Plainville Pep Club Shines Light on Depression During Football Matchup

Fall is amongst us, and with that comes pep rallies, Friday Night Football games, and bonding with family and friends who cheer on their favorite team, band, and supporting cast! As fans, parents, and students we give our utmost energy and support trying to rally our teams to victory on the field, and we should also continue our encouragement off the field. In this blog, you’ll read of students who exemplified what it meant to be the #1 fan of mental health awareness and education in their school community!

Every week, Kansas’s Plainville High School Pep Club chooses a theme for Friday night games. Recently, Kansas SLOD Ambassador, and high school health teacher Reisa Rudman, taught Erika’s Lighthouse Level 2: Depression Awareness and Level 3: Depression Education & Suicide Awareness in class, the stigma of mental health became a topic of discussion in many classrooms in the following weeks. Led by four Pep Club co-captains, they chose the theme for the October 20 game to reflect on this ongoing challenge in today’s youth. The theme was “Light in the Darkness”, and all the pep club members wore neon and bright colors to the game. Community members and high school students alike were reminded that seeking help should not come with a stigma. 

The pep club theme brought attention and encouraged high school students to attend the youth rally, held the next day to bring light to stigma surrounding mental health. The pep club is considering this to be an annual theme to keep the conversation about the importance of students’ mental health as a main topic for discussion. 

Shining light on depression can be done in numerous ways, with every stakeholder having a place to intersect. Peers incorporated the importance of supporting the whole student and their needs as they navigate academics, sports, and skillsets. We know that breaking the stigma and increasing awareness can be done. Learn how the free turnkey curriculums and activities by Shine Light on Depression can start a healthy conversation in your school community around mental health.