Met with uplifting messages and the chance to play with puppies, students throughout the Sioux Center School District participated in a series of activities designed to raise awareness for mental health Thursday.
Since 1949, the month of May has been observed as national Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States. Looking to spread awareness of mental health through uplifting activities, the district wellness committee hosted a variety of events throughout the community schools.
The committee started the day at Kinsey Elementary School and the Sioux Center Intermediate School as high schoolers greeted students and handed out fidget toys bearing positive messages. Students at Kinsey and the intermediate school were invited to share uplifting sticky notes and had the opportunity to meet with a licensed therapist and ask questions.
Wellness committee and school board member Yaby Doornink emphasized the importance of educating students on mental health due to its impact on academic success, relationships, confidence and overall development.
“When students learn early that it is OK to talk about feelings, ask for help and practice coping skills, they are more likely to build resilience and develop healthy habits that can benefit them throughout their lives,” she said.
Activities weren’t limited to Kinsey and the intermediate school. Students at Sioux Center Middle School and the high school were also given the chance to pass positive notes and meet with a licensed therapist as well.
At lunch, litters of puppies were brought to the middle school and high school allowing students to take a break and relax with furry friends.
Doornink said the goal of Mental Health Awareness Day is to teach students that mental health is just as important as physical health and academic success.
“We believe our schools should be places where every student feels seen, supported, and encouraged to ask for help when they need it,” she said. “This event is designed to promote kindness, reduce the stigma around mental health, and remind students that they are never alone.”
Beyond the fun of passing out toys and playing with puppies, the wellness committee aimed to foster conversations between students and reduce the taboo of mental health.
“Our hope is that by creating meaningful conversations, offering access to mental health support, and encouraging simple acts of kindness, we can help build a stronger, healthier school community where every student feels supported, valued, and empowered,” Doornink said.
Sixth-grade students Bram Hill, Alexandra Martinez and Greyson VanEngen play with puppies at the Sioux Center Middle School Thursday. As part of Mental Health Awareness day, students got the chance to spend part of the lunch break with puppies and relax.
Sam Bonner
sbonner@iowainformation.com
Role of wellness committee
Beyond Mental Health Awareness Day, the school wellness committee engages in a number of initiatives to support students. Composed of school staff, parents, students and community members, the committee works to promote a healthy school environment.
District food service director Kaimy Roskam explained that the committee oversees the school district’s wellness policy which covers nutrition, physical activity and student and staff wellness.
“The policy also helps schools meet federal requirements for participation in child nutrition programs, such as the National School Lunch Program,” Roskam said. “The overall goal is to improve students’ physical health, mental well-being, readiness to learn and academic performance.”
The wellness committee has hosted a number of events throughout the district. In January they hosted with the high school Key Club a student blood drive. In February, they coordinated an interactive domestic abuse awareness presentation for senior students called In Her Shoes. Then in April, they promoted a contest between students called Battle of the Classrooms in which classes competed to design a nutritional lunch to be served in the cafeteria.
Wellness meetings are open to the public and Roskam encourages parents, students and staff to reach out to her at kaimy.roskam@scwarriors.org for more information.