Photo Provided JB Green Team donates garbage bags, vests, gloves and other items to volunteers in support of the cleanup day at Bellaire High School as the Sources of Strength peer-led intervention group puts on a week full of mental health activities May 12-16.

BELLAIRE — Bellaire High School students choose a “Stronger Together” theme to promote healthy habits, spread awareness and educate about mental health for Mental Health Matters Spirit Week.

The BHS Sources of Strength peer-led intervention group is promoting the observance from May 12-16. During the week, the group will educate and promote healthy habits and sources of strength that aim to improve awareness about mental health issues many teens face.

The Sources of Strength mission is to use its voices to break the silence when someone is struggling and to connect them to the help they need.

Members of the group chose the theme of “Stronger Together” for the week of activities because personal support and bonds are one of the keys to improving mental health, teacher Rebecca DiFabrizio said.

“Their goal throughout the week is to provide students and staff with meaningful and impactful activities,” she said. “Sources of Strength peer and adult leaders have been planning the event since January. They will offer healthy activities that foster connection and coping skills.”

May 12 events feature speaker Jayla Robinson from the “Ask Yourself Why Not” podcast to talk to students on positive mindset and saying yes to healthy activities, along with a mini-resource fair where all students can take what they need. On May 13, a community/school cleanup welcomes everyone to help. During wellness Wednesday on May 14, students will participate in team building activities. May 15 includes meditation, yoga, mandalas and fortune cookie coping skills. Lastly, May 16 features a mental health awareness walk in Union Square Park along with continued activities.

The school invites community members to wear green, the color of the cause, to the group’s awareness walk at 11:45 a.m. May 16 to walk with students in Union Square Park.

JB Green Team donated garbage bags, vests, gloves and other items in support of the group’s cleanup day May 13. Belmont Savings Bank, Bellaire Beautification Committee, Belmont County Sheriff’s Department, Community Coffee & Tea, Bellaire Methodist Church, Bellaire Presbyterian Church and St. John Church are all working with the student volunteers for the day.

South Street Apparel in Barnesville will be providing T-shirts to the group members.

The Sources of Strength peer leaders provided programming throughout the school year that focused on spreading positivity, hope and help, according to DiFabrizio.

“Prioritizing mental health among our student body is important to their academic success, well-being and overall life skills … ,” she said. “Our goal for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is to continue to reduce the stigma and give voice to positive connections between students, staff and the community so they can find creative and meaningful outlets and become stronger together.”