By: Stacie Nessa, Shine Light on Depression Ambassador
Shine Light on Depression creates multiple avenues for educators, students, and communities to gain awareness of mental health language and skill sets to combat tough moments. You may believe this can be a daunting task, but Iowa’s Shine Light on Depression Ambassador, Stacie Nessa, highlights an Iowa middle school educator who shows otherwise.
Cassandra Cruz supports Tier 3 students and families at one of the largest middle schools in Des Moines, Iowa. As Cassandra navigated the barriers of implementing a depression and anxiety curriculum in her school, she stated, “I knew I could use some of the resources from Erika’s Lighthouse in public spaces that would help destigmatize mental health”. Cassandra posted flyers located on Erika Lighthouse’s resource portal, in public spaces for students, staff, and everyone who comes in those spaces. These flyers found on the resource portal gave students positive coping mechanisms, facts about mental health, and encouragement to speak out if they needed help. Cassandra stated. “It looks like it is a small step, but the flyers led to many conversations with students, staff, and adults who come in the building.”
Cassandra felt that her role doesn’t necessarily have the ability to impact their school’s multi-tiered systems of support, she was able to pull resources from Erika’s Lighthouse that help her community destigmatize mental health. Cassandra concluded, “The flyers also may open a door for someone to ask for help or ask for more information about their feelings, and not feel so alone.”
When working with youth and educators, it is important that we create environments that feel safe, engaged, challenged, and supported. Something as small as a sign that states, “Mental Health is just as important as Physical Health”, could be the defining moment for seeking hope and care. Small steps can make giant strides in enhancing awareness of depression and anxiety in our school communities.
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