The start of a new semester can bring a mix of emotions, from excitement to nervousness. As a result, it is important to have ways to deal with new stressors and responsibilities.

To help welcome back their student body, on January 14, Patriot Minds Matter (PMM) at Thomas S. Wootton High School in Rockville, Maryland, hosted a friendship bracelet-making event. The club collaborated with an ongoing student project on Asian Mental Health Awareness to highlight the importance of mental health across various communities. 

PMM student leaders said they recognized that a person’s cultural background often shapes their mental health experience. With a student body that is approximately 38% Asian, the event appealed to a large number of Wootton students.

“The Asian Mental Health Awareness project is dedicated to addressing mental health within the Asian community,” one student leader said via email. “And by working together, we were able to create an event that was both inclusive and meaningful.”

The activity allowed students to express themselves through creativity — a healthy coping mechanism for stress. Crafting with peers also helps students develop social connectedness and belonging in their school environment. PMM student leaders said the event showed how small, simple hands-on activities can encourage mindfulness and stress relief. 

“We wanted members to walk away with not only a bracelet but a new coping tool and a sense of community support,” a student leader said.

As students prepare for the semester ahead, Patriot Minds Matter would like them to remember that their mental health is just as important as their academic success. They encourage their students to continue finding healthy ways to care for themselves.

“It’s okay to take breaks, ask for help, and engage in activities that bring joy,” they said.

Patriot Minds Matter leaders said they look forward to offering more spaces and more events for students to destress and connect with their peers. They also look forward to collaborating with other student-led projects and cultural groups to promote mental health and wellness across various communities. You can follow them @patriotmindsmatter on Instagram for more updates!🥳

A special thank you to Adventist Healthcare, the Devon C. Rubenstein Foundation, the Healthcare Initiative Foundation, the Jewish Social Service Agency, and our network of individual donors for supporting Our Minds Matter in Montgomery County Public Schools.🧡