You Matter: Mental health fair at Staunton High is free, open to public

Staunton High School and Shelburne Middle School have partnered to host a You Matter Mental Health Fair from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, October 28, 2024, at the high school.

October is a month to raise awareness of anti-bullying, mental wellness and substance abuse prevention, and the event aims to raise awareness of the actions and resources students and families can take to support their mental and physical health.

The You Matter Mental Health Fair will feature informational booths, presentations and interactive activities designed to educate attendees about mental health resources, support services, and strategies for maintaining overall well-being. Representatives from local mental health organizations, counseling services and community support groups will be on hand to provide valuable information and answer questions.

“We are excited to host the You Matter Mental Health Fair in collaboration with Shelburne Middle School,” Staunton High Principal Tammy Lightner said. “Our goal is to create an open and supportive environment where students, families and community members can learn about the resources available to them and find the support they need to prioritize mental wellness. We’re also building on a powerful drug prevention awareness campaign that we started at the middle and high schools last year, and we are working even harder this year to help safeguard our students from the dangers of illicit drugs.”

The event will also highlight the importance of preventing illegal drug use and promoting healthy lifestyle choices. Parents will have the opportunity to participate in an activity called Hidden in Plain Sight, where they tour a mock teenager’s bedroom to discover how drugs and alcohol can be hidden in commonplace items. The goal is to engage families in taking proactive measures to prevent substance abuse.

“We believe that by coming together as a community, we can make a meaningful impact on the well-being of our students and families,” Shelburne Middle Principal Lisa Warren said. “It’s important that we start well before high school to reinforce the importance of kindness to each other, being upstanding citizens and maintaining physical and mental wellness.”

You Matter Mental Health Fair is free and open to the public, but registration is required online. Staunton High School is at 1301 N. Coalter St., Staunton.