How We Celebrated Mental Health Month Together
At JCC Early Childhood, we believe in the power of supporting children’s mental wellness, especially during these pivotal early learning years. May was Mental Health Awareness Month and a time when we focused on nurturing big feelings and providing tools to help children thrive.
As mom to four, I’ve had my share of big feelings. While some parents cry when they drop off on the first day of school, I was always a last-day-of-school crier. It’s such a big deal to finish a whole school year! At the J, the learning and growing rolls right into camp…
Sam Savin reads Bella Burlap’s Brave Adventure during Play Pals group.
You may not know that Sam Savin, one of our amazing Early Childhood social workers, also leads the JCC Teen Mental Health Committee. This year, our teens wrote and illustrated Bella Burlap’s Brave Adventure, a children’s story about a nervous bunny attending Apachi Day Camp for the first time.
Sam visited our Early Childhood classrooms for story time and engaged with children in heartfelt conversations about managing the emotions that come with new experiences like going to camp. Our soon-to-be-campers discovered “balloon breathing” as a calming technique to ease anxiety and excitement. One deep breath at a time, they practiced creating moments of calm amidst big feelings.
Circle Up Community Art Project at Bernard Weinger JCC.
At Bernard Weinger JCC in Northbrook, Mrs. Savin installed the Circle Up Community Art Project, an interactive exhibit where people of all ages are encouraged to share messages of support, a favorite coping skill, or something that brings them joy.
This powerful art initiative was created by the JCC Teen Mental Health Committee in collaboration with teen leaders from No Shame on U and The Balance Project, and with guidance from Art Impact Project, a nonprofit that uses art to support emotional expression. Throughout the month of May, many children embraced the project and contributed their own circle. This traveling, evolving display symbolizes unity, support, and the importance of continuing the conversation around mental health.
Together, we are empowering our community, from the youngest of ages, to tune into their feelings because mental health is health.