TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — A special event to kick off Mental Health Awareness Month took place at Terre Haute North High School Friday.
Students got to ditch the cafeteria and spend their lunch on the football field as a part of an event put on by the Bring Change 2 Mind Club.
Amanda Higgins, teacher at Terre Haute North and sponsor of the club, said this event is put on twice a year and gives students an extended lunch break before finals exams.
“Burn off some steam, get them outside, get them doing something fun before finals and the stress of AP exams”, Higgins said. “We also want to celebrate the seniors before they leave.”
Lexi Hollowell, a junior at Terre Haute North and club president, said Bring Change 2 Mind is a national club that aims to fight stigmas around mental health.
“We don’t really talk about our own personal mental health a whole lot in the club, it is more about bringing attention to it and making sure that it is becoming more generalized knowledge and that we know more about it”, Hollowell said.
Hollowell said she joined the club after battling mental health problems of her own.
“I joined this club because I was struggling really bad with my mental health, and I just heard mental health organization and decided I was going there”, Hollowell said. “I joined the club, and it has been lots of fun.”
Higgins said this event, each year, is a favorite among students.
“The national club does a survey and the number one response, the event that they look forward to the most, is the outdoor lunch event”, Higgins said.
Other vendors and community partners were also involved at Terre Haute North Friday, including Catholic Charities, Mental Health America, and the Hamilton Center.
