Anxiety, stress and depression seem to go with being a teenager.
But asking for help when those things become debilitating requires a little more effort. Sometimes a lot more effort.
A local group is working to overcome the stigma that often keeps people from asking for help with mental health problems.
“People try to hide their behavioral health and mental health issues and feel they can’t talk about it. We’re encouraging empathy, self-advocacy and compassion,” said Rebecca McGee, student services supervisor at the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit.
McGee is co-director of STEP UP Westmoreland, an initiative of the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit that advocates for student mental health and access to mental health services. STEP UP stands for Students, Therapists, Educators and Parents United in Prevention.
The countywide student mental health advocacy network is young but making strides in its mission to overcome the stigma around mental health, McGee said.
On Saturday, April 25, STEP UP Westmoreland is holding a “Stomp Out the Stigma” walk at Twin Lakes Park (Lower Lake) as a way to raise awareness and support for local mental health services. The walk begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 12:30 p.m.
“We are specifically targeting stress and anxiety, suicide prevention, trauma-informed care and self-advocacy,” McGee said.
Self-advocacy means being able to identify the problem and then ask for help, McGee explained. “It’s really important for kids to be able to say, ‘I need help’ or ‘I’m not OK’ ” she said.
McGee defined trauma-informed care as care that is attentive to the trauma someone has suffered.
“In the case of a survivor of sexual abuse, the way people would interact with you would be different than with other people,” she said.
The Westmoreland Intermediate Unit launched STEP UP Westmoreland last year after receiving an Act 44 grant of $323,000. The grant is effective through June 30, 2021, and the unit has applied for a second Act 44 grant that would take the program into 2023.
State lawmakers established the competitive grant program in the wake of the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting that claimed 17 lives in Parkland, Fla. It challenged Pennsylvania schools to compete for grants to pay for programs designed to enhance school safety.
“This is our method of improving school safety and security by focusing on the mental health aspect,” McGee said.
In addition to monthly meetings and special programs, STEP UP Westmoreland sought the involvement of students from Westmoreland County school districts. Students attend monthly meetings, serve on committees and volunteer at STEP UP Westmoreland events.
“The students take information back to their districts and disseminate it to kids and counselors. A few districts have developed student support clubs,” McGee said.
At Norwin High School, senior Austin Kellar is one student who’s been active with STEP UP Westmoreland, including serving on the “Stomp Out the Stigma” walk committee.
“We’re there to show them a student’s perspective on mental health,” Kellar said. “We go because they want student opinions and student thoughts.”
Kellar also is vice president of the Norwin High School chapter of Aevidum, a mental health awareness club. Aevidum, which organizers say is Latin for “I’ve got your back,” was started at Cocalico High School in Lancaster County in 2003 after a student committed suicide — and has since spread to other school districts.
At the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year, the Norwin High School Aevidum held a “Slam the Stigma” event in which other Westmoreland County schools learned about starting their own clubs, Kellar said.
The STEP UP Westmoreland website has a “Just for Students” section that includes student-produced videos on issues such as bullying and drug abuse. The website also has an “Ask the Expert” section that includes videos on issues such as suicide prevention and self-injurious behavior.
Registration deadline for the “Stomp Out the Stigma” walk is April 3. Cost is $15 and includes a T-shirt and bracelet.
The event also will include vendors, food and music by a DJ.
Stephen Huba is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Stephen at 724-850-1280, [email protected] or via Twitter .
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Mental health awareness is focus of STEP UP Westmoreland group - Tribune-Review
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