'Chalk Message Project' Highlights 2 Weeks Of Mental Health Awareness At Ocean City High School

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Students at Ocean City High School are participating in a series of activities designed to raise mental health awareness that culminate with World Mental Health Day on Tuesday, Oct. 10, the school district announced. The events, which include the school’s third annual Chalk Message Project, span a two-week period.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 20 percent of the country’s youth, ages 13-18, live with a mental health condition, and half of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14. These conditions range from anxiety and eating disorders to major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.

“The only shameful thing about mental illness is the stigma attached to it,” Ocean City Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Taylor said. “Those who suffer with this sort of disorder often feel isolated and hopeless. Our school’s activities will enhance our students’ understanding of mental health and give them crucial skills, support and resources to deal with any challenges they encounter.”

Ocean City High School’s program began with a ‘14 Days to Positive Mental Health Challenge.’ Students signed a pledge to complete a different daily activity – from a social media sabbatical to creating lists of long-term goals — designed to boost mood, build resilience and increase happiness.

Other events include a Youth Helpline, Hip Hop Yoga, and a celebration day with healthy snacks, information sessions and relaxation games designed to release stress. The highlight of the school’s Mental Health Awareness program will be the Chalk Message Project.

This extension of the “You-Are-Loved Chalk Message Project,” which got its start as a suicide prevention initiative on college campuses, encourages students, teachers and faculty to create uplifting chalk messages of hope and kindness on the school’s walkways.

“By providing these opportunities for students to talk about mental health issues, our school is working to break down the barriers that exist between help and those who need it,” Taylor said. “We will continue to look for ways to expand the depth and breadth of our mental illness awareness programs for the benefit of all our students.”

The attached images were provided.