Joel Barlow High School’s Youth Mental Health First Aid Club has received a grant of $2,500 from the One World Education Foundation.
The grant will be used to pay the yearly cost of the Jordan Porco Foundation curriculum and supplies, according to Dr. Mario Almeida, Barlow head of school.
The club’s goal is to increase education and awareness of mental health disorders. Club members work to decrease the stigma of mental health disorders, according to Maryanne Pieretti, club advisor. Caroline Morasco is a second advisor.
“The students plan activities and programs for Barlow and the Easton and Redding communities,” Pieretti said. “The programs and activities focus on educating others about the common mental health challenges that adolescents may face, how to assist a young person who may be struggling and knowing when to connect them with an adult or professional assistance.”
A spring mental health fair will be held in the upper gym in May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month. All students will attend the fair during a specific class to ensure that every student in the building visits the fair. Last year, it was open to the community in the evening during Barlow Palooza.
Typically a variety of booths that students run support mental health and include art and creativity, physical activity and gratitude, all with interactive activities for the students. A mental health Bingo booth educates students on mental health and wellness.
The club also tries to have therapy dogs at the event. An adult-run booth by Barlow support staff and community members, such as the Easton town social worker, Easton’s Here to Help, and people from LIFT Wellness Group in Westport.
The fair focuses on resources available in and outside school, including the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 988, 211CT, and other resources. A raffle incentive for students who attend all the booths gives students an opportunity to enter to win Barlow swag or a gift card.
The One World Education Foundation funds student-led projects for ages seven to 17. They must connect to one of three core values: nurturing students’ connections to self, others, and the earth. One of the club’s members applied for the grant.
The Jordan Porco Foundation was founded in 2011 by Ernie and Marissa Porco after they lost their son Jordan to suicide when he was a freshman in college, according to the Jordan Porco Foundation website.
“The Jordan Porco Foundation is committed to preventing suicide in the high school, college, and college entry student population,” the website states. “Through awareness, education and innovative programming, the Jordan Porco Foundation is challenging stigma around mental health and help-seeking, creating open conversations about the prevalence of suicide and mental health issues in the young adult population, and saving lives.”
