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Student Wellness Advisory Teams

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We believe young people can play a pivotal role in how society – youth and adults – perceives mental illness and to changing generations of misconception and myth about an illness that affects nearly everyone in our society. We’ve learned much these past few years through conversations with thousands of young people in schools throughout Central Massachusetts. What we’ve discovered is that many students are eager to learn more about mental and behavioral health, and to share their acquired knowledge with their friends, peers and even their parents!

Student Wellness Advisory Teams are student-led teams established in high schools throughout Central Massachusetts.
Their core focuses are promoting mental wellness and shattering stigma within their community. Student Wellness Advisory Teams receive guidance and instruction from the SHINE Initiative’s Youth Outreach Coordinator. Faculty advisors also play a role to recruit students and to assure that a clear and responsible line of communication is maintained with school administrators.

Through the guidance of the SHINE Initiative, students are encouraged and empowered to create wellness campaigns and activities within their school. These events are fully created and implemented by the young people.

Previous initiatives have included-
– Making and distributing “Stress-Less Kits” for 2,000+ students- these kits included “Quick Tips” to improving your mental health, a two-minute meditation and a few other items
– Refresh Days- periods of time during school days where students can participate in relaxation activities such as aromatherapy, make your own calming jars, make your own stress pets, and participating in a positivity chalk mural
– Poster Contest- using their creativity, create posters promoting mental wellness and awareness
– Caregiver Forums- students share with caregivers what it is like to live with a mental disorder
– Health Fair Tabling- students research topics to educate their peers during their school’s health fair

Teams meet each month (September-May) at the students’ respective schools at a convenient time for students and advisor.

To read more about our Student Wellness Advisory Teams click here or on the image of the brochure.
If you would like to establish a Student Wellness Advisory Team (SWAT) at your school, contact Paul Richard at (978) 870-1494 or prichard@fidelitybankonline.com or
Megan Sullivan at (978) 870- 1498 or msullivan@fidelitybankonline.com.
 

  • Students from Leominster High School assembled 2,000 Stress-Less kits to help their peers reduce their stress before midterm exams.
  • Students from Leominster High School participate annually in their school's health and wellness fair.
  • Bancroft School's SWAT organized Refresh Day in order to promote taking care of yourself and refreshing one's mind.
  • Fidelity Bank hands out ice cream to the students at Bancroft School on Refresh Day.
  • The winners of Monty Tech's poster contest to promote the awareness of mental illness and overall mental wellness.
  • Students joined the SHINE Initiative at our annual Keep Your Mind OPEN Gala and spoke with the keynote speaker Paul Dalio.
  • Students From Shepherd Hill Regional High School Created posters to inform the students about their SWAT.
  • Our SWATs and local schools gather to speak with legislators and policy makers to discuss mental health and their schools.
  • Makaylah Vallaincourt valiantly shared how student supports at Monty Tech have helped her overcome her mental illness.
  • Students convened for our second annual Student Mental Wellness Summit where they interacted with their peers from surrounding SWATs.
  • Laura Murphy addresses students on transitioning to college and student supports available in most college at our annual Student Mental Wellness Summit.
  • Makaylah Vallaincourt valiantly shared how student supports at Monty Tech have helped her overcome her mental illness.

 

The SHINE Initiative has Student Wellness Advisory Teams in the following schools

  • Auburn High School
  • Bancroft School, Worcester
  • Bromfield School, Harvard
  • Fitchburg High School
  • Grafton High School
  • Leominster High School
  • Lunenburg High School
  • Marlborough High School
  • Monty Tech, Fitchburg
  • Saint John’s High School, Shrewsbury
  • Shepherd Hill Regional High School, Dudley
  • SkyView Middle School, Leominster
  • Tantasqua Regional Senior High School, Fiskdale
  • Wachusett Regional High School, Holden

Recent Articles

  • Tanya Brown to keynote SHINE Initiative gala on October 18th
  • SHINE Initiative ART CONTEST!
  • Bromfield School students take time out for mid-winter ‘refresher’
  • SHINE across the community
  • Many Faces of Our Mental Health: A Public Conversation-Starter

Article Archives

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