Last week the New York Times published an essay by two Ann Arbor, Michigan high school students about their effort to collect stories from fellow students about  experiences with depression.  They wanted their stories printed in the school newspaper along with their names; the article was blocked from publication by the school administration. The Ann Arbor teens wrote, "... By telling us that students could not talk openly about their struggles, they reinforced the very stigma we were trying to eliminate."

Teens in a Boston suburb created a different avenue for students to discuss anxiety and depression through their senior project. Two of our graduating iGROW teen mentors, Sarah Bradach and Cecilia Milano, along with their friend , Julia Lesnick, collaborated with the  Wellesley high school guidance staff to lead  discussions, complete with  video clips, to help teens:

1) cope with life's worries in healthier ways, 

2) recognize anxiety or depression and 

2) be comfortable talking about it. 

In order to directly speak with each of over 300 sophomores, they facilitated 25 small groups (each with pre- and post-test surveys). The change in measures evidenced their work increased awareness and reducing stigma. This is important because, before summer begins, it helps each sophomore recognize symptoms and, if needed, to be comfortable asking for help.

The measures also showed in improvement in coping strategies. This is important because anxiety and depression are often preventable. We all cope with  worries, too often with unhealthy methods. The mentors  cited healthier coping methods to exercise  (www.adolescentwellness.org/wellesley).

This is one impressive senior project -  I hope your summer starts as well as mine!

22 kids get healthier coping skills for each case of prevention prevented

During the Winter Blues event, we defined three goals for the year as 'the 22 Project'. People have been incredibly generous and two of three goals are being achieved right now.  Here is an update:

Goal 1

AWI wants to develop training for adults to understand wellness resources available in the form of social media and apps in order for them to become comfortable introducing it to all children.

The virtual Wellness Center (www.mspp.whyville.net) is  within a safe, educational website called Whyville.   Since its launch in June, several thousand kids have found it on their own but we want all kids to find it.  

STATUS - Funded; initial design scheduled in June with the professional staff of The Home For Little Wanderers   

Goal 2

AWI wants to share its wellness toolkit with other  organizations. 

Our teen mentors and consulting psychologists have  practical activities in various formats, from traditional curricula to a virtual world. We now tune them for the needs of other organizations, most recently for the Rotary Wellness Project.  In turn, the Rotary mentors are introducing some activities with the Boys & Girls Clubs.  AWI is now working with Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD).

STATUS - Funded; design underway with the SADD National Student Leadership Council to develop toolkit elements in their unique format.

Goal 3

AWI wants schools beyond Massachusetts to implement the Boston Children's Hospital curriculum for grade 8-12, Break Free From Depression.    

It is currently implemented in two dozen Massachusetts schools, reaching 3,000 new kids each year. The documentary from this curriculum is used in many more schools to supplement various suicide prevention curricula (the most effective means of preventing suicide is depression prevention; failing that, depression awareness and treatment).