Milton High School students earn special treats for mental health awareness efforts

Students in Milton High School were invited to complete the Be There Certificate during May which was Mental Health Awareness month. MHS students, Lucy Asanza, Casey Olsen, and Reilly Bergin introduced the Be There Certificate to their peers in a video. They explained that the Be There Certificate is a free, on-line course that teaches students how to safely support someone who might be struggling with their mental health. Then they issued a challenge: The classes that had the highest percentage of students who completed the 2-hour course will win a very special treat sponsored by the Milton Coalition and District Attorney Michael Morrissey’s office.

“Sometimes friends are the first person to notice that someone may be struggling with their mental health. The goal of the Be There Certificate is to increase young people’s mental health literacy and to provide them with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to safely support someone who may be struggling,” said Margaret Carels, Director of the Milton Coalition.  A group of student leaders previewed the training and thought it was engaging, informative and liked how it portrayed a wide variety of people and situations.

Ultimately, this group of students worked with Mrs. Jennie Beliveau, Lead Adjustment Counselor for MPS to develop a way to roll it out to the whole school.
In total, over 300 students completed the Be There Certificate in May. Ms. Crowley, Mr. Collyer, and Mr. Cunningham had winning classes who enjoyed waffle sundaes delivered by Mrs. Beliveau and Ms. Carels.

The Be There Certificate was created by jack.org and the Born This Way Foundation.  Anyone can complete the Be There Certificate, or find out more by going to www.betherecertificate.org