'You don't have to do this alone': Gettysburg Area schools expand peer support for mental health

According to the CDC, 40% of high school students experience persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.

‍

At one Susquehanna Valley school, students and teachers are working to bring mental health to the forefront of the conversation.

‍

Social workers and peer programs expand support

Social workers were just hired for every building in the Gettysburg Area School District, and there are student-focused clubs that help with everything from easing first-day worries and finding where your class is to connecting people with the right resources in a mental crisis. These initiatives are funded in part with money from the state for student mental health and school safety.

‍

"I think what this group of students is showing us is that it's brave to actually take that step and talk to somebody," said Dr. Carrie Rowe, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Rowe took a tour of Gettysburg Area High School and spoke with students on Monday afternoon.

‍

Gettysburg Area High School Principal Jeremy Lusk described the critical role social workers play in addressing students' needs.

‍

In the past three years, GASD has been awarded about $500,000 in funding from the state. That money also goes towards the Warrior Ambassador Club and the Hope Squad. They are two programs that provide peer-to-peer support, including finding classes on the first day of school or reaching the right resources when in a mental health crisis.

‍

"Mental health is something that really can make or break your school experience," Sarah Rice, a senior, said. "I've struggled with anxiety and similar issues throughout my time in middle and high school, and having people who are there as support networks for me throughout the time has really been super helpful because without a support network, it can be really difficult just to move forward with the little things."

Students foster a supportive school community

The Hope Squad, in particular, focuses on empowering students and fostering support. Jy'miere Anderson, a member of the Hope Squad, shared a poem that read, "Stay. Don't give up. Stay. Stay for the joys yet to come. Stay for the version of you that would be so proud of how far you've gone. Stay."

‍

Trends show mental health among students is improving overall, a trend leaders say they want to see continue.

‍

"I think what we're trying to do now, both the administration here at the school district and also the governor, by setting aside the money to fund these programs, is say, you don't have to do this alone," Rowe said.

‍

Students like Sarah Rice and Ian Goldman-Smith expressed optimism about the programs' impact. "Having that conversation and spreading awareness about it is a super integral step to creating a community where everyone feels welcome," Rice said. Goldman-Smith added, "It's really cool to see how the climate of the school includes people who want to be involved to make a change."

‍

Originally published at https://www.wgal.com/article/gettysburg-area-schools-expand-peer-support-mental-health-help/74039359