Ravalli County Pop-Up Prevention Exhibit
Anita Wotkyns, Ravalli County Block Grant
In 2021, 34.8% of Ravalli County high school-aged students reported symptoms of past-year depression in the CDC’s Youth Risk Behaviors Surveillance Survey. Because mental illnesses affect the young, with 50% developing illness by age 14 and 75% by age 24, youth are an especially high priority for interventions that increase mental health resiliency and reduce suicide (Kessler, 2005).
Resilience and mental health are closely linked. Strengthening the ability to adapt in the face of adversity can help teens heal more quickly from trauma, depression, anxiety, and other difficult conditions and experiences. Resilient children and resilient teens also have a lower risk of turning to unhealthy coping strategies such as substance abuse, self-harm, eating disorders, or other risky behaviors.
To begin the school year with a focus on emotional wellbeing, a pop-up exhibit featuring mental health facts, tips, and strategies was installed at Stevensville Middle School. The pop-up included resiliency and mental health topics for youth such as:
- Developing a Positive Mindset
- Building strong relationships
- Practicing self-care
- Setting achievable goals
- Practicing problem-solving skills
- Cultivating a sense of purpose
- Seeking support
- Info on 988
The pop-up was installed in the front lobby area of the school. Students, visitors, and school staff are encouraged to visit and interact with the exhibit. Information will be shared in several ways including trivia, media from 988, SAMHSA, and engage.youth.gov.
The two goals of the pop-up exhibit are as follows:
- To encourage the schools and the student body to support one another and to begin a dialogue focused on ending the stigma of mental illness by helping students feel empowered to improve their mental health.
- To develop a sustainable relationship with school administrators. Mental Health and prevention resources will be provided to administrators and school nurse with the long-term goal of strengthening the district’s policy on mental health care and suicide prevention.
Plans will continue to include other Ravalli High Schools and Middle Schools as scheduling allows.
