As the span of time continues that students remain cooped in their rooms focused on the next assignment due or other responsibilities to tend to, the conversation about mental health is longer than it was pre-pandemic. 

The reveal for the Virtual Wellness Center website on Tuesday, January 26, anticipates the progression for the building to be open on campus as permitted by state orders. 

With the up-and-coming addition of the Virtual Wellness Center though, Ms. Sun, AVID Coordinator and Peer Counselor advisor, is hoping the resources will promote the topic that goes beyond common self-care cliches and is purposed for students opting to look towards talking about their personal wellness with another peer. 

“Whether you’re in leadership, an athlete, or the arts, this is a safe place for you to go and talk to a peer, and give students more awareness about mental health, and mental awareness, and how important it is for the overall body of a human.”

Through knowledge and opportunities offered for students to learn about leading a healthy lifestyle and unproductive habits, the center and its mentors aim to remove the stigma attached to receiving necessary mental health assistance.

“Our kids go through a lot, and I don’t think people realize that. So I think that having this wellness center will give people a place to go…let you talk it through, and then help guide you to a path that will hopefully be less stressful and more productive.”

The ultimate goal serves to provide these safe spaces, so for worries about confidentiality, Ms. Sun directly replies:

“Other than if a student is going to harm themselves or others, everything that a student comes in and shares is one-hundred percent confidential…our peer counselors are trained to be professional and confidential and authentic about it. “

Sun proceeds to thank administration for their ongoing support for opening discussions about these controversial topics,

“The significance of the wellness push is for after being locked at home, after quarantine and for students who had losses in their families… Even for racial concerns and inequalities, it’s important to provide avenues.”

For those interested in talking to a peer, the process is fairly simple to follow.

“Students will have a form they can fill out and request an appointment. We will have confirmation of an appointment and a code that they can join in, a peer counselor will be available to join and a teacher, either me or Mrs. Lorenger will be there to monitor in the background, not to jump in or give advice but to let the student talk to a peer.”

The club is looking to expand with ideas for monthly group sessions for particular groups of students, awareness activities, consensual referrals, and the ability to physically walk in during lunch or nutrition hours as students can return to school. For those interested in sharing the awareness, the club will be allowing new members as class selections begin, 

“There are applications, you can talk to your counselor. The application is essentially your interview and you will need referrals from teachers or counselors. After completion of Peer 1 and discussion with the teacher, you are eligible for training to join the Peer Counselors.” 

As Ms. Sun reflects on the process of introducing the program, she states, 

“We are looking forward to serving our Bulldog family”

There is additional wellness center information, daily quotes and affirmations, and resources at @wchs_peer_counseling on Instagram.