Mental Health Initiative
To help address the rising mental health needs of high school students, the Park Ridge Kiwanis Club has partnered with our local high school district on a “Mental Health Care Kit” Project. The District 207 School-Based Health Center team found these kits to be exceptionally helpful as a therapeutic tool to support teens who screen high risk. Kits contain journals, affirmation cards, relaxation exercises, mental health resources and contact information for outreach and intervention.
Three kit assembly events will occur during the school year and yield the creation of 300 Teen Mental Health Kits. School-Based Health Center staff will distribute these kits to D207 students at Maine East, South, and West as part of their 1:1 direct counseling and intervention and orientation to targeted groups within the school including but not limited to Freshmen, students receiving IEPs, support clubs like the mental health and suicide awareness club and Key Club. Participants in kit assembly events will include Key Club students, Kiwanians, D207 School-Based Health Center students and staff and other leaders in the community.
Three kit assembly events will occur during the school year and yield the creation of 300 Teen Mental Health Kits. School-Based Health Center staff will distribute these kits to D207 students at Maine East, South, and West as part of their 1:1 direct counseling and intervention and orientation to targeted groups within the school including but not limited to Freshmen, students receiving IEPs, support clubs like the mental health and suicide awareness club and Key Club. Participants in kit assembly events will include Key Club students, Kiwanians, D207 School-Based Health Center students and staff and other leaders in the community.
Kiwanis of Park Ridge manages and purchases all supplies required for this initiative. Each assembly event also includes education on teen mental health with examples of how each item within the kits can support mental health.
We are excited to broaden student, parent, and community awareness, education, and access to practical and vetted teen mental health tools. Our ability to provide this support takes place because of Community Partners who share our passion to HELP KIDS BE THEIR BEST SELVES.
If you or someone you know are interested in supporting this project, please contact us at KiwanisPR1980@gmail.com. Every level of financial support makes a huge difference in the lives of KIDS!
Thank you for helping us inspire others to support this initiative.
