The Mental Health “Break the Stigma” event took over WMS last week. Mrs. Acheson, the head of the Mental Health club, hosted the event to spread awareness. 

Mrs. Acheson explained why she created the mental health club, “I decided to start a mental health club to make everyone feel heard and see that people go through hard times and they don’t realize that there are a lot of resources and there are ways they can take care of themselves.”

Mrs. Acheson clarified what the mental health fair is fundraising for. She stated, “Last year, we used a lot of our proceeds to donate to a family in need who is experiencing mental health concerns that insurance wasn’t covering. This year, we are banking our money for those types of situations.”

A 7th-grade student, Allison Zuber, explained the mental health club and fair, “Ms. Acheson has known me since I was in kindergarten, and she wanted me to join something she thought I would fit into.” Zuber said her favorite station at the fair is “self-care or art therapy.”

Zuber explained what they want to achieve with the Mental Health Fair. She said, “Trying to spread awareness to show people that they are not alone and that there’s somebody if they ever need.”

Kylie Reed, an 8th-grade student, explained why she is a member of the mental health club. “I was one of Mrs. Acheson’s kids, and it was something to do.” Reed said her favorite station at the fair is the “tattoos.” This was a station where students could get a mental health sticker tattoo. 

Reed explained what she learned in the mental health club, “I learned that regardless of the people you are in a club with or have to work with, sometimes it’s best to focus on yourself and keep doing what you know is right for you.” Reed explained how they want to “raise money to better the school.”