P.S. I LOVE YOU DAY: “ONE STEP AT A TIME”
A few years ago, while I was walking through the hallways of the high school where I was teaching, I saw random post-it notes on lockers. As I got closer, I saw that each one had kind words written on them. When the bell rang, the hallways began to fill with students. I watched in awe while students stopped to read their post-it notes. I heard students asking each other what their notes said. The expressions on their faces were priceless. With smiles, many students took their post-it note to place on other students’ lockers. I was so amazed that these notes with kind words written on them by strangers would have such an impact on these students.
Good mental health is critical to a child’s success in school and in life. Mental health challenges can lead to academic, social and behavioral difficulties in school. If left unchecked or ignored, these challenges can interfere with the development of positive relationships, as well as success and fulfillment in many areas of life.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has stated that one in five children and adolescents experience mental health problems during their school years. Examples include stress, anxiety, bullying, family problems, depression, learning disability, and alcohol and substance abuse. Serious mental health problems, such as self-injurious behaviors and suicide are on the rise, particularly among youth. Unfortunately, many children and youth do not receive the help they need. The adolescents who do get help are often receiving this support within their schools.
A few years ago, the school where I was teaching at the time started an initiative to address the mental health of its students. Being curious, I started a google search to find out where the inspiration for this day came from. I discovered that two tragic events helped to bring a community together. One family lost their father to suicide on April 23, 2010, and only a month prior to this, an HS senior from that same community, ended their life by suicide.
Brooke DiPalma was only 14 years old when her father Joseph ended his life by suicide. She reflected on the tragedy she and her family experienced, and how others were impacted within her community, and decided to do something that would help start a process of healing. She turned the last three words her father said to her into a campaign that would bring awareness to mental health. “P.S. I Love You Day” is held every second Friday of February. The organization that was created asks people to wear purple on this day to bring awareness to help stop bullying, help end depression, and ultimately prevent suicide.
Students spend a good portion of their day in school. They have access to teachers, guidance counselors, social workers, psychologists, nurses and other staff members. Because of this, schools are the ideal place to provide social-emotional health services to students. Over the past few years, schools have lined their hallways with posters promoting social-emotional health. More and more clubs are being created to address the changing social needs of students. Teachers, counselors, administrators and other staff members are being trained to address the mental health issues and concerns of students. Social media has also joined in the campaign to promote social-emotional health.
There are many things school personnel can do to help students that may be struggling. Here are two:
Encourage students to keep journals about their feelings. It’s easy to focus on what went wrong with your day but start asking students to take a moment and look at their day through rose-colored glasses and instead reflect on “What went well for me today?”
School personnel can let students know they can talk with them whenever they need to or that they can ask for a pass to meet with any other adult they feel comfortable with.
This is why “P.S. I Love You Day” is a perfect opportunity to show others that they are important. As educators, we should let our students know that they matter and that their effort has paid off. Good Job! Nice insight! You’re so thoughtful! Thanks for helping! Any positive feedback we can give children will surely pay off. They say that it takes 5 kind words to undo one hurtful word. Everyone has the ability to make someone feel special, loved and important. With everything that is going on, we must try to remember that a kind word or gesture can make a difference.
The “P.S. I Love You” organization has many suggestions on how to spread the message throughout schools, communities, and the workforce that you are never alone. Please check out P.S. I Love You’s website to see how your school can participate in this very important cause. I know that it has made an impact on many students and adults in my life. “P.S. I Love You Day” started with a few kind words on post-it notes but has blossomed into something so beautiful.
More information and resources about mental health and “P.S. I Love You Day” can be found in the links below.
https://www.eachmindmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/MHMM-2020-Online-Activity-Guide.pdf