KAUKAUNA, Wis. (WBAY) – This week, Kaukauna High School is adding a splash of lime green to its signature school colors of orange and black.
It’s part of an initiative to bring awareness to students’ mental health.
It’s called Go Lime Green for Mental Health, and it’s in partnership with the National Alliance on Mental Health or NAMI Fox Valley.
It’s really about getting kids to feel comfortable seeking out help if they’re struggling emotionally.
Survey shows 40% of students report anxiety problems
According to a Youth Risk Surveillance Survey, in 2023 just over 40% of high school students who participated in the survey reported significant problems with anxiety.
This week, students are wearing lime green and participating in a variety of activities, learning coping strategies and who they can talk to for help.
Students we spoke with say pressure to get good grades, excel in sports and maintaining a social life can become overwhelming.
“Everyone tends to think no one else is going through what they went through. When we come together and show that our mental health does matter and we do struggle with things like anxiety and depression, it allows others to think maybe it is OK that I’m feeling like this and I can go and talk to someone,” said Peyton Van De Loo, a student at Kaukauna High School.
Initiative aims to erase stigma around seeking help
Go Lime Green for Mental Health aims at erasing the stigma so kids feel comfortable seeking out that support.
“The earlier someone seeks out treatment for mental health, the better the outcome. We go to all elementary schools and we go to the middle school. The younger the better. Even in 4th grade these students are talking about having anxiety and they may not use the word depression but talk about feeling really sad,” said Megan Zimmerman, outreach program director at NAMI Fox Valley.
The week will wrap up with a boys varsity basketball game against Neenah at home, where both teams will wear lime green shirts for warm-ups. The dance team will also perform wearing lime green as well.
The game is Friday at 7:15 p.m.
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