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May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the Washingtonville Central School District is promoting mental wellness and providing resources to the community at the fourth annual Wizard Wellness Expo!
Check out photos from the day here!
The event was coordinated by the Washingtonville Teacher Center, alongside several social workers throughout the District. Various high school clubs, such as Wizards Against Cancer and GEMS in STEM also assisted in organizing the event. The objective of this initiative is to educate individuals about the importance of taking care of one's mental health.
“Mental Health Awareness Month is such a huge, important month for kids because they don't know where they can go for help…” said Richard Lepere, health teacher at Washingtonville High School. “There's resources everywhere. Use them to your advantage and reach out for help, because there are people who are willing to help you and guide you through whatever you struggle with.”
Several organizations within the community also participated in the event, such as Country Kids Food Pantry, Rehabilitation Support Services, Merakey, Alcohol & Drug Awareness Council, Orange County Department of Mental Health, Un-stuck Mindset and Child Advocacy Center.
There were a plethora of activities for families to engage in, including creating coping skill tool boxes and positive affirmations stations, bracelet making, gratitude guided stretching, stress management and preventive services. There was also a parent workshop facilitated by Cornell Cooperative Extension, which discussed techniques to support and help calm children down.
“That’s exactly what the Wellness Expo does, it provides more resources and information,” said Ashley Dolson, a mother of two in the District. “It’s always good to share these with your children. It opens the door for conversation about things that they might not know about. It’s really nicely put together every year, my daughter loves to come.”
Collection bins were also available at the event for individuals to donate toiletry items such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, body wish, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, laundry detergent and feminine hygiene products. Donations are still being collected until June 8 at Round Hill and Washingtonville High School, please contact Erin Milteer at emilteer@wcsdk12.org or Michelle Cestaro at mcestaro@wcsdk12.org for more information.
