Wellness Corner 16: Community

Hey Falcons,

Did you know attending community events can boost your mental health?

According to a CDC study in 2019, 1 in 3 high school students had experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, a 40 percent increase since 2009. In 2019, approximately 1 in 6 youth reported considering and planning self-harm, a 44% increase since 2009. This shows that mental health in adolescents is growing more and more important to address. Feeling blue can impact many areas of a teen’s life, including grades, decision making, and their health. Poor mental health can encourage high-risk behaviors with negative consequences. 

Connection to one’s community is especially important to support teen mental health, and it’s something Kinkaid is committed to.

Making strong bonds and relationships with adults and friends at school, at home and in their community/communities provides kids with a sense of connectedness and can protect adolescents from poor mental health and risks like drug use and violence.

Kinkaid’s many athletics and arts events (just this weekend, the SPC Championship and the Orchestra and Band Concert) are intended to foster a safe and supportive environment where Falcons cheer one another on. 

As we enter the final weeks of the school year, let’s consider how involved we are/have been in community events as well as how that impacts our mood and the mood of those around us. 

If you’re looking for a community event to attend, join the Wellness Committee at our Sidewalk Chalk Project on Tuesday, May 3. You can add your artistic work to the sidewalk by the Dining and Learning Center throughout the day.