Steamboat Springs High School to pause classes for Mental Wellness Day on Friday
Event aims to equip students with coping strategies they can use in school and beyond
Steamboat Springs School District/Courtesy photo
Steamboat Springs High School will pause regular classes on Friday, May 8 for a Mental Wellness Day, a program focused on mental health, resilience and connection among students and staff, according to an April 7 news release.
The event came to fruition as a result of student-led conversations — as well as surveys, focus groups and feedback sessions with the Schecky Youth Wellness Initiative — that ultimately called for more time dedicated to emotional well-being during the school day.
In response, school leaders and students collaborated to design a day aimed at providing practical tools and meaningful programming that supports mental wellness, where students will choose from more than 40 expert-led breakout sessions and hear from keynote speakers Kaleb Joseph and Shaney Andler.
Joseph is a mental health advocate and founder of the Self-Help Tour, traveling across the country to share his lived experiences navigating mental health challenges.
Andler, a trained special education teacher, mom and bestselling author, specializes in youth mental health. She founded “Back Pocket,” a curriculum that promotes healthy coping strategies that build resilience.
The day will also include hands-on workshops and interactive activities to foster community and reflection, with attendance tracked throughout the event. During lunch, students can take a break outdoors with food trucks, games, raffle prizes and live music from DJ Sparkafya.
The school’s Student Leadership class helped lead event planning, with members of the Hope Squad set to help facilitate activities and peer support throughout the day.
Mental Wellness Day is being funded by Sara Craig-Scheckman and Michael Craig-Scheckman to mark the 20th anniversary of the Craig-Scheckman Family Foundation, which has supported youth mental health and empowerment programs throughout the district.
Families are encouraged to speak with their students about session choices and participation. According to school officials, the goal is to ensure students leave the day not only feeling supported but equipped with coping strategies they can use both throughout high school and beyond.
To view the event brochure, available in English and Spanish, visit tinyurl.com/yc5bdejk.
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