Henderson Middle School students pet a golden retriever on the school lawn.

The end of another school year gives us the chance to reflect and celebrate all that we’ve accomplished. It is also a chance to decompress after months of academic achievement and teen mental health action!🧠

Earlier this spring, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School in Falls Church, Virginia, hosted a Stress Less Week to promote positive coping strategies and self-care during the SOL (Standards of Learning) testing season. 

“Stress Less Week helped foster a school culture of joy, rest, and celebration during high-stress points of the year, especially the week prior to SOLs,” said Colleen Hoover, Henderson social worker and Henderson Minds Matter club sponsor.

Henderson Minds Matter (HMM) hosted a self-care–themed activity each day of the week during lunch periods and recess. Students were also invited to dress in different spirit wear for each day! HMM club members helped plan the agenda, allowing them to build valuable leadership skills with their peers.💙 Here’s a look at the Stress Less Week schedule they created:

• Mindfulness Monday – Stress-less craft station with origami, bracelet making, coloring and more
• Movement Tuesday – Dancing, games, kickball, and therapy animals during recess
• Wacky Wednesday – Fun improv and skit performances with theater staff
• Treat Yo’self Thursday – Treats, fidget toys, and stickers 
• Fun and Fluffy Friday – Therapy dogs and sidewalk chalk

Hoover said the week-long campaign gave the Henderson community space to acknowledge feelings of stress while learning new ways to cope with them.

Students enjoy clay and bracelet-making.

“I felt it was really important to be able to reach and promote this campaign with the entire school community, including staff, to have an opportunity to participate in the various activities to help normalize feeling stressed prior to SOLs, while at the same time helping them to learn new coping strategies and healthy ways to handle stress and anxiety,” she said.

Regular self-care and healthy habits are key protective factors for teen mental health. Learning positive coping mechanisms and investing in one’s self-worth are just as important as making time to study or extracurriculars. Physical activity, creativity, and quality time with a loved one (like a furry friend!) are just a few ways to slow down during a busy season.💙

In addition to daily activities, Hoover posted daily themed reminders about the importance of self-care and healthy coping skills. She said she wanted students to understand that while academic success is important, taking care of yourself and your mental health creates the groundwork to make achievement possible.

“Our mental health always comes first,” Hoover said. “This was the message I hoped students took away from the week, as well as for club members throughout the year, especially for a high-achieving school and school division.”

Stress Less Week Day of Movement on Tuesday!

To kick off the summer, HMM’s club members enjoyed ice cream and decorated journals with puffy paint!😎 Kudos to Colleen Hoover and Henderson Minds Matter for reminding their school community that their mental health matters this season and every season! We are grateful to have you in this movement with us and look forward to all the impact you will inspire next school year.🙂

A special thank you for supporting Our Minds Matter goes to The J. Willard & Alice S. Marriott Foundation; Kettering Family Foundation; The MATTIE Fund; Rosendin Foundation; Van Metre Companies; and our supporter community of mental health champions like you.🎉