It’s no secret that we can sometimes be our harshest critics. Reminding ourselves of the good things about who we are helps us push back against that negative voice in our head and the pressure to be perfect. This past February, in preparation for Valentine’s Day, Umttr x Thrive club leaders at Winston Churchill High School in Potomac, Maryland, facilitated the “I Love Me” activity with their peers.
While “I Love Me” is listed as one of our opening connections, this club adapted it to be the main activity for their meeting. “I Love Me” invites students to create a paper heart and write in qualities that make them feel strong, resilient, confident, and good friends to others. This exercise supports self-care and healthy habits by allowing students to build self-esteem through affirmations and creativity.
“The activity was a good way for students to reflect on what they like or love about themselves, which is something that people don’t necessarily focus on often,” said Ava Van Vuren, a senior Umttr x Thrive club Co-President, via email. “As a mental health club and being high schoolers, the [club] officers know that some positive self-talk can make a huge difference in a teen’s mental health.”
Umttr x Thrive sponsor Curtis Hart-Southworth said he hopes club members were reminded of the value of self-love and encouraged to speak about mental health in other spaces. Discussing such wellness topics with peers can help destigmatize these conversations for their school community.
“I was proud of my officers for being able to stand up and present about mental health,” he said. “I hope it inspired the club members to do the same, even in their everyday lives.”
Additionally, as students approach spring exam season, club co-president Derek Yang said he wants fellow students to feel empowered and comfortable balancing studying with extracurricular activities. When students make time for both, they can strive toward their academic goals while leaving room to destress.
“We also want students to know that keeping involved in school activities is important to build relationships and foster a sense of community that students can trust,” Yang said.
Team OMM extends its gratitude to Umttr x Thrive for their efforts to uplift their student body and remind them of their worth! Want to learn more about what their club is up to? Follow them on Instagram @churchillumttr. Their next goal is to participate in their school’s Unity Day in June. (Umttr x Thrive student leaders also attended our Teen Leader Summit on March 7th😉)
Another thank you for supporting Our Minds Matter in Montgomery County Public Schools goes to Adventist Healthcare; the Devon C. Rubenstein Foundation; the Healthcare Initiative Foundation; The J. Willard & Alice S. Marriott Foundation; the Jewish Social Service Agency (JSSA); Kettering Family Foundation; The MATTIE Fund; Rosendin Foundation; Van Metre Companies; The Wolpoff Family Foundation; and our supporter community of mental health champions like you.💚