The Manitowoc Public School District showed students that there are resources for their mental health during a special event.
For a second time, the district held its Community Walk and Resource Fair at Ron Rubick Field, with mental health-based organizations promoting their services.
Elementary School Social Worker Claudia Fischer tells Seehafernews.com that the program is part of May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month.
She has been very busy this year.
“The need for mental health is definitely there, it’s definitely present,” she noted. “And I think it’s increasing and becoming more prevalent. So, I think just an event like this that we can spread awareness and just get that word out there I think will go far for our community.”
Student Services Program Support Coordinator Lynette Simonar says the district wants to help reduce stigma around seeking mental health services support and show that help is out there.
Teachers can help their students as well by applying for a grant created by MPSD’s Community Connections Team.
The grant is for any project submitted by staff that’s not already in the district’s budget.
“So something that’s new and innovative that could be mental health or wellness related,” she explained. “So, it’s kind of a broad spectrum and we’ll see what we get. They’re mini-grants just because we are not sure what we are going to have for funds and how much interest.”
One of the 15 tables at the Community Walk and Resource Fair was Survivors of Suicide Loss. Volunteer Polly Ziniti.
She says while they want to help after someone passes away, they also want to help prevent it.
“We’re expanding,” she described. “We’re going to be some more things in the community with the community so, that’s still developing too.”
NAMI Manitowoc County was also in attendance to talk about what they do. Co-President Sue Shaw says a club called NAMI Raise Your Voice, which meets at Washington Middle School, was created recently and is run by students.
Shaw described, “So it’s all the educational information is provided by NAMI, but they run it, they lead it and they learn a lot about mental illness and help advocate for each other.”
The MPSD Mental Health Community Walk and Resource Fair also had raffle baskets and artwork created by students for the event.
Wave Yoga Studio also hosted a free yoga session on the field for anyone to attend.
