Lawrenceville Marks Mental Health Awareness Month

Lawrenceville is marking Mental Health Awareness Month with a series of events and resources planned throughout the month for all community members.

 

Last week, students were invited to participate in Bunn Library’s weekly Wellness Wednesdays activities, creating individual terrariums on the Bath House patio. Every Wednesday students can choose from a variety of activities to foster mindfulness and provide calming activities, from a tea station, a guided meditation “Zenimal,” a light therapy lamp, aromatherapy, squishmallows, and relaxing music, games, and crafts.

 

 

On Friday, May 5, the student Wellness Council hosted a movie screening of Disney's “Encanto,” with a discussion on healthy coping skills led by council members, and on Monday, students took advantage of the beautiful weather on a class-free Head of School Holiday. These offerings, as well as general wellness tips on the topics of joy, sleep, and overall health, will be available to community members throughout the month.

 

 

“Mental health is essential to our overall health and wellbeing,” said Dr. Tonita Balcom, director of Counseling and Psychological Services. “We know that when community members have a voice in defining wellness and what it means to be healthy, we are better positioned to achieve our mission of inspiring the best in each to seek the best for all.”

 

This year’s annual Community Day celebration will also include a number of wellness-themed workshops. Established in 2013, Community Day is an annual all-school event designed to share the diverse interests of our Lawrenceville Community. Employees and students are encouraged to expand their experiences by participating in activities dedicated to strengthening the bonds of community unique to our institution.

 

Wellness-related workshop topics include mindfulness, healthy social media usage, building a community of care, wellness through the art of dance, and community-building through Circle Practice, among other topics.

 

Additionally, community members can access Wellness Resources on Veracross providing other systems of support, including a link to the JED Mental Health Resource Center. JED offers tips on a variety of feelings and situations, and encourages open discussion of mental health.

 

 

Lawrenceville’s Human Resources department is also sharing tips and resources for employees from MyLifeExpert and the Penn Medicine Employee Assistance Program (EAP), health and wellbeing webinars, and the Mindfulness Coach app. Human Resources is offering several wellness items, including vegetable/herb seed packets, lavender/cedar sachet bags, eye masks, bath bombs, lip balms, and water bottles.