November 21, 2024

Student Organized Assembly Emphasizes the Importance of Mental Health at Mira Costa

Junior Jenna Lee Leopard helps organize the mental health assembly on May 25th in the Mustang Mall in order to speed awareness of the importance of mental health to students. Leopard's friend, Junior Kyra Ahrens helped run the coloring booth. Photo by Anya Gore

Anya Gore

Staff Writer

Junior Jenna Lee Leopard organized the Mental Health Awareness assembly
during office hours on May 25th at the Mustang Mall to celebrate Mental Health
Awareness Month.

During the assembly, there were several tables scattered throughout the
Mustang Mall. Each table included an activity such as origami, coloring, chalk art and
handing out flowers. Music was also played on the Mustang Mall stage.

Junior Giovanna Ortiz hands out flowers and gives students an opportunity for students to write positive notes to one another. “Mira Costa acknowledges mental health by allowing students to put together events like these. Also, Mrs. Allen, one of our school psychologists is trying to set up peer counseling for next school year,” said Ortiz.

“Art gives people a chance to express their emotions in a healthy way,” said
junior Kyra Ahrens, who ran the coloring table. “If you’re mad you can scribble out those
negative emotions.”

According to Ahrens, mental health is taken very seriously by the staff at Costa.
Students are often given surveys about personal well being on campus and have free
access to school psychologists or meetings with counselors throughout the school day.

Sophomore James Zhang was one of many students to decorate the Mustang Mall with chalk art. Art has been proven to be a healthy way to express emotions.

“Mental health is taken seriously at Costa because it is a prominent issue that
affects everyone,” said Leopard. “This assembly will add to the positivity of the school
as a whole.”

According to Leopard, this is the first time an interactive mental health awareness
assembly was held at Costa. According to Ahrens, around 200 students appeared at the
Mustang Mall to participate in the activities.

Junior Lily Boettcher and sophomore James Zhang prepare to decorate the Mustang Mall with a variety of chalk art.

“Writing these notes and handing out flowers will help people feel nice and love
themselves more, as well as sharing their love for others,” said junior participant Joseph
Frayman.

In one of several tables, Juniors Jenna Lee Leopard and Kyra Ahrens provide markers and coloring pages for students to take during the assembly.

One way Costa provides help to mental health is with Office Hours on Tuesdays
and Thursdays. Students have an hour of Office Hours, which provides them with a
break, meet with staff, socialize or catch up on work.

“I think Mira Costa has been trying to give more attention to mental health, and
some teachers definitely understand,” said junior Lily Boettcher. “In my opinion, office
hours and interactive assemblies like this one leave a greater impact on students than
videos and surveys do.”

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