Area classes focus on mental health
Annette Duncan, president of the United Way of Steele County, heads into health classrooms in both Medford and Blooming Prairie to help the students learn about mental health issues and helping their classmates if they notice the warning signs. Staff photo by Karen M. Jorgensen
High school students at Medford and Blooming Prairie are getting some guidance on mental health issues in their health classes with the assistance of United Way of Steele County.
Annette Duncan, president of the United Way of Steele County, has been at Medford High School for the past couple of weeks taking time to talk to health students about mental health issues. She will be heading to Blooming Prairie in March to conduct the same classes.
Duncan explained that in 2022 the local United Way did a study of what were the greatest needs in the community. They found that the biggest concern among teenagers was mental health.
There had been some outreach to deal with mental health issues, she said, but the decision was made to dive deeper into the subject and with some grants and also training which Duncan took, she is now able to go into the classroom and discuss issues with the students.
The basic idea behind the class is to help the students learn how to become involved in peer-to-peer support and notice signs that a friend or classmate may be dealing with issues and knowing what to do to help them, she said.
The first step, she said, is to have trained adults, help the students understand mental health issues.
The whole point of the classes, she said, is to enable the students to act as first responders, much like other first responders do.
If they see a need to speak with their friend, talk to an adult and do what they can until any professional help can be obtained, if needed.
A crisis, situation, of course, needs immediate help, Duncan said.
She said what she teaches the students is a five-step action plan.
The first step, she said, is to watch for warning signs. Second, ask your friends how they are doing and three, listen to them. Then, she said, the fourth step is to connect with an adult.
Finally, she said, is to recognize the power of friendship and how important it can be to just be a friend.
The teen, she stresses, is not responsible for fixing the problem but just connect the person with an adult who can help and to always be their friend.
“The kids are very receptive to the class,” she said, “and ask good questions.” It is a six-session course spread over two weeks with the students filling out a questionnaire at the end of each session.
In the class, she added, they may talk about things and make comments about issues such as bullying or violence.
Although it may be getting better, she said, there is still a stigma about admitting to having mental health issues. Hopefully, she said, classes such as this will help reduce that stigma, so people feel more comfortable in seeking out help.
“I’m super proud of our students,” she said. The sessions are also not held on consecutive days, she said, because the students need time to process what they have heard and discussed.
Training is required before someone can go into the classroom, she said. Duncan said in addition to being able to work with the students, she is also the only one locally who is able to train other adults to help in the program.