The students at Jenks High School recently embarked on a remarkable journey. The week of December 11-15 was not just another week in their academic calendar; it was a week dedicated to raising awareness about mental health.
The Jenks Student Council shed light on the often misunderstood and stigmatized topic of mental health. The school was abuzz with activities and resourceful luncheons each day, all aimed at educating the students and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health. One of the highlights was the sale of a unique color scheme of the FCS “Tomorrow Needs You” shirt to all Jenks High School students. This was not just a shirt; it was a symbol of solidarity, a beacon of hope, and a reminder that every student mattered.
Emily Farmer, Family & Children’s Services senior clinical director, and suicidologist was thrilled to support the students in this initiative. She admired the students’ proactive approach, noting, “They identified ways to best reach those that may need support – from choosing the topics for the lunch and learns that our school-based supervisors presented on, to choosing daily activities like making bracelets to bring awareness, they really led the way.”
To equip the students with the necessary tools to combat mental health issues, all members of the Jenks Student Council were trained by FCS staff through the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s “It’s Real” suicide prevention curriculum. This training was a testament to the school’s commitment to safeguarding the mental well-being of its students.
The FCS school-based supervisors also hosted two insightful student lunch-and-learn sessions during the week, aptly titled “Journaling 101” and “How to Survive the Holidays”. These sessions provided the students with practical tips and strategies to manage their mental health effectively.
As a token of their participation and a constant reminder of the school’s support, every JHS student received a COPES (Community Outreach Psychiatric Emergency Services) sticker. They also created a “pomp sign” to be hung on a wall at the school, a visual affirmation to remind students that they are loved.
Thus, the week of December 11-15 at Jenks High School was not just a week of learning and activities. It was a week of compassion, understanding and unity. It was a week that reminded everyone that mental health matters, and that every tomorrow needs them.
