimes. And we want our kids to always know that.”
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, several grants have allowed the district to add extensive counseling services. In addition to traditional school counselors, students have access to licensed professional counselors and outpatient services supervised by psychiatrists.
JT Yarem, the district’s counseling director and crisis counselor, said people have realized the importance of mental health during the pandemic.
“It’s not a socio-economic issue. It’s not a gender issue. It’s not a racial issue,” Yarem said. “And we needed to find a way for people to feel more comfortable asking for help, and actually finding help.”
As the stigma around mental health has begun to fade at Riverside, the number of students seeking help has increased: Last year, almost 20 percent of students sought help for mental health issues.
Recent studies have shown that cases of anxiety, depression and suicidal behavior have decreased since adding support, Yarem said.
“We’re seeing really great results across the board in our district,” Yarem said. “I think it’s a testament to all of the counselors that we have here and the great job they’re doing and the support they’ve received from the district and the community.”
The Pennsylvania Crime and Delinquency Commission visited Riverside last week to highlight the district’s work on mental health and the impact of the grant.
A growing number of schools are starting Aebidum programs. Derived from the Latin phrase “I’ve got your back,” Aebidum is a national, youth-led movement that aims to foster a culture of empathy, acceptance and support within schools.
Riverside started the Aevidom program last year, and this is the second year students have organized a mental health fair during Mental Health Awareness Month.
“This teaches us kids, but also the little kids, to always stand up to each other when it comes to bullying and things like that,” said senior Starrett Cabral. “Hopefully these kids get a chance to see it today.”
Students in grades 1, 2, and grades 7 through 12 visited the fair and received information such as brochures and pens.
Kathy Wallace, representing the Northeast Suicide Prevention Initiative, presented students with butterflies, a symbol of hope.
Wallace has been involved with the organization for more than 10 years and has seen the conversation around mental health change in that time.
“Stigma isn’t as strong as it used to be,” Wallace said. “It’s still hard to ask for help. That’s why we say: ‘If you see someone in need, help them. Don’t wait to ask for help.’ But I think things have changed a lot. .”
