Students at Oakland Tech now have access to the newly built Wellness Center, a space designed to support mental health and provide students with the ability to advocate and lead mental health spaces. This Center is located across from the College and Career Center in the basement and allows students to talk to trained students about any challenge or hardships experienced inside or outside of school.
Mental health plays an vital role in the emotions and actions of a day-to-day teenager. At many schools, negative mental health implications are often overlooked as mischief or rebelliousness. Behind the scenes, negative mental health impacts academic success and personal development. As students navigate through puberty, it is hard to maintain a healthy mindset when going through so much at a time. Supporting mental health in schools is not only essential for emotional well being but also for creating a safe and supporting environment.
“We hope [the Wellness Center] is a place that holds the legacy of student advocacy,” Reginald Figgs, the head admin of this program, stated., “Tthis is meant to be a place that is student- serving…designed for students to navigate through their emotions while holding community.”
One effective way schools have addressed mental health issues would be investing in programs that support mental health advocacy. For example Peer-to-peer wellness is a program that is student led with trained students that can handle mental health implications. This program results in an environment for the student that feels more safe and relatable. Students will often feel more comfortable talking about their personal issues with people who have first hand experience.
Oakland Tech is in their first year of this program. “The wellness center has helped me get back on track with classroom issues.” Deron, a peer client states, “In the morning they provide a space for me to do work while we plan out how to navigate some issues I have” This center is a space that supports mental health advocacy throughout all students. This shows a perfect example of a positive impact regarding mental health in school communities. Not only are there trained professional adults but also trained students who have the ability to mentor their fellow peers. This is a space where you confide and release and has shown to be outstanding development moving towards the future that will allow a safe space for generations.
“The goal of this space is to help students navigate their emotions or any conflicts they might have going on,” Sophie Mehouelley, student president of the Wellness Center, shared, “I am proud to be a part of the start…of this legacy that will continue mental health support while giving my peers a chance to take lead in an issue that is normally overlooked.”
The Wellness Center is not restricted to solely mental health, but also issues regarding attendance, transportation, schoolmates, or even outside conflicts. The Wellness Center advertises itself as a safe space for everyone, meant to be used as an outlet for stress and conflict. There are two different sections, one for therapy and conflict and one intended as a lounge area.
As all schools continue recognizing the importance of mental health, Oakland Tech can provide an example of how peer support programs can create a safe space for all students no matter the issue or student.