Now more than ever, it is time to discuss and bring awareness to mental health. Our mental health plays a huge role in our well-being and impacts all aspects of our daily life. Unfortunately, there may be stigma around mental health, therefore, by teaching and raising awareness within our school communities, we can lessen the stigma and ultimately provide more students and their families with the resources and support they may need.
During the month of May, schools throughout the Newark Board of Education recognized Mental Health Awareness Month through a variety of educational programs and experiences. At Benjamin Franklin, students and staff wore t-shirts and participated in a poster contest. At other schools in the district, students and staff infused SEL lessons into the general education program, created bulletin boards to promote positive mindset and healthy self-talk, as well as, provided daily PSA announcements offering the definition of mental health terms and made available school wide resources.