Valley Central students describe Mental Health Awareness Week, link exercise and reflection to wellbeing

Students at the Valley Central School District (Montgomery) described Mental Health Awareness Week in a short classroom presentation, saying exercise, reflection and staying in the “green zone” help them manage emotions and learn.

Student 1, a student, said, "Mental health awareness. I think it's a great thing." Student 2, a student, connected activity to focus: "We get our exercise because walks help us stay in the green zone and we're focused and ready to learn." Student 5, a student, tied mental health to schoolwork: "Because I think we can't learn other things unless our mental health is is in check. And we have so many wonderful ways to make our mental health in check."

Students gave short answers about what the week means. Responses included "running," "staying in the green zone," pausing to ‘‘think about the things that make you happy,’’ and "taking care of yourself." One speaker described the week as time "to stop and pause and relax and calm ourselves down."

The remarks were presented as personal perspectives by students; no formal actions, policy proposals or administrative decisions were recorded in the transcript of the presentation. The segment ran for roughly four minutes and focused on individual strategies students said help their wellbeing, such as exercise, mindfulness and positive thinking.