Hendrick Hudson High School Unites School Community for Mental Health Awareness Month Through Athletics, Advocacy, and Student Leadership

During the month of May, Hendrick Hudson High School is and will be doing many amazing activities in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month. 

 

On Saturday, April 4, the Hen Hud boys and girls lacrosse teams played for something bigger than the game. The Sailors teamed up with the Eastchester boys lacrosse team and the Colonie girls lacrosse team to play Mental Matchup games in support of the 15 for Life Foundation. 

 

In honor of Rob Kavovit, his family carries the torch of the 15 For Life Foundation, working to shed the shame and stigma surrounding depression and mental health. The foundation’s mission is to better equip people of all ages to understand and recognize depression and mental illness that may affect themselves, family members, and friends.

 

Rob’s siblings, Jeff Kavovit and Kimberly Valerioti, spoke prior to each game about the importance of asking for help. Shawn O’Mara, a senior and member of the Sailors boys lacrosse team, spoke as well, urging others to check in with one another and not be afraid to open up to others, especially when they are struggling. 

 

The games were played with outstanding sportsmanship and skill, all while supporting a cause greater than themselves, their school, and the sport: raising awareness and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health. As stated on the 15 for Life website: “15 for Life…It’s understanding you.”

 

On Monday, April 27th, the Varsity Girls Flag Football team hosted a CODA game against Putnam Valley. Both teams wore green ribbons in their hair along with green wristbands as well as CODA stickers on their flag belts. CODA is a part of the harris project and stands for Co-Occurring Disorder Awareness. CODA is shedding light on the combination of mental health challenges and substance use issues. More than 20 million people have co-occurring disorders but most have never heard of it. 

 

During the Month of May, the Sailors Supporting Sailors and Safe Options for Sailors clubs are hosting activities during lunch periods once a week. On May 6th, there were Stress Relieving activities set up for students to enjoy during their lunch. This included coloring pages, board games, bean bags to relax in while listening to music, mask and bracelet making. All activities were intended so that the students could take a break from the stress of school and studying, even if only for a few minutes. 

 

Each day of May on the morning announcements, a positive mental health quote will be read to the entire high school population. 

 

On May 4th, a group of Sailors Supporting Sailors club members used chalk to write positive messages for fans and student-athletes entering the athletic field. Sayings such as “It’s ok to not be ok”, “Be Strong”, “asking for help is a strength” and “It’s a good day to have a good day”, are  just some of the messages that greeted fans and student-athletes during that week’s athletic events, until rain washed them away. 

 

During NYSPHSAA Mental Health Awareness Week, May 4th-8th, a bulletin board was designated for students to participate in the daily activities provided by NYSPHSAA and stickers were distributed that emphasized each day’s message. 

 

A bulletin board was created by our Student Assistance Counselor, Abigail Zenon, that focuses on taking care of our mental health. (See photo attached)

 

As the month continues to progress, there will be other activities, such as “Chalk the Walk” during lunch periods; a representative from NAMI will be present one day to provide more information about mental illness and how to get help and/or provide help to a loved one in need. 

There will be mental health awareness PSAs at athletic events and hopefully a school wide flag project to symbolize what the students are dealing with each and every day.