World Teen Mental Wellness Day
Winston student, Naia, says that when she’s stressed, she loves talking to Mr. Manny, a Winston counselor, for guidance.
Recognized on Tuesday, March 2nd, World Teen Mental Wellness Day is a time dedicated to raising awareness for teen mental health issues while providing education and resources to students who may be struggling to prioritize their mental health.
According to the American Psychological Association, Gen Z (generally individuals 6-24 years old) has the worst mental health condition of any generation. We hope that by raising awareness about mental health and the importance of self-care, we can provide a safe space for our students. The Winston School is dedicated to providing your student with an exceptional education experience while giving them resources to take care of their mind and body. Please see some of the resources we offer our students below to ensure we are prioritizing mental health.
Occupational Therapy
The Winston School is dedicated to making the Occupational Therapy (OT) program a space where students and staff can learn coping skills when it comes to stress. The OT room is filled with fidgets, a punching bag, a cuddle swing, weights, and numerous games. Occupational Therapist Mrs. Van Gorder sees students throughout the day to check in with them and has specific coping plans for each student. OT allows students to get their body moving or find what works for them to find healthy ways to release tension.
Onsite Counselors
Our school has onsite counselors dedicated to making sure our students have someone to talk to when they feel overwhelmed or need help. The counselors practice different ways to help each student and take the time to get to know them as individuals. This helps tremendously with our students’ mental health and allows them to learn how to cope so that they may grow and take control of their health.
VTO (Virtual Time Out)
Virtual Time Outs (VTOs) are significant to our community here at Winston. A VTO is when a student can take a moment to leave class to get a drink of water, sit in the front office to get some air or see a counselor. This allows students to advocate for themselves when they need a break to regroup and then go back to class.
Sports Teams
Sports and activities are essential when it comes to teen mental health. Sports allow students to cultivate relationships with one another, learn teamwork, and learn new skills. Our latest sports team addition is The Winston School Golf Team, led by Mr. Riley.
Open Communication and Educating on Advocating
The Winston School creates moments for students to self-advocate when they feel overwhelmed, allowing them to feel comfortable telling others how they feel. This is an important life skill that will help our students become better-rounded adults. Students are encouraged to let staff know what they need and how they can achieve this together.