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Student organizer outlines in-school mental-health group 'Wisdom Eyes' to begin March 5
Summary
Jerrell Farley of Wisdom Minds told the Romulus Community Schools board that the student-led mental-health support program Wisdom Eyes plans to begin weekly meetings March 5 in Room 301 next to the counselor's office to reduce stigma and provide peer support districtwide.
Jerrell Farley, a student and the organizer behind a district peer-support effort called Wisdom Minds, told the Romulus Community Schools Board of Education on Feb. 24 that his new program, Wisdom Eyes, will begin March 5 and meet weekly on Wednesdays in Room 301 next to the counseling office.
"Mental health is not something to be afraid about at all," Farley told trustees, saying the program aims to destigmatize conversations about mental health among students at the elementary, middle and high school levels. He described plans for weekly peer support meetings, and said the group will be a space where students can talk confidentially about stress, athletics, schoolwork and home life.
Farley said Wisdom Minds previously ran a men's support group that reached a meaningful number of participants and that the new weekly program will expand those supports to more students. He called mental illness "an illness" and said talking with peers or a trusted adult can help students cope. He said the group will meet in a location the district identified as Room 301 and that students and staff involved include the school's counselor, Mr. Tucker, and other staff who will serve as referral points.
Farley also said he recently received a "shining star" award from the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network for his work on youth mental-health advocacy, and he reported that a community partner, identified in the meeting as a city employee, had donated posters, bracelets, bottled water and snacks and was exploring placement of a bench in the athletic hallway to provide a quiet resting spot.
Board members responded with praise and asked practical questions about how students should seek help when online harassment or bullying occurs; Farley advised students to "look to the positive things" and encouraged students to seek out a trusted adult in the school when issues escalate. A board member reminded students that they do not need to act as police or administrators and should instead find an adult they trust to report concerns.
What's next: Farley said the program will start March 5, will meet Wednesdays and is intended to be open to students across grade levels. He encouraged students to use existing counselors and staff resources and to come to Wisdom Eyes for additional peer-led support.
