Two new mental health related curriculums for teachers and students have been introduced this school year, hoping to improve conversations around student mental health and school community. 

A new program called Sources of Strength that was introduced in late February. Sources of Strength is a peer led program that will provide students with healthy coping mechanisms, as well as addressing suicide prevention. 

“Instead of focusing on the bad part of mental illness, it’s giving students strategies, coping mechanisms healthy and positive, to help with mental health crises or issues,” said Natalie Shevlin, AP psychology teacher.

Shevlin, as well as health teacher Mindy McNeely and PE teacher Bethany Nedrow, attended the training for Sources of Strength. If adopted, the program will have student representatives chosen by teachers to help lead the program. 

“It’s about having these peers build a community of trust, so they can go to the adults in the building to help you,” said Shevlin. 

Wayfinder, a curriculum replacement for Character Strong, may also be adopted and taught during Pace Time. 

“We are currently considering a different option for the high school level,” said Brian Crawford, assistant principal. “Both high schools gained temporary access to Wayfinder and have explored some of their resources as we try to determine if any changes should be made prior to next year.”

Wayfinder seems to be a stronger contender in place of the controversial Character Strong, which is currently used for elementary, middle, and high school levels. 

“Supposedly, this new program, which we’re thinking about doing next year, is more high school oriented,” said Shevlin.

With the introduction of these two programs, mental health could be addressed in an improved way. 

“The social emotional learning piece of [the curriculums]  we’re going to use next year is addressing building community, and giving students strategies on how to be more successful in school socially and academically,” said Shevlin.