Students and staff support sound minds: Somerset school provides mental health resources

Making Mental Health Matter

MARYLAND – Since 1949, the United States has recognized May as Mental Health Awareness Month. During this time, the challenges millions of Americans face every day are brought to light. In Somerset County, the community is focusing its attention and resources on this issue in an innovative way.

Staff and Community

Washington Academy and High School have partnered with city officials, law enforcement, advocacy groups, and numerous experts to address the mental health crisis amongst their peers. This crisis, experts say, is not only concerning mental health but other factors that can contribute to mental instability- like substance abuse.

The “Prevent Event 2024” is aimed to reach all teens across the state, and students are a big part of the planning and organizing. Chapter Advisor of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), Lynne Brumley, broke down the demographics of many of the students suffering.

“Talking to my kids in the program, they had a lot of issues at the intermediate age. So sixth, seventh, even into eighth grade. Not as much at high school, but that’s where the experiment of drinking and other things come in.”

Student Involvement

Lynne Brumley informed us why students are involved. “It was easy to get them to be involved because they want to be involved. They want to make change.”

Students on the council say they are helping tackle the crisis head-on – because it’s something they experience all the time. We spoke with youth advocacy board members to gauge the importance of student involvement.

Madalynn Baker, a sophomore, gave her insight- “It kind of makes a difference when there’s like kids involved in like helping the community.”

Ryleigh Sterling, a freshman, describes how she handles peer pressure at school. “They will start off like- hey, let’s be friends. Then they start doing the drugs, and they start drinking, and they start doing all the wrong things, and then it’s like, you just want to do it with them- but at the same time, you have to know what’s right.”

Mental Health Concerns

Youth Advisor Brumley says that mental health issues are directly correlated with substance abuse.

Ryleigh Sterling says mental health is not widely talked about amongst high school students. When it is discussed, most students are not equipped to give the best advice. “You can talk to your friend and be like- hey I’m feeling down, but, if your friend doesn’t know how to deal with that, then it’s kind of just a ‘oh, okay’…”

Sound Minds

The youth advisor went on to describe situations where students wanted to talk about issues affecting them, but the adults they spoke to either disregarded them, ignored them, or didn’t take their concerns seriously. She believes this is a major deterrent for teens and adolescents to speak up and out.

Madalynn Baker stated what she needs from the teachers and adult influences in her life. “I hope that they kind of speak more on mental health and drug use because, I feel that more word should get out.”

H.O.P.E. 

The “Prevent Event 2024” will be held on Thursday, May 16th, 2024, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at Washington Academy and High School. The Harford County Sheriff’s Office have a unique and educational addition to this experience. Their H.O.P.E. House, which stands for Herion Overdose Prevention Efforts, was created to keep children safe from harm and danger and keep parent in the loop. This trailer is set up like a teenager’s bedroom, and parents or guardians will be able to tour the house to gain insight and helpful tips on where their kids may be hiding drugs or paraphernalia.

You must be 18 years or older to take the tour, and officers stress that this is for parents to take preventative measures- ‘good kids can get caught up in bad things.’ There will be over 30 vendors along with the Sherriff’s Office there to support the event and the community.

Attendees are encouraged to wear green in honor of Mental Health Awareness. Organizers say there are many resources to address mental health and substance abuse.

Even if you’re scared or don’t know what to do Ryleigh Sterling says, “There’s always somebody out there that’s willing to hear you.”