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Volunteers gathered at Nicholas Sean High School Monday to assemble boxes filled with items aimed at improving the mental health of students.
The boxes contain resource details, including suicide hotline numbers; “You love it so amazingly” wrist; Statistics on depression and suicide; A deck of cards with 52 reasons to live; And a handwritten message reminding the box owner that they are loved and not alone.
CPS students, teachers and administrators helped fill nearly 400 boxes, which were created by Find Your Anchor, a Chicago-based national suicide prevention organization.
Ali Borowski created Find the Anchor to spread awareness about mental health and suicide prevention.
“I have personally struggled, and throughout my mental health journey, felt that mental health care is often corporate, sterile, and clinical,” Borowski said.
Partner with CPS to collect and distribute boxes to high school students in the district. The group will give the district 1,000 boxes during the school year, including the 400 collected Monday.
Borowski
“These boxes are a way to help remind someone that they are not alone and to provide information on how to get help,” she said. “If we save one life, it’s worth 40,000 boxes.”
Jaylin Yanez on the North Side, 5900 N. Glenwood Ave. She is sitting at a table writing personal notes to enter “Find Your Anchor Box” on the North Side. Anthony Vazquez / Sun-Times
Anthony Vazquez, Anthony Vazquez / Sun-Times
Jaylin Yanez, an 18-year-old student at Pathway Inn, helped pack the boxes. They also spent time writing messages to add to the boxes.
“It’s okay, you can still do it under these conditions. You are so strong and loved. Take it one day at a time, Yanez.
“These boxes are helpful for someone who doesn’t have anyone to talk to and doesn’t know where to turn for help,” said Yanez, who plans to work in mental health.
Mental health services must be accessible and accessible, especially to young people, Yanez said.
“Mental health affects everyone differently. Everyone has their own struggles. And they need to know that seeking help doesn’t mean they’re weak,” she said.
In a discussion following the box meeting, CPS CEO Pedro Martinez said mental health care remains a priority for the district.
“I want our students to see our schools as places where they feel like they can talk to someone,” Martinez said. “If you’re struggling with something, I want you to talk to someone and let them know you’re not alone.”
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached by calling 1-800-273-TALK, and the crisis text line can be reached by texting HOME to 741-741.
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