Going Green — Raising Mental Health Awareness CCS – The Clanton Advertiser

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In May, PASS Academy staff helped raise awareness of mental health. (Lindsay Payton | Contributed)

Jemison High School staff members wear green to support mental health awareness. (Lindsay Payton | Contributed)

Verbena Elementary School students get mental health awareness tattoos as part of a county-wide initiative. (Lindsay Payton | Contributed)

Clanton Middle School participated in mental health awareness efforts around Chilton County. (Lindsay Payton | Contributed)

All Chilton County schools are displaying mental health awareness flags during the month of May. (Lindsay Payton | Contributed)

Written by Carrie Reeder | Editor-in-Chief

Chilton County Schools, with the help of Mental Wellness Coordinator Lindsey Payton, is raising mental health awareness through fundraisers and activities. Peyton is finishing up her first school year in a newly created position in her district and is marking the year with her May Mental Health Awareness Month, the most important month of her job. I will conclude.

Peyton is also fine-tuning her approach to promote more fundamental health than just mental health, as fundamental health is good for mind, body, and soul.

“If we can address all of these things, we have a solid foundation,” Payton said.

Mental Health Awareness Month is a national event, and Peyton wanted to do her part to make an impact during this important month. She said schools have hung green flags with green ribbons resembling mental health and read “You’re Not Alone,” rallied the county to wear green on Fridays, and every week. A number of activities were planned for Chilton County schools, including selling green glitter face tattoos at schools on Friday. The school also launched its own fundraisers, such as Hat Day, where all money raised by the school went toward providing free counseling.

“We tried to think of ways to (raise awareness) and make it unique across the county,” Payton said. “Schools have been sending us pictures of students with tattoos, and one school even ran out of tattoos and asked for more. They really enjoyed it and so did we. I appreciate the support from administrators and staff at the district level.”

May 13-17 was the most eventful week of Awareness Month, with schools submitting photos of students and staff wearing green to be entered into a drawing for a free staff breakfast. Peyton’s May newsletter was specifically about basic health, and it included statistics stating that one in six of her students will receive a mental health diagnosis. It was being done.

The newsletter also includes details about a partnership in which CCS, Peyton and Peach Jam will host a Foundation Wellness Family Night on June 7 to celebrate efforts to support students and their families. I was there. This evening is open to all residents. However, Payton urges all Chilton County students and their families to attend the free concert with live music by Rhett Walker beginning at 6 p.m.

“It was very encouraging. Of course, when you start something new, you don’t often want people to support your cause, but it feels like the county has come together,” Payton said. Ta. “Raising awareness and sharing it widely will help students struggling with mental health feel included and feel less alone. It also helps sexual students and staff feel more comfortable speaking up and reaching out to someone to let them know that something is going on and that they need to talk.”

Peyton hopes to expand Chilton County’s Mental Health Awareness Month each year to include businesses and others.