Ocean City High School Wins Grant To Launch Mental Health Club

OCEAN CITY, NJ — To help students talk through their stress and anxiety, Ocean City High School is launching a new club focused on mental health. The new club is supported by a $1,000 grant provided by the AtlantiCare Healthy Schools, Healthy Children initiative.

Superintendent Kathleen Taylor said the new club offers students the opportunity to lead the programming, discussions and activities on topics of mental health after school hours and virtually.

The club will be affiliated with the Our Minds Matter movement, which aims to change school culture around mental health and provide youth with tools to build and maintain mental and physical health.

“The pandemic has emphasized the need for a student group focused on promoting mental health as many face fear, anxiety, depression and loneliness as a result of the health crisis,” OCHS Wellness Team Leader Jill Berenato said in a release. “The Our Minds Matter club will allow students to gather virtually, if needed, to begin activities immediately after the club is Board approved at the start of 2021.”

The AtlantiCare Healthy Schools, Healthy Children grant will support OMM club leaders in planning activities that reinforce healthy behaviors, including after-school yoga, meditation, guest lectures or workshops to help students develop coping skills to better manage stress and anxiety and to practice self-care.

The OCHS OMM aims to hold monthly activities to promote mental health and wellness to the entire high school community. The club will organize weeklong campaigns a few times throughout the school year focused on one aspect of mental health, such as breaking the stigma around talking about mental health struggles or sharing coping strategies during periods of high stress.

“Our research has shown that this is something our students will certainly benefit from, and this funding will help us move forward quickly, at a time when the need for activities and support systems promoting positive mental health is so great," said Lauren Gunther, OCSD Director of Student Services and Curriculum Coordinator.

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