“Breaking the Silence” About Students’ Mental Health

“Breaking the Silence” About Students’ Mental Health

Warwick Education Foundation Grant Funds Presentation on Mental Health for Students

While society may often associate being young as a time of fun and carefree living, the reality is, children and adolescents face many pressures – and many are struggling.  Yet, beginning a dialogue around these issues can be challenging for students.

“Our goal is to help break down the barriers to talking about mental health,” explained Assistant Superintendent Dr. Steve Szobocsan.

Through a grant co-sponsored by the Warwick Education Foundation, the District introduced “Breaking the Silence” — a program for increasing awareness about mental health — to its approximately 300 ninth-grade students in March 2023.  Presented by Byrnes Health Education from York, PA, the assembly shared factual information to dispel misconceptions and help students recognize if someone they know is grappling with mental health challenges.

Key questions addressed in the presentation included:

• What is mental illness?
• What is a stigma and how can you break it?
• What are the signs and symptoms of common mental health disorders?

The Warwick School District takes its students’ mental health needs seriously — it has six counselors serving its high school and middle school students.  By offering a new voice from a third party, they were able to reinforce awareness that mental health issues can affect anyone and do not discriminate.

“We want students to realize that when they let an adult know another student is struggling, they’re helping their friend, not telling on them,” said Szobocasan.

Since the assembly, the District has had an increasing number of students connecting with its counselors to let them know when they notice a fellow student having a difficult time.

“The conversations between our students and our counselors are continuing long after the presentation,” shared Szobocsan.

Thank you to all Warwick Education Foundation donors for your contributions toward this grant and helping to make a positive impact on our students!