Written by Kathryn Burke, Staff Writer
As Finals approach, the Wellness Center reassures AP students by providing helpful ways to manage stress.
The week before break, the Wellness Center had its Peer Educators give presentations to AP classes in hopes of helping students recognize ways to manage stress. The presentation allowed students to discover ways to recognize signs of stress or panic attacks, while also giving Peer Educators a chance to connect with their peers and spread awareness on mental health.
The presentation consisted of slides describing how stress affects the body-the physical, emotional, and mental aspects. It was clarified that finding ways to cope with stressful times is important to build relationships and handle future events. A video was shown to demonstrate how stress looks, and display healthy coping mechanisms to use as a way to surpass it. When talking to one of the coordinators, Mrs. Alma, she shared her hopes for students to learn new skills that bring self-awareness to their stress levels. With this, it is important to note that there are unhealthy coping mechanisms, but there are much healthier substitutes. As for future times that concern stress management and mental health awareness, the Wellness Center plans to hold other events or booths to promote such awareness of feelings, especially while approaching finals. (Picture of a slide that lists people to go to on campus. Description: No one should have to feel alone!)
There are many people and programs on campus to go to for help or even just a space to relax and take one’s mind off things. There is the staff, the NAMI club, the Wellness Center counselors, and the Peer Educators.
The presentation included a little icebreaker game, where students were asked to name things in their lives that caused stress. When students participated, they were given a little stress toy in the shape of a heart. This activity got many students to stay involved and focused.
Through these presentations, the Wellness Center and Peer Educators hope to reach students with their message, encouraging them to take time away from their studies to reflect on their health.