The Spot Community Action Team with the help of Thrive Youth Prevention Coalition have developed a project to promote awareness for Mental Health Resources, especially for youth. The project is called “RAISING HOPE” After attending Tennessee Teen Institute for prevention training, in June, 2024, the students agreed that there has been a rise in mental health issues among adolescents. Their observation is that it can be difficult to ask for help or know where to start for mental health resources. This often leads to substance abuse by self-medicating or unhealthy coping skills. Both Gordonsville and Smith County high school students have planned and developed this project to help their peers. Their idea is that we can reduce substance abuse by increasing access to mental health resources. In the plan they developed, the students suggested that initially they would like to place a plant stand with plants they have grown, at each high school, and one at each walking track. These plant stands would also contain positive messages of encouragement and posted signs containing mental health resources such as the 988, Suicide Prevention Line, and the Tennessee Redline number: 1-800-889-9789. They have joined with many community partners to include the Smith County School system and Local Master Gardeners and have met monthly to plan and develop this community project. Guidance Counselors and the SADD clubs at both high schools were consulted and felt this would be a project to bring awareness to mental health needs for teens. The Master Gardeners designed the plant carts and provided the materials for the students to build the stands. They also researched the types of plants and provided the seeds and containers for the students to plant. By May 1, the plants were beautiful and thriving and the carts just needing a few last details. Many of these plants are Native to Tennessee. All plants were started/planted by the Student Prevention team at the Spot.
Youth and Family Resource Network, “The Spot,” supports mental health in the community by providing a social/emotional curriculum to Smith County Schools, and in our After School Program. It is our goal to offer youth and families mentoring and support, to build stronger families and a healthy community.
With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, the students have been working hard to get these into place as soon as possible. We met with the SADD club students and Sponsor, on, May 13 to place the very first “Raising Hope” stand at SCHS. We are so thankful for the community support as our youth use their skills to offer compassion and empathy to their peers and connect to our community.
For more information about being involved with this or other “SPOT” projects, you can check out our website (youthandfamilyresources.org); find us on facebook for upcoming events; or stop by to see what we do. Parents are always welcome. Middle and High School students meet at the Spot on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings. The Spot will be open throughout the summer with positive youth events that include free music and art workshops and always lots of food! Adult Recovery Meetings are held on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to strengthen families! There is always something positive happening at “The Spot.”
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