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This May our school district is hosting a mental health resource fair and presentations for the benefit of students and adults in our community. These nights are an important event since mental illness affects large amounts of teenagers and families each year. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, twenty percent of youth 13 to 18 live with a mental health condition and suicide is the third leading cause of death in youth ages 10 to 24. In the fall, at the student exclusive presentations, more than 500 students were in attendance across all grade levels. At the start of the school year our Interact club members chose what our values for the year would be. Many members agreed that mental health in our community should be one of our main focuses.
Our members would like to assist the committee behind these events in raising money for food and supplies for attendees. The committee supplies food for those that attend to encourage a large turn out. Supplies, such as stress balls, small coloring books, and resource material to offer students before school ends in May. The students will be receiving "self-care kits" that aim to help kids be more mindful of their mental health and have the resources they need to find help if necessary. The budget for food and supplies would be greater than $750 dollars for this event since it's such a consistently well-attended night. The $750 dollars this grant would allow us to pay for a good portion of our supplies.
Throughout the rest of March and the month of April our club will raise funds up to $250 dollars. Selling Butter Braids, hosting a bake sale, and partnering with local businesses would help us reach our goal quickly. The $250 dollars our Interact club raises will be spent on filling each student's kit while the other $500 dollars will be spent on food for participants. Members will participate in the week leading up to the event, which is hosted on May 2nd, by organizing activities that promote student attendance such as dress up days and posting flyers around campus to catch their attention. Members are also going to hand out stickers to middle school and high school, also in hopes to attract attendees.
This event can save lives and prevent further tragedy much like the loss of a Windsor High School student to suicide in 2016. Our Windsor community has been greatly affected by mental illness and these nights offer hope and important information. Thank you for your consideration.
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