For the last few years, OHS Student Council has put on Mental Health Awareness Week. The third annual “Spring Fling” will run May 6 – 10. The week will consist of different events and dress-up days to bring more acknowledgment to mental health.
Throughout the week, there will be dress-up days. Monday is country vs. country club. Tuesday is college wear day. Wednesday is class colors, so freshmen wear yellow for suicide awareness, sophomores wear purple for eating disorders, juniors wear green for depression awareness, seniors wear blue for anxiety awareness and staff are encouraged to wear red to support mental health as a whole. Thursday is teachers vs. students, where teachers dress as students and vice versa. Lastly, Friday is jersey day, or if one is participating in Powderpuff, wear the Powderpuff shirts.
Mental health has been a growing topic in recent years, and it is something that is so important to be addressed and talked about. It is crucial for students to understand that people do notice and care. There are people rooting for and supporting them and they are not alone. Student Council Adviser Michaela Kruger said, “The tricky thing with mental health is, because it’s been unfortunately stigmatized in the historical past, I think that oftentimes people feel like they’re alone. And the moment we feel like we’re alone, it feels like we have this extra hurdle to climb.”
Students and staff are eligible to order Mental Health Week merch, including different t-shirt styles saying things like, “It’s okay to talk about your mental health”, “Hug your homies” and “Mental health matters.” The t-shirts cost 12 – 15 dollars, but there are also sweatshirts and crewnecks available for sale. For each sale, four dollars go back to OHS Student Council to continue promoting mental health. The shirts can be bought at Oak Glenn Gear.
The week’s purpose is to bring more awareness to mental health. One event being held will be Powderpuff Football on Friday, May 10. This is something that the school has put on for a long time, but this is the first year it will be tied into Mental Health Week. Powderpuff will start at 6 p.m. It is five dollars to play, and one dollar to watch. After the powderpuff bracket is finished, they will be playing “Remember the Titans” on the football field. The movie is free entry and the concessions will be open.
Another event being held is the Dylan Lauwers Memorial Walk hosted by Thriving Minds on May 19. The walk will be at 6 p.m. where people will start at Morehouse Park, walk to Lake Kohlmier and end back at Morehouse.
This week is meant to raise awareness and break the stigma around mental health. It is to remind students that they are not alone. There are always people and organizations to reach out to for help and support.
