Peer-to-Peer Depression Awareness Program

 Since the Peer-to-Peer (P2P) program began in 2009, over 1,750 students have become P2P educators and advocates creating over 320 student-run events. The number of students reached through these schoolwide campaigns would fill the Big House to capacity! During the 2021-2022 academic year, 18 high schools and 12 middle schools throughout Washtenaw County participated. This year, many of the high schools received supplemental funding for qualified activities through a two-year Public Safety and Mental Health Millage grant for anti-stigma work awarded to the Washtenaw Intermediate School District.

The high schools that participated in the 2021-2022 academic year are listed below.

These school teams of approximately 5-30 students each were selected by their teachers and counselors to attend one of two mental health educational conferences, on Oct. 22nd or Nov 4th, 2021, that was held virtually by the Eisenberg Family Depression Center due to pandemic restrictions. The students participated in educational presentations to improve their knowledge of depression and anxiety as well as practical strategies for planning an effective awareness campaign, and time to brainstorm ideas for their campaign with their group. 

Following the opening conference, and with assistance from Faculty Mentors at each school, each team submitted a plan for their Peer-to-Peer project in December 2021, and then began implementing their campaigns January – May 2022. Many schools showed creativity and flexibility with the changing school requirements due to the pandemic. Below are summaries of each school’s completed and planned activities.
 

Community High School
“Everybody has a story and yours matters.”

• Continued utilizing Instagram (@chsdag) introducing DAG members, self-care strategies, and mental health resources
• Educated students on what to do when they are experiencing mental health symptoms and taught students strategies and allow for practice
• Created a bulletin board 
• Hosted a lunch-and-learn speaker series 
• Hosted a letter-writing activity for Oxford

Chelsea High School
“It's OK Not to be OK. You Are Not Alone.”

• Created an Instagram (@peer2peer_chs) where they introduced their team to the school and promoted their spirit week
• Created posters and hung them around the school
• Designed giveaways including stylus pens with the slogan and worms on a string
• Held school-wide spirit week to raise awareness of P2P through daily announcements, themed days, giveaways, and distributing mental health resource cards during lunch
• Partnered with SRSLY to create a video about mental health and substance use
• Planning to create a mental health awareness mural by collaborating with the art club

Dexter High School
“Awareness > Stigma, #ConnectBecauseYouMatter”

• First-year participating in P2P and had 7 students on their P2P team
• Held information table during lunch
• Screening of the Movie "Soul" followed by a mental health discussion
• Hosted a mental health event with Kahoot quiz, scavenger hunt, and giveaways to educate about depression/anxiety and school resources
• Goal to connect with the Mill Creek team in the future

Early College Alliance
“Trust to Discuss. You’re Never Alone!”

• Continued posting on Instagram (@eca_peer2peer) self-care strategies during the pandemic, mental health facts, words of encouragement, and mental health resources
• Held mental health seminar and Kahoot game open to all ECA students
• Provided gift cards to Kahoot winners
• Distributed student-designed postcards to the entire student body including messages of hope, 24/7 crisis numbers, self-care tips, and Instagram information

Huron High School
“Self-Care Isn’t Selfish”

• Designed vinyl stickers with their slogan “Self-Care isn’t Selfish” and distributed them schoolwide during their wellness week
• Posted educational content and motivational messages to @huron_p2p Instagram account
• Trained all P2P members in safeTALK, a training on suicide alertness
• Held a schoolwide wellness week in March where they: 
• Reviewed symptoms of depression, 
• Showed videos of peers talking about what stresses them out and how they deal with stress, 
• Hosted a college student who shared her personal story of struggling with anxiety, 
• Prompted group discussion on stigma and mental health.

Lincoln High School
“Not All Struggles Are Visible #YouAreVISIBLE”

• Held school assembly on mental health with guest speakers Dr. Ed-Dee Williams and Will Heininger; discussed stigma, trends in BIPOC mental health, personal experience
• Gave interactive presentations on depression + anxiety to students in health classes
• Designed + distributed water bottles with slogans “Not all struggles are visible” and #YouAreVisible
• Hung posters in school incorporating 4 core P2P messages
• Distributed “positive messages” sticky notes around the school

Michigan Islamic Academy
“With CommUNITY Comes Peace, With Hardship Comes Ease”

• Continued to post mental health information and resources on their social media page regularly (@peer2peermia)
• Hosted a lunch-and-learn series throughout the year, covering different mental health topics
• Distributed Ramadan self-care boxes to every student in the school with mental health info, self-care strategies, and resources

Milan High School
“Your story matters. There’s no shame in seeking help!”

• Created an Instagram account (@milanp2p) and posted throughout the year
• Partnered with the Advanced Art class to create a mural with the slogan, resource numbers, and names of mental disorders
• Partnered with the library to make mental health-related books available
• During Valentine’s Day created a “Take a Heart, Leave a Heart” bulletin board to share positive mental health messages
• Created and distributed stress relief keychains with slogan and CARES mental health support line

Pathways to Success

• Designed and distributed wellness goody bags for Mental Health Awareness Week and finals week
• Hung P2P posters around the school including: "Anxiety Attack", "Stop the Silence", "What Depression Feels Like", "What Anxiety Feels Like", "Invisible Illnesses", "Healthy Coping Skills", and "Don't Believe Everything You Think" 
• Planned school assembly on racial disparities in mental health, featuring guest speaker Dr. Ed-Dee Williams  

Pioneer High School
“There is Sunshine After the Rain”

• Continued posting on Instagram (@aapioneerp2p) 
• Gave out “positive messaging” candy during finals week
• Created a bulletin board with rotating topics monthly related to adolescent mental health
• Anxiety, Mood Disorders + Grief & Trauma, Attention (ADHD), and Behavioral Disorders (mainly eating disorders)
• Presented to peers in health classes about depression + anxiety, stigma, and resources
• Designed and gave out custom lanyards with the slogan and an image of a sun
   

Saline High School
“Grow through what you go through”

• Continued posting on their Instagram (@salinep2p)
• Designed and displayed posters with their slogan 
• Presentations during Hornet time to introduce P2P and share information about depression/anxiety
• Handed out postcards for students to write something meaningful to a friend
• Passed out stickers with their slogan
• Created an animated video with mental health stats from both pre- and post-COVID

Skyline High School
“#EaglesAgainstStigma”

• Held Wellness Wednesdays lunch sessions on a variety of mental health topics
• Hosted a SafeTALK suicide alertness training 
• Brought in Dr. Ed-Dee Williams to present about mental health + culture
• Handed out “good luck” pencils during exams

Washtenaw Alliance for Virtual Education

• Wrote, produced, and recorded their own Mental Wellness podcast. The first episode had students talking about the stupidest things people have said about mental illness and better ways to talk about it.

Washtenaw International High School
“Don't Be Afraid to Ask for Help. Speak Up!

• Continued posting on Instagram (@wihip2p) to introduce P2P members, share mental health resources, tips to support peers, coping techniques, and Wellness Bingo to increase engagement
• Created posters to hang around the school
• Distributed care packages during exam week that included mental health resources, candy, stickers, and pocket hugs
• Created a workshop on self-care and burnout for all WIHI & WIMA students during Team Time and incorporated a Gimkit to engage students on topics
• Hosted an affirmation board for WIHI students where they could take or write a positive message

Washtenaw Technical Middle College
“Trust to Discuss”

• Shared mental health messaging and resources via their Instagram account (@wtmcp2p) 
• Created a video introducing the P2P program and all the team members
• Handed out carnations with mental health messages/resources during exam week, along with stickers
• Created posters to hang around the school
• Wellness table with postcards with self-care strategies and resources 
• Distributed SAT de-stress kits with mental health information and resources, fidgets, and snacks

Whitmore Lake
“#StrongerTogether”

• Continued posting on Instagram (@wl.p2p) and advertised school P2P activities, featured P2P student members, as well as mental health facts and resources
• Held mental health spirit week
• Mental health Monday, Mental vacation Tuesday, Work out Wednesday, Pajama day Thursday, Trojan Pride Friday
• Provided accessibility to books with characters that have mental health conditions
• Provide content and resources through school-wide Kahoot, Bingo, and scavenger hunt
• Designed hats for the P2P team to increase the team’s awareness in the school

Ypsilanti ACCE
“It’s Not Weak to Speak!”

• Put up a prominent bulletin board with the slogan “It’s Not Weak to Speak!” surrounded by local resources, P2P member names, and stigma reduction messaging
• Designed and distributed wristbands, fidgets, and stickers with the slogan “It’s Not Weak to Speak!”
• Planned “Wellness Wednesdays” during community hour to “talk about mental health in a way that students will actually hear”

Ypsilanti Community High School 
“#LetsTalkAboutIt

• Created a TikTok (@peer2peerychs) to promote P2P and provide mental health education and stigma reduction
• Encouraged peers to follow TikTok by hanging posters throughout the school with QR code
• Created and distributed stress balls and wristbands with the slogan and TikTok handle
   

Since the Peer-to-Peer (P2P) program began in 2009, over 1,750 students have become P2P educators and advocates, creating over 320 student-run events. The number of students reached through these schoolwide campaigns would fill the Big House to capacity! During the 2021-2022 academic year, 18 high schools and 12 middle schools throughout Washtenaw County participated. This year, some of the middle schools received supplemental funding for qualified activities through a two-year Public Safety and Mental Health Millage grant for anti-stigma work awarded to the Washtenaw Intermediate School District.

These school teams of approximately 5-30 students each were selected by their teachers and counselors to attend a mental health educational conference on Nov. 3, 2021, that was held virtually due to pandemic restrictions. The students participated in educational presentations to improve their knowledge of depression and anxiety, practical strategies for planning an effective awareness campaign, and time to brainstorm ideas for their campaign with their group.

Following the opening conference, and with assistance from faculty mentors at each school, each team submitted a plan for their Peer-to-Peer project in December 2021, and then began implementing their campaigns January – May 2022. Many schools showed creativity and flexibility with the changing school requirements due to the pandemic. Below are summaries of each school’s completed and planned activities.

Ann Arbor Open School
“It’s Okay to Not Be Okay”

• Created and provided classroom presentations that included signs and symptoms, coping skills, the importance of ongoing self-care, and helping a friend who is struggling, and included Kahoot, where the winner received a Washtenaw Dairy gift card in each class
• Continued posting on Instagram (@a2o_p2p) to provide mental health education, coping strategies, and mental health resources
• Recorded P2P students’ experience being part of P2P to raise awareness and posted to their Instagram
• Plan to complete a mural that will be in Ann Arbor Open’s hallway to spread a message of hope and that professional help is available and effective

Beach Middle School
“You don’t have to hide, share what’s inside”

• Designed a blue brain stress ball with the P2P logo as a giveaway to raise awareness of P2P within their school
• Hosted a mindfulness program during zero hour that was open to the whole school and staffed by P2P members and mentors
• Posted on Instagram (@bms_p2p) and included the four core messages as well as raising awareness, reducing stigma, and sharing resources
• Decorated the bulletin board outside of the counseling office to introduce P2P members and share information on mental health topics
• P2P members assisted counseling staff in presenting SEL lessons school-wide
• Hosted an assembly for each grade raising awareness of P2P and mental health, including speakers who shared their personal mental health experience, education about mental health, and an interactive Kahoot game

Clague Middle School
“Depression is Real, Hope is Real Too - When in Doubt, Talk it Out”

• Clague's campaign goal was to spread awareness around mental health, reduce stigma, teach students how to reach out for help and offer hope
• Distributed Clague Cares bags throughout the school with mental health resources
• Identified books about mental health to be added to their library and purchased a bookshelf to display the books
• Delivered mental health lessons in advisory that were facilitated by the P2P students

Forsythe Middle School

• Added information about P2P and mental health resources on their Schoology page
• Presented to advisory classes what P2P is and shared the suicide prevention lifeline as well as crisis text line number
• Designed and distributed luggage tags to the whole school to raise awareness of P2P and share mental health resources
• Attended the Depression on College Campuses conference and listened to the session on “Supporting Student Mental Health During COVID-19”

Lincoln Middle School
“Speak Up… Stop the Silence”

• Created presentations for peers about depression and anxiety
• Delivered MH presentation to peers during health classes
• Put up P2P posters around the school in prominent areas to make students aware of resources and decrease the stigma around help seeking
• Designed a “Myth or Fact” game about mental health for peers and gave out gift cards for correct answers to increase participation

Milan Middle School
“Pain is real, but so is hope” 

• Designed posters about mental health and P2P that were hung up around the school
• Created fortune cookies with positive messages and passed them out during lunch
• Developed and presented a mental health Kahoot during power time classes
• Ordered brain squishies and mental health stickers to raise awareness of P2P and mental health resources

Mill Creek Middle School

• Re-engaged after taking time off due to the pandemic and had 11 P2P team members
• Painted mental health messaging on the bricks in their school–including hopeful messaging and P2P core messages
• Hosted an all-school mental health day to educate students on mental health, reduce stigma, and increase help-seeking

Scarlett Middle School
“Sometimes It’s More Than Just a Bad Day”

• Created multiple bulletin boards, one strictly for MH facts + resources, the others more interactive (messages of hope, updated with current topics, etc.)
• Held “Mental Health Monday” + May Mental Health Awareness Month Campaigns, featuring simple, straightforward announcements that spread information about P2P campaign, like normalizing talking about mental health and where students can get help
• Used P2P Instagram account (@scarlettp2p) to further messaging about stigma reduction and help-seeking
• Used giveaways such as mints, P2P stickers, pencils, and gift cards to increase peer engagement

Slauson Middle School
“You are Loved, You are Wanted, You are Needed.”

• P2P members made school-wide announcements during February that included facts about depression to raise awareness and reduce stigma
• Created posters that were hung around the school
• Created and presented mental health facts and statistics in classes and also provided it asynchronously for classes that were not able to attend the live session
• Designed heart stress balls and mental health awareness bookmark as giveaways

Tappan Middle School
“Mental illness is not just a bad day; it’s okay to say.”

• Tappan's campaign goal was to spread awareness about mental health, reduce stigma, and share resources to get help for those who are struggling
• Gave out pens with their slogan on it to promote P2P and mental health resources
• Created a bulletin board introducing P2P members, sharing mental health facts, and mental health resources
• Shared a virtual presentation from psychiatrist Dr. Rai with the student body
• Shared mental health messaging and resources regularly via their Instagram (@tapp2p)

Washtenaw International Middle Academy

• Restarted their P2P program after taking a year off due to pandemic hardships
• Had four dedicated students who attended meetings to learn opening conference educational material
• Designed blue brain stress ball with the P2P logo and the crisis text line that was given away during testing week to students

Ypsilanti Community Middle School
“It’s Okay to Not Be Okay”

• Students met weekly to talk about mental health and work on their campaign
• Designed posters to recruit other students to get involved in the schoolwide poster exhibit
• Created guidelines for poster exhibit and designed posters that were added to the exhibit
• Hosted a mental health poster exhibit in May that involved the whole school

Community High School

“COVID won’t keep us down – reach out!”

• Continued utilizing Instagram (@chsdag(link is external)) introducing DAG members, self-care strategies, and mental health resources
• Held self-care challenge where students submitted videos, pictures, and descriptions of how they take care of themselves. These submissions were shown during forum classes along with mental health resources available outside of school before winter break encouraging students to practice self-care
• Created insert for the school’s Communicator Magazine distributed around January finals time. The insert included P2P core messages, a list of depression/anxiety symptoms, and mental health resources available
• Hosted a storytelling webinar event for the whole school where two DAG students and a U-M student shared their personal stories and Dr. Dopp shared depression/anxiety symptoms as well as strategies for self-care. Each of the panelists answered questions from the audience the last half of the event

Early College Alliance

“No one should be left in the dark!”

• Continued posting on Instagram (@eca_peer2peer(link is external)) self-care strategies during the pandemic, mental health facts, words of encouragement, and mental health resources
• Held mental health postcard design contest
• Distributed student-designed postcard to the entire student body including messages of hope, 24/7 crisis numbers, self-care tips, and Instagram information
• Hosted a mental health 101 presentation where Heather Dakki, LMSW presented depression and anxiety facts and answered questions. After the presentation, they did a Kahoot to test participants’ knowledge and the top three winners won prizes

Huron High School

“Self-care isn’t Selfish”

• Designed vinyl stickers with their slogan “Self-Care isn’t Selfish” and distributed them at second semester book pick-up
• Consistently posted educational content and motivational messages to @huron_p2p(link is external) Instagram account
• Posted a series of Art Prompts to the P2P Instagram account to encourage students to create art based on different mental health themes (i.e. mindfulness, connection, creature comforts)
• Created a 15-minute video(link is external) that included staff and student mental health stories, local mental health resources, self-care advice, information on how to help struggling peers, and common symptoms of depression

○        Video was distributed to all Advisory classes

Lincoln High School

“Not All Struggles Are Visible #YouAreVISIBLE”

• P2P students created a video to share as part of a virtual educational event for Lincoln Consolidated Schools stakeholders, including students and parents, highlighting available resources and programming in the area
• Counselors, social workers, and P2P members facilitated weekly SEL lessons during homeroom
• Handed out facemasks with the P2P logo and #YouAreVISIBLE
• Created yard signs with their slogan, positive messages, and crisis resources that were distributed them throughout the district community

Michigan Islamic Academy

“With commUNITY comes peace, with hardship comes ease”

• P2P team continued to meet virtually every week with the aim to plan a campaign focused on raising awareness about different types of mental illnesses and reducing stigma.
• Additional goals to support effective student and staff communication, new student outreach, and coping skills to deal with isolation and loneliness
• Conducted their own survey to look at the impact of COVID-19 on mental health (109 responses); used the results, along with their 2020 P2P results, to help inform their campaign
• Hosted monthly virtual mental health talks which included interactive activities like Kahoot quizes; Topics covered:
  • Academic integrity
  • Body image
  • Eating disorders
  • Self-harm
  • Continued to post mental health information and resources on their social media page regularly (@peer2peermia)

Milan High School

“#Youarenotalone”

• Created an Instagram account (@milanp2p(link is external)) promoting a different mental health theme and P2P core message every month using the same hashtag to tie it together (December – The holidays aren’t always happy, January – Your story isn’t over yet, February – You are not alone, March – Pain is real, hope is too, April – Help is around the corner)
• Hosted a school-wide kahoot game on their asynchronous day testing students’ mental health knowledge. Two rounds were done and the top six winners received prizes
• Designed pins, wristbands, and stickers that said “Milan Peer 2 Peer Mental Health Awareness 1-800-273-8255”
• Distributed giveaways from last year and this year during mental health resource tables at lunch

Pioneer High School

“Connection is the Key”

• Continued posting on Instagram (@aapioneerp2p(link is external))
• Designed and distributed postcards to entire student body with slogan, P2P core messages, mental health resources, and a list of stress-relieving activities and apps
• Conducted school-wide mental health screener with referrals to community mental health and other community resources as appropriate. P2P members followed up with students that screened for needing P2P support
• Held “open” P2P gatherings via Zoom

Saline High School

“There is Hope Even When Your Brain Tells You There Isn’t”

• Completed a mural on the wall in a high traffic area, with the message “Depression and anxiety are real. You can’t just snap out of it.”
• Posted a series of Instagram messages with information, resources, and coping skills (@salinep2p)
• Distributed 250 bottles of hand sanitizer with the P2P logo and the Suicide Prevention Lifeline to students throughout the school
• Gave out 500 screen cleaners with their slogan, There is hope even when your brain tells you there isn’t

Skyline High School

“Eagles vs. Stigma”

• Distributed P2P laptop stickers, along with bookmarks with signs/symptoms of depression and anxiety, how to help a friend, and resources to all students at book pick up
• Shared mental health messaging and resources via Instagram (@peer2peerskyline)
• Distributed Eagles vs. Stigma t-shirts to every student (printed last year, but previously unable to distribute due to COVID-19 shutdown)
• Created a mental health resources page
• Attended the Youth Summit on Suicide Conference
• Began partnership with the Miles Jeffrey Roberts Foundation and hope to create a peer counseling program in the future

Washtenaw Alliance for Virtual Education

• Put together and distributed mental health care bags with the P2P logo to all 250 students in the school (delivered to individual homes)
• Bags included hot chocolate, fidgets, local and national resources, and mental health education
• Started a podcast to highlight mental health information and local resources

Washtenaw Technical Middle College

“Trust to Discuss”

• Continued to meet virtually as a team regularly during COVID-19 pandemic
• Created lanyards with their slogan and the crisis text line information
• Created four different laptop sticker designs that were distributed during book drop off/pick-up and for in-person students to take when on campus
• Shared giveaways during SAT exam
• Shared mental health messaging and resources via their Instagram account (@wtmcp2p)

Whitmore Lake Middle and High School

“#StrongerTogether”

• Created an Instagram account (@wl.p2p) and advertised school P2P activities, featured P2P student members, as well as mental health facts and resources
• Hosted a mental health spirit week before Spring Break with different themed days (e.g. Mental Health Monday, Trojan Pride Tuesday (Community Day), Wellness Wednesday (Community Days, Thursday Coping Skills, Fancy Friday)
• Designed and distributed wristbands to all students with the message “Fight the Stigma. Help is here. @wl.p2p” written on them
• Designed and distributed stress balls to all students with the school’s custom P2P logo and their slogan #StrongerTogether
• Encouraged Instagram engagement by raffling off gift cards to students who commented on their Wellness Wednesday post
• Attended Youth Suicide Summit and learned more about suicide and mental health virtually with other schools throughout the state

Washtenaw International High School

“It’s okay to not be okay” 

• Continued posting on Instagram (@wihip2p) to introduce P2P members, share  mental health resources, tips to support peers, coping techniques, and more
• Held a school-wide Mindfulness Bingo contest to encourage students to engage in mindful self-care and promote P2P
• Created WIHI Peer-to-Peer website that introduces P2P and shares mental health awareness past campaign materials, national and school mental health information, educational and mindfulness resources, and words of encouragement by WIHI students and staff
• P2P members changed their Zoom profile picture for the month of January to promote P2P and offer support to peers

Ann Arbor Open

“It’s Okay Not To Be Okay – Reach Out!”

• Continued posting on Instagram (@a2o_p2p(link is external)) to share facts about mental health, coping strategies, and mental health resources
• Created a mental health educational presentation that P2P members will be able to present to 5^th-8^th grade classes in the 2021-2022 school year
• Created community and continuity with engaging biweekly P2P meetings

Beach Middle School

“Depression is real, share how you feel” and “#EndStigma”

• Continued posting on Instagram (@bms_p2p(link is external)) to promote mental health awareness, share resources, and provide words of encouragement
• Collaborated with local chapter of SRSLY to create posters promoting mental health awareness and share with the Chelsea community
• Created and utilized P2P virtual zoom backgrounds to spread awareness of P2P and its members
• Designed and distributed stylus pens and stickers with their slogan to all BMS students during lunch, which included an educational speech about mental health and P2P

Clague Middle School

“Depression is Real, Hope is Real Too - When in Doubt, Talk it Out”

• Consistently met over Zoom to plan P2P campaign
• Attended Depression Center booster sessions
• Voted on new slogan:“Depression is Real, Hope is Real Too - When in Doubt, Talk it Out”
• Created three short mental health commercials to be shown in advisory classes which addressed:

○        What depression is

○        Signs and symptoms of depression

○        How to navigate to the counseling webpage

○        How to help others struggling with mental health

○        Local mental health resources

○        Signs of depression on social media

• Created a Kahoot game to be played in advisory classes after watching mental health commercials to reinforce core messaging concepts
• Read and reviewed mental health-themed books from the new Clague Mental Health Library, which is available in-person and virtually
• Purchased physical copies of students’ favorite mental-health themed books to stock the mobile Clague Mental Health Library, as well as a shelf with wheels to move around the school

Forsythe Middle School

“Treat Mental Illness Like a Broken Bone”

• Created a P2P Mental Health tab on Schoology which included links for:
  • Information about P2P
  • Resources
  • Forsythe support staff
  • Self-care tools
  • Positive messages
  • Depression symptoms
  • Distributed bracelets with their slogan to raise awareness about mental illness and share information about the P2P group
  • Passed out laptop stickers with the Community Mental Health 24/7 CARES line
  • Video and classroom presentations about signs and symptoms of depression/anxiety and where to seek help

Lincoln Middle School

• P2P students created a video to share as part of a virtual educational event for Lincoln Consolidated Schools stakeholders, including students and parents, highlighting available resources and programming in the area
• Team facilitated virtual and hybrid classroom presentations with information about depression/anxiety and resources
• Organized a raffle for students who actively participated in presentations
• Distributed lanyards that couldn’t be distributed last year due to COVID-19 pandemic

Milan Middle School

“Pain is SO real, but so is HOPE”

• First year participating in Peer-to-Peer
• Designed wristbands with their school colors and slogans to distribute next year
• Created a Kahoot game to test student knowledge about mental health
• Started creating a mental health classroom presentation that will be presented next fall to classes
• Plan on raffling off gift cards to those who engage with Kahoot game and classroom presentation this fall

Scarlett Middle School

“Sometimes It’s More Than Just a Bad Day”

• Distributed 750 pencils with their slogan
• Shared mental health messaging and resources via their Instagram (@scarlettp2p), including hosting a promotion to increase reach
• Ongoing counselor-led lessons and activities incorporated into advisory lessons
• Virtual mental health presentation that addressed the impact of the COVID-19 on mental health, isolation, and anxiety related to return to in-person learning

Slauson Middle School

“Stigma Hurts, Awareness Helps”

• Designed a P2P Schoology Badge that was put in place of teacher badges for class for one week to promote P2P
• Created video announcements about the four core messages and was shared school-wide in Advisory classes

Tappan Middle School

“Depression…You Can’t Just Snap Out of It”

• Team continued to meet with the goal to raise awareness about depression, share resources, and educate their classmates
• Hosted an all-school virtual assembly with two college students who shared their experiences with mental health struggles and help-seeking which included time for Q&A
• Distributed 800 wristbands with their slogan
• Shared mental health messaging and resources regularly via their Instagram (@tapp2p)

Washtenaw International Middle Academy

“You don’t have to struggle in silence” 

• Brought P2P members together to brainstorm mental health awareness campaign ideas for the future

Image

Each school teams of approximately 5-30 students each were selected by their teachers and counselors to attend one of two mental health educational conferences, on Oct. 24th or Nov 4th, 2019, at the University of Michigan Depression Center. The students participated in educational presentations to improve their knowledge of depression and anxiety, led by clinicians as well as presenters sharing their personal experiences with mental health issues. Also included was information on substance use, Photovoice, culturally relevant mental health, yoga, practical strategies for planning an effective awareness campaign, and time to brainstorm ideas for their campaign with their group. 

Following the opening conference, and with assistance from Faculty Mentors at each school, each team submitted a plan for their Peer-to-Peer project in December 2019, and then began implementing their campaigns January – May 2020. Unfortunately, all of the schools’ campaign events were postponed in March 2020 due to pandemic school closures. Many schools showed creativity and flexibility by moving their campaigns to remote options. Below are summaries of each school’s completed and planned activities.

Chelsea High School

“#WISHYOU KNEW” | “#WHYYOUMATTER”

• Set up a kiosk in the main hallway to promote P2P team and mission regarding mental health awareness. Facts and resources regarding anxiety and depression were displayed along with folders with resources so students could grab them at any time
• Held an all school assembly with the #wishyouknew theme.
  • Presenters addressed mental illness, love for others, and perfectionism in a TED Talk format
  • The presenters included teachers, a current student, and a former student
  • In between each presenter videos were shown of students answering the question“wish you knew” along with the P2P core messages. School staff also walked on stage with their own "wish you knew" displayed visually on the stage
• After the assembly, there was a lesson for the students to create a postcard to send to an adult about things they #wishyouknew
  • During the lesson, students were reminded about the P2P core messages and how to seek help
  • All students received a bracelet to remind them of the lessons and how to find help. The bracelets said #wishyouknew #whyyoumatter
• Continued using Instagram (@whyyoumatterproject) to share students’ statements using the #wishyouknew prompt to promote mental health awareness
• P2P students and CHS staff planned to present to K-8 Chelsea students about the P2P core messages, how to seek help, and how to identify a trusted adult. After the lesson, they planned to have each student write a postcard to send to an adult about things they #wishyouknew
• Planned a Mental Health Awareness Week in March, which would include putting up professionally printed posters of CHS students holding a sign answering the questions “wish you knew…” as well as setting up a lunchroom display with resources and giveaways to raise awareness
• Planned to have postcards available throughout the community for adults to write a postcard to students or whoever they want about what they #wishyouknew
  • Planned to display postcards written by community members and students throughout the community by hanging them in business windows as a public art campaign to spread mental health awareness
  • Planned to invite the community to view the exhibit via a #wishyouknew week or open houses

Community High School

“Know Science, No Stigma”

• Year-long campaign, cut short by COVID-19
• Created bulletin message slides that would be read during forum (homeroom) twice a week. Bulletin messages focused on mental health facts, conversation starters, self-care strategies, and mental health resources in and outside of school
• Decorated school bulletin board with pictures of P2P Members (first time having more males than females), mental health posters, and a resource sheet
• Continued utilizing Instagram (@chsdag) and posting mental health facts, tips, and resources
• Created 12 poster designs and made ten copies of each design. Blanketed these posters all around the school
• Designed two stickers with slogan “Know Science, No Stigma” and each student received stickers
• P2P Members engaged in Photovoice project and shared their photographs and narratives during mini assemblies. After the assembly the Photovoice project was displayed on easels in the main hallway for the next two weeks
• Sponsored a poetry reading where former CHS teacher read from her new book about growing up with a bipolar mother. Selected students also read their own poetry
• Created banner that will be permanently displayed in main hallway recognizing
• DAG/P2P as a resource in the school and also lists crisis text line and Ozone House crisis line
• Planned three Friday wellness breaks in March offering yoga, meditation, and dance lunch breaks
• Planned to engage in #wishyouknew Washtenaw campaign by having students write postcards and to display banner in main hallway
• Planned finals week stress relief activities with bubbles and dum dums with messages of hope
• Planned mental health/substance use prevention theatre show in April with EMU Engage and Ypsilanti High

Early College Alliance

“No one should be left in the dark."

• Created Instagram page (@eca_peer2peer)
  • In bio, placed slogan and link to mental health resource
  • Posts introduced P2P members and shared mental health facts, self-care strategies, and resources
• Planned mental health awareness event with activities and educational presentations
• Planned staff presentation to share their perspective on youth mental health
• Planned art contest where students had to create art related to their slogan
• Planned to design wristbands, sticker, and goodie bags to distribute as prizes and giveaways at event

Early College Alliance

“Know Science – no stigma"

• Visited all 9 th grade World History classes in September to get the word out about Peer Lab / P2P
• Delivered depression/anxiety awareness presentation to all health classes (9 th /10 th grade)
  • Started with agree/disagree statements that students responded to by moving around room
  • Watched personal video stories using Athletes Connected and Maxwell Gray video
• Mental Health Awareness Week (3/9 – 3/13)
  • Delivered announcements about depression and anxiety each morning
  • Handed out wellness bags to every 3 rd hour class that included “how to help a friend” booklet from Washtenaw County Mental Health, stress ball, sticker, peppermints, and resource page
  • Planned mini assemblies that got cancelled that would have included guest speakers, performers, and group discussions around mental health
  • Planned reflection lessons after mini assemblies to process the content
  • Planned for other students outside of P2P to participate in #wishyouknew campaign
• Created 4-minute #wishyouknew video with P2P members, teachers, administrators, and other staff expressing their “I wish you knew…” statements
• Created Instagram (@huron_p2p) to spread outreach post-pandemic shutdown
  • Posted hopeful messages, educational content, and shared how P2P members were staying well
• Designed stickers with slogan that were placed in goodie bags

Early College Alliance

“#YouAreVisible"

• Hosted a Mental Health Awareness Basketball Game against Ypsilanti Community High School
  • Resource table with information on depression and anxiety
• Created t-shirts with their slogan for the Mental Health Awareness basketball game and week leading up to event
• Gave out stress balls, stickers, and bracelets with slogan
• Created an Instagram account to share mental health messages (@linctownp2p20)
• Hosted guest speaker Ed-Dee Williams, who presented on racial disparities in mental health
• Bulletin board with positive post-it notes
• Planned a Mental Health Awareness Week
• Daily announcements during Mental Health Awareness week
• • Hosted an assembly with guest speakers talking about depression, anxiety, and stigma reduction
  • Planned for a room where students could try multiple coping strategies
  • Planned to have P2P students present to classrooms about coping strategies and lead the class in 1-2 mindfulness activities

Manchester High School

• Self-Care Week – During exam weeks, the P2P Team had hot cocoa available for students during the breaks.  On the cups were positive words/phrases related to the importance of self-care, along with signs listing support resources within the school. 
• Offered free yoga from a certified yoga instructor to all students every day after school during exam week
• Mental Health Assembly - On February 8, 2019, Jeff Olsen from the “Do It For Daniel” campaign presented at Manchester, speaking with students about depression, anxiety, and suicide prevention.  
• Flowergrams – Students were able purchase flowers for one another (anonymously) with words of encouragement and positive statements 
• Messages of Support – Students placed mental health messaging and resources around the school via colorful posters and writing with mirror markers in bathrooms.
• Posters displayed around the school about signs and symptoms of depression and anxiety, how to help a friend, and healthy coping skills 

Michigan Islamic Academy

“With CommUNITY Comes Peace, With Hardship Comes Ease"

• Presentations in school assemblies regarding a variety of mental health topics
• A student shared a personal experience of how bullying impacted their mental health for National Bullying Prevention Month
• Shared information about eating disorders for National Eating Disorders Week
  • Students encouraged to wear purple
  • Mirror in hallway where students wrote positive messages
• Monthly Mental Health Talks
• Placed posters about how to cope with a panic attack in bathrooms
• Posters with inspirational individuals in the Muslim community
• Bulletin board with pictures of the P2P team members
• Mental health focused poetry and art competition
• Mailed all students a Ramadan card to support mental health during quarantine
• Created an Instagram account (@peer2peermia) that included:
  • Mental health messages
  • Videos with coping at home strategies
  • Collaborated with yearbook club to start #whatidoinquarantine
• Planned additional mental health talks around Sexual Assault Awareness month, study skills and stress reduction, Ramadan discussions and iftar, and a student-staff volleyball game to improve student-staff relationships

Milan High School

“When ‘I’ becomes ‘We’, Illness Becomes Wellness” | “Your Story Is Not Over"

• Students worked on P2P campaign during dedicated class time
• Planned Mental Health Awareness Week (3/23 – 3/27)
  • Photovoice: Four students created photos with matching narratives related to mental health that would have been put on display
  • Classroom presentations: Students co-created a mental health educational presentation to deliver to freshman history classes
  • Scavenger Hunt: Students co-created a scavenger hunt where students had to find different mental health facts within the building and the top finishers would receive prizes
  • Daily announcements: Announcements were to share mental health facts and resources
  • Pep Rally: Culmination of events with guest speaker sharing their personal story
  • Promotional Items: lanyards and wristbands with slogan “Your Story Is Not Over”

Pathways to Success High School

“You don’t have to be sick to get better"

• Planned campaign with the goal to increase awareness of facts around depression and
• provide resources for mental health
• Created Instagram account (@p2pathways) to share mental health messaging
• Planned to host a Mental Health Week to include:
  • School assembly with guest speaker
  • Daily mental health announcements
  • Flyers in bathroom stalls
  • Lunch informational resource table
  • Lunch & Learn Discussion in Media Center with information and food
• Planned to create stress-reduction kits to be given away during final exams
• Planned to hang posters throughout the school

Pioneer High School

“Connection is the Key"

• “Cross the Line” activity with P2P Members as team building activity
• Attended NAMI Out of the Darkness Walk and connected with broader Ann Arbor community
• Presented mental health education lesson to health classes and led small group discussions
• Led “Too much on your plate” activity with 9 th graders to talk about feeling overwhelmed and engaging in positive coping skills
• Decorated school with mental health educational posters with resource numbers and had a bulletin board display of P2P members near front entrance
• Conducted open P2P meetings to discuss mental health issues with peers not involved in P2P
• Distributed mental health resource bookmarks during finals week
• Coordinated all staff QPR training led by University of Michigan Depression Center team
• Planned to display P2P photovoice project for two weeks
• Planned mental health fair so that students can connect with and learn from community mental health organizations
• Planned mental health assembly with guest speakers sharing their personal story and P2P members sharing mental health facts, tips, and resources
• Created Google Classroom and Instagram (@aapioneerp2p) to continue to reach students post-pandemic shutdown

Pioneer High School

“When ‘I’ is Replaced With ‘We,’ Illness Becomes Wellness."

• Printed pencils with their slogan and the suicide hotline and distributed to all 11th graders
• Distributed fidgets to all 9 th graders
• Designed stickers with their slogan which were given out to 9 th graders
• Printed posters with mental health messaging and placed them all over the school
• Worked with an AP art student at the school to create a mural with the message, “Depression and Anxiety are real. You can’t just snap out of it.” It was painted by P2P students and located by one of the main stairwells to ensure wide visibility
• Created Instagram (@salinep2p) to continue to reach students post-pandemic shutdown

Skyline High School

“Eagles vs. Stigma"

• This year marked the largest P2P team to date
• P2P team members participated in a 3-hour SafeTalk suicide alertness training to enhance
• skills around identifying peers who may be at risk of suicide, ask directly about suicide and refer to resources
• Weekly morning announcements around a variety of mental health topics including seasonal depression, the importance of help-seeking, behavioral activation, and mental health resources
• Planned a school-wide “Eagles vs. Stigma Mental Health Summit”
  • Summit was to include grade specific breakout sessions led by Skyline staff and community professionals, in addition to a large group plenary session and self-care activities for school staff
  • Topics included: CBT/Mindfulness; Substance Abuse; How to Help a Friend in
• Crisis; Stress Management; Senior Transition/Mental Health in College; Social Identities; music and guest speakers sharing stories of how they sought help
• Purchased t-shirts for every student and staff member in the building with the slogan “Eagles vs. Stigma”
• Students were to receive the t-shirt at the event; Seniors were able to get their t-shirt when they picked up their cap and gown

Washtenaw International High School

“Your Mind Matters"

• Co-facilitated classroom presentations on depression and anxiety awareness to promote P2P’s core messages with counseling staff
• Created 4 poster designs and made ten copies of each design. Blanketed these posters all around the school
• Designed 3 different stickers and distributed to students throughout the campaign
• Held a P2P Passport: an all school assembly on mental health where students could pick break out sessions to attend such as yoga, educational presentations, mindfulness skills, and intersectionality sessions.
• Continued social media campaign on Instagram (@wihip2p) to promote mental health awareness, positive coping strategies, and maintain social connectedness during school closure

Washtenaw Technical Middle School

“It’s okay to not be okay"

• Changed leadership mid-year, were considering campaign activities when COVID-19 hit
• Designed and mailed postcards with mental health messaging and community resources to students during pandemic school closure to let students know that they are not alone
• Postcards also included tips for staying well and resources 

Ypsilanti ACCE

“Speaking the Truth. The Uncomfy is to be Discussed."

• Created Peer-to-Peer bulletin boards and posters with mental health messaging and resources
• Planned and began recording a podcast series to help start conversations about mental health and delve into issues dealing with stigma, support, and barriers to getting help
• Hosted guest speaker Ed-Dee Williams, who presented on racial disparities in mental health
• Began hosting a speaker series with guests including mental health experts and students/staff with personal experience
• Planned to create stress relief kits

Ypsilanti Community High School

“It’s okay not to be okay, let’s talk!"

• Established a Twitter account (@YPeer2peer) to share mental health resources and tips with their peers
• Created a bulletin board inside their cafeteria sharing posters created last year and pictures of the current P2P team to raise awareness of P2P within the school
• Created lanyard and wristband designs with slogan
• Planned Mental Health Awareness Week (3/16 – 3/20)
• Mental health resource table staffed by P2P members sharing mental health tips and resources as well as distributing lanyards and wristbands 

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Ann Arbor Open School

“It’s Okay to Not Be Okay”

• Held weekly Friday lunch meetings with Peer-to-Peer (P2P) members starting in late October to teach symptomatology, mental health stigma, and communication skills; to role-play and practice active listening skills, giving empathy, and how to refer someone to a trusted adult. These meetings continued via Google Meet after school closure
• Completed a kickoff mental health awareness assembly for grades 5-8 in January with Will Heininger sharing his personal experience as well as introducing the P2P members
• Reused last year’s posters that shared mental health statistics, positive coping strategies, tips on how to help a friend who is struggling, resources, and encouragement for their peers to take mental health seriously
• Created an Instagram (@a2o_p2p(link is external)) to spread messages of resilience, self-care and mental health awareness after the school closure
• Several students participated in the U-M Depression Center video challenge to promote P2P core messages and one Ann Arbor Open student won! The winning video(link is external) was shared with the A2O community via Instagram, Twitter, and Counseling Google Classroom page
• Planned to hold a Mental Health Awareness Week that would include a visiting yoga instructor to hold sessions, a student-created help-seeking video to be shared with advisories, and student-designed stress balls with the slogan “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” 
• Planned to create a bulletin board outside of counselor’s office with pictures of all of the P2P student leaders

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Beach Middle School

“#endstigma”

• Decorated a bulletin board introducing all of the Peer-to-Peer (P2P) members, P2P four core messages, and celebrities with mental health concerns
• Designed a Mental Health Matters sticker with the slogan #endstigma that were to be given to every student during Mental Health Matters Day
• Shared a student-created mindfulness video that was played during morning announcements
• Created an Instagram (@bms_p2p(link is external)) and Twitter (@bms_p(link is external)2p) to spread positive messages, self-care, and mental health awareness after school closure
• Students participated in the U-M Depression Center video challenge to promote P2P core messages and they were shared on the P2P resource website
• Created a video about completed and planned campaign activities as well as personal testimony from three P2P students for the P2P End of Year Celebration
• Planned to hold a Mental Health Matters day in March that would include: 

  • Mental health 101 session: students would learn about depression and anxiety 

  • One speaker per grade level to share their personal story with mental health

  • Coping skills fair, yoga, and mindfulness: Learn different methods and practice

  • Star Wars dodgeball games: students would have to respond to questions about mental health to re-enter the game after getting out

• Planned to hold a Mental Health Facts Scavenger Hunt that would include posting clues on the bulletin board for a scavenger hunt type activity that would involve researching mental health facts and students could win prizes event

Clague Middle School

“Speak Up… Stop the Silence”

• Designed stickers with slogan and bookmarks with coping strategies and mental health resources
• Delivered virtual coping strategy and mindfulness sessions during advisory post-pandemic school closure 
• Planned Mental Health Awareness Day in April with P2P Members coordinating and facilitating different stations

• • Mindfulness and Meditation station: Learn benefits and practice

  • Personal experience station: Bring in guest speaker sharing their experience with depression or anxiety

  • Therapy dog station: Learn benefits and experience therapy dogs

  • Self-care + coping strategies station: Learn different methods and practice

  • Kahoot station: Learn more about depression and anxiety and get to test their knowledge

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Forsythe Middle School

“Sometimes It’s More Than Just a Bad Day”

• Planned a series of weekly announcements for “Talk it out Tuesday”
• Planned Community Day slideshows to be led by P2P members in advisory classes to share information about depression, anxiety, and available resources
• Planned to create a bulletin board with mental health messaging
• Planned to hand out lanyards and stickers with their slogan, “Sometimes It’s More Than Just a Bad Day”
• Planned to host an assembly with high school speakers to share their experiences struggling with mental health issues in order to reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking

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Lincoln Middle School

“Speak Up... Stop the Silence.”

• Created skit about a student named Jack who is showing signs of depression and how a friend was able to identify that Jack may have depression and connected them to help
• Delivered lesson after skit busting myths about depression and discussing what mental health resources are available within and outside of school
• Provided time after lesson for students to ask questions to P2P members and then showed them the P2P 10-year celebration video to highlight the program and the LMS team members in the video
• Planned to pass out lanyards they designed and raffle off gift cards to students that engaged in the presentation

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Mill Creek Middle School

“When I Becomes We, Illness Becomes Wellness”

• Set overall campaign goals “to raise awareness that depression is a real illness and not something that you can just ‘snap out of,’ to decrease stigma, and increase help-seeking”
• Other major aim was to increase understanding of how people’s words impact others’ mental health and wellbeing
• P2P team members facilitated presentations in all health classes that included mental health education and conversation. Following the presentation, P2P members saw:
• oMany students left with a better understanding of depression and how to get help
• oStudents reached out to counselors and P2P members
• oAn increased understanding among students about the importance of not joking about depression/not creating stigma 
• oChanges could be seen directly after the presentation
• Hosted a series of small group presentations for the whole school with guest speaker Will Heininger, who shared his personal battle with depression and anxiety, and allowed students to ask questions about his story, as well as their own mental health and wellbeing
• P2P team presented at a Mill Creek staff meeting with the goal of increasing comfort of student-staff discussions around mental health issues
• Created “Take a Compliment Posters” that included tear-off compliments which could be passed around to peers
• Displayed a series of posters with mental health messaging
• Expanded on the previous year’s Butterfly Project, which included displays of butterflies with positive messaging 
• Planned to host an assembly with high school speakers to share their experiences struggling with mental health issues in order to reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking

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Scarlett Middle School

“Sometimes It’s More Than Just a Bad Day”

• Poster campaign throughout the school with P2P messages and resources which was updated twice
• Bulletin board in lunchroom with information on how to "beat the winter blues"
• Created "Mental Health Monday" slides that were included in the school's CCA (homeroom) lessons over several weeks
• Planned additional bulletin board designs to be rotated over the course of the year with different mental health messaging
• Ordered pencils for the entire school with their slogan, “Sometimes It’s More Than Just a Bad Day” to be handed out in the spring
• Planned a ‘positive message board’ with "encourage-mints" campaign in the cafeteria

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Slauson Middle School

“Out of the Blue, Into the Bright”

• Developed weekly announcements to educate peers about depression and anxiety
• Created a bulletin board with the slogan “Out of the Blue, Into the Bright” as well as informational posters about mental health and resources
• Designed and planned to give away wristbands with their slogan “Out of the Blue, Into the Bright” and the Crisis Text Line as well as stickers that said “Mental Health Matters”
• Planned to display posters with positive mental health messaging around the school
• Planned to host an information + resource table outside of the cafeteria, with resources on depression and anxiety, as well as giveaways for students
• Planned to present to peers in health class about depression and mental health awareness

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Tappan Middle School

“Know Science, No Stigma”

• P2P students wore their P2P T-shirts every Thursday to spread awareness
• Depression Facts Announcements that included P2P four core messages
• Depression Facts Posters that included P2P four core messages
• Wristband distribution with the “Know Science, No Stigma” slogan to all students
• School-wide presentation/assembly with Will Heininger who shared his personal story with depression and help-seeking 
• Planned to produce a video to educate students about the P2P member role and four core messages that would be shown during Trojan Time (Advisory)
• Planned to collaborate with the TMS Student Equity Team to facilitate classroom presentations to educate students about adolescents and their mental health

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Washtenaw Middle School

“Your Mind Matters”

• Co-facilitated classroom sessions on depression and anxiety awareness to promote P2P’s four core messages with the P2P mentor
• Designed four posters that included the slogan “Your Mind Matters” using the black dog theme from their video presentation to classrooms along with resources and P2P four core messages and hung them throughout the school
• Collaborated with the Washtenaw International High School P2P team to create and distribute 3 student-designed stickers with their slogan
• Held a P2P Passport all school assembly on mental health where students could pick breakout sessions to attend such as yoga, educational presentations, mindfulness skills, and intersectionality sessions 

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Ypsilanti Community Middle School

“Speak Up… Stop the Silence”

• Created a “Take a Heart – Leave a Heart” display that showed members of the P2P team as well as messages of encouragement that students could write for someone else or could take a message for themselves
• Planned to create an all-day multimedia show and have students come in to learn more about depression and anxiety. Different groups of students planned different presentations including posters, photographs, skits, painting, slide shows, songs, and cartoons
• Planned to pass out water bottles, buttons, and cards with P2P slogan and mental health resource information

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Each school teams of approximately 5-30 students each were selected by their teachers and counselors to attend one of two mental health educational conferences, on Oct. 24th or Nov 4th ,2019, at the University of Michigan Depression Center. The students participated in educational presentations to improve their knowledge of depression and anxiety, led by clinicians as well as presenters sharing their personal experiences with mental health issues. Also included was information on substance use, Photovoice, culturally relevant mental health, yoga, practical strategies for planning an effective awareness campaign, and time to brainstorm ideas for their campaign with their group. 

Following the opening conference, and with assistance from Faculty Mentors at each school, each team submitted a plan for their Peer-to-Peer project in December 2019, and then began implementing their campaigns January – May 2020. Unfortunately, all of the schools’ campaign events were postponed in March 2020 due to pandemic school closures. Many schools showed creativity and flexibility by moving their campaigns to remote options. Below are summaries of each school’s completed and planned activities.

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Chelsea High School

“What's your common thread?”

• Set up a kiosk in the main hallway to promote P2P team and mission regarding mental health awareness. Facts and resources regarding anxiety and depression were displayed along with folders with resources so students could grab them at any time

• Held an all school assembly with the #wishyouknew theme.
  • Presenters addressed mental illness, love for others, and perfectionism in a TED Talk format
  • The presenters included teachers, a current student, and a former student
  • In between each presenter videos were shown of students answering the question “wish you knew” along with the P2P core messages. School staff also walked on stage with their own “wish you knew” displayed visually on the stage
• After the assembly, there was a lesson for the students to create a postcard to send to an adult about things they #wishyouknew
• During the lesson, students were reminded about the P2P core messages and how to seek help
• All students received a bracelet to remind them of the lessons and how to find help. The bracelets said #wishyouknew and #whyyoumatter
• Continued using Instagram (@whyyoumatterproject(link is external)) to share students’ statements using the #wishyouknew prompt to promote mental health awareness
• P2P students and CHS staff planned to present to K-8 Chelsea students about the P2P core messages, how to seek help, and how to identify a trusted adult. After the lesson, they planned to have each student write a postcard to send to an adult about things they #wishyouknew
• Planned a Mental Health Awareness Week in March, which would include putting up professionally printed posters of CHS students holding a sign answering the questions “wish you knew…” as well as setting up a lunchroom display with resources and giveaways to raise awareness
• Planned to have postcards available throughout the community for adults to write a postcard to students or whoever they want about what they #wishyouknew
• Planned to display postcards written by community members and students throughout the community by hanging them in business windows as a public art campaign to spread mental health awareness
• Planned to invite the community to view the exhibit via a #wishyouknew week or open houses

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Community High School

“Stigma Hurts. Awareness Helps.”

• Conducted four panel presentations with Q&A that 500 students attended. Panelists included a high school student, college student, and teacher
• Created 10 bulletin messages that would be read during forum (homeroom) twice a week for five weeks. Bulletin messages focused on facts, conversation starters, self-care strategies, and mental health resources
• Conducted forum presentations where they expanded on bulletin messages and showed the Seize the Awkward video
• Created Depression Awareness Group Instagram account (@chsdag) generating 145 follows and 106 messages to expand their reach to social media
  • Spotlighted each of the Depression Awareness Group members in an “about me” post
  • Raffled off gift card at the end of their campaign to a student who followed their account and commented on something they learned from the campaign this year
• Decorated school bulletin board with pictures of P2P Members, mental health posters, and a resource sheet
• Partnered with social theatre collective to do four shows that touched on motivational interviewing, mental health, and drug abuse through theater presentations
• Created eight new posters that were hung all over school
• Created four stress buster events: yoga, jitter bug, bubbles, and dum dums with messages of hope
• Created two laptop sticker designs and passed out two stickers to each student
• Designed permanent hallway mural celebration program’s 10-year anniversary

Early College Alliance

“Know Science – no stigma"

• First year participating in Peer to Peer program
• Designed lanyards with campaign slogan, “It’s okay to not be okay. Reach out!”
• Visited 4^th hour classes to introduce P2P, share depression facts and resources, as well as hand out lanyards
• Created messages of hope bulletin board with paper hearts of positive mental health messages that students can take. Students can also write a message of their own. The bulletin board also had their campaign slogan and a list of mental health resources.

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Huron High School

“Know Science – no stigma"

• Organized student mental health assembly featuring three students sharing their personal experiences with depression, anxiety, and suicide through spoken word, poems, or song.
• Planned and held a Parent Education Night for Mental Health. Dr. Harry Rai, a psychiatrist from the UM Depression Center, headlined the evening
• Created video showcasing what the peer lab is, students part of the peer lab, and counselors you can go to for help
• Gave away stickers students designed with their slogan on it
• Visited Health classes to present to peers on Depression & Anxiety

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Lincoln

“Think in Color"

• Hosted a Mental Health Awareness Basketball Game against Ypsilanti Community High School
  • Resource table with information on depression and anxiety
• Created t-shirts with their slogan for the Mental Health Awareness basketball game and week leading up to
• Organized an ethnically and socially diverse group of students to reach as many of their peers as possible
• Created and distributed rainbow-colored wristbands and stress balls with their slogan, “Think in Color.” The slogan refers to a common human cognitive tendency, ‘Thinking in black and white,’ a distortion our brains actually prefer, evolutionarily, because it saves energy to not have to consider multiple possibilities. It served as a reminder to see things on a spectrum instead of making them binary, i.e. “Good” OR “Bad.”
• Distributed stickers with mental health resources
• Distributed business cards with their slogan “Think in Color” paired with mental health resources
• Passed out stress relieving keychains

Manchester High School

• Self-Care Week – During exam weeks, the P2P Team had hot cocoa available for students during the breaks.  On the cups were positive words/phrases related to the importance of self-care, along with signs listing support resources within the school. 
• Offered free yoga from a certified yoga instructor to all students every day after school during exam week
• Mental Health Assembly - On February 8, 2019, Jeff Olsen from the “Do It For Daniel” campaign presented at Manchester, speaking with students about depression, anxiety, and suicide prevention.  
• Flowergrams – Students were able purchase flowers for one another (anonymously) with words of encouragement and positive statements 
• Messages of Support – Students placed mental health messaging and resources around the school via colorful posters and writing with mirror markers in bathrooms.
• Posters displayed around the school about signs and symptoms of depression and anxiety, how to help a friend, and healthy coping skills 

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Michigan Islamic Academy

“With CommUNITY Comes Peace, With Hardship Comes Ease"

• First year participating in P2P Program
• Hot Cocoa and Discussion – hosted small get-togethers for students during lunch time on specified dates, in which students could come in, grab a cup of hot cocoa and a snack (cookies, brownies), and engage in a discussion about mental health. 
• Fundraising Dinner - The school hosted a fundraising dinner, where the P2P members presented to the parents. The group performed a skit, and invited a guest speaker from the P2P Kickoff Conference. The event helped raise awareness and decrease stigma within the parent community
• Poetry Slam – In February, the P2P club hosted a poetry slam. Students could send in their poems anonymously or read them aloud themselves. Following the poems, all the students were encouraged to participate in a discussion about the poetry. 
• Staff Meeting – The P2P students, along with their staff mentors, spoke about their mental health campaign and what they hoped to accomplish. Teachers were taught how to notice when students need help, how to engage that help, and how to warmly hand the student off to the mental health professional or care provider.
• 5th Grade Presentations – Presented to 5th graders about physical and emotional regulation. The school is hoping to establish something ongoing for the 5th graders, since they aren’t eligible for P2P until they reach 6th grade.
• Posters displayed around the school with their slogan and resources

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Milan High School

“Where there's help, there's hope!"

• Created and distributed Stress Bags the week leading up to SATs, in conjunction with the school’s LifeSavers Group, a suicide prevention and awareness group for students. Stress bags contained fidget toys, coloring pages, and colored pencils
• Worked with art students to create mental health posters
• Held bake sale to raise funds for P2P 

Pathways to Success High School

“You don’t have to be sick to get better"

• Designed and painted massive Mental Health mural on school wall
  • Message reads: “You don’t have to be sick to get better”
• Displayed Mental Health posters throughout the school.
  • Messaging included how to seek help, normalizing, positive coping skills, and signs & symptoms
• Wore P2P T-Shirts regularly to increase awareness amongst fellow students

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Pioneer High School

“Self-Care isn’t Selfish"

• Attended staff meeting to help teachers and administrators better understand student stress, and how it relates to mental health issues
• Presented to 9th and 10th graders about Depression, Anxiety, and Mental Health
• Offered lunch circle for students to discuss best self-care methods
• Distributed wristbands with slogan “Self-care isn’t Selfish”
• Created posters with slogan and posters with tear-off sheets that had resources
• Decorated display case in school hallway to show P2P Members and mental health resources
• Made suggestions to administration about spreading out testing

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Saline High School

“Don’t Hide Out, Speak Out"

• Over the course of the year distributed stress balls and wristbands with their slogan
• Gave a supply of pencils with their slogan to every teacher, to hand out when students needed them
• Displayed posters about depression, anxiety, how to help a friend, and healthy coping skills
• Hosted an assembly for all Juniors and Seniors. P2P team members shared information about depression, anxiety, and resources, and a guest speaker shared his story of struggle and help-seeking while a student at the University of Michigan

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Skyline High School

“Pain Is Real, Hope Is 2"

• Provided fellow students with brief mental health messages on morning announcements
• Gave away wristbands and stress balls with slogan, “Pain is Real, Hope is 2”.
• Wore P2P T-Shirts regularly to increase awareness amongst fellow students
• Hung posters with positive mental health messaging to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and promote help-seeking among peers
• Hosted an evening screening of “The Ripple Effect” documentary, open to students, parents, and community members

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Washtenaw International High School

“Your Mind Matters” | “Reduce the stigma, Reach out for help, End the cycle” | “Got Awareness?"

• Second year participating in Peer to Peer program
• Held school-wide assembly dedicated to mental health awareness and promoting the P2P program and mental health campaign
• Created posters and stickers that promoted mental health awareness, help-seeking resources and reducing stigma
• During EDJI Day (Equity/Diversity/Justice/Inclusion) P2P Members partnered with the Diversity Alliance team to facilitate a social justice discussion on the toll that inequality and advocating for human rights can have on your mental health
• Held Mental Health Awareness Spirit Week that included numerous events including handing out stickers, self-care workshops, lunchtime announcements and activities that promoted mental health knowledge, creating a wellness wall, and facilitated a discussion on how intersectional identities impact mental health stigma
   

Washtenaw Technical Middle School

“Pain is Real. So is Hope."

• 1st year participating in P2P program
• Created poster displaying depression posters, resources, and list of P2P Members
• Assembled a positive messages board using wooden hearts for students to take and leave a message, from and for each other
• Distributed wristbands with “Pain is Real. So is Hope.” slogan

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Ypsilanti ACCE

“I want you to be alive. 1-800-273-8255."

• First year implementing Peer to Peer program
• Peer 2 Peer Bulletin Boards - photos of all the P2P students, along with facts/stats about mental health and illness, mental health memes, and available resources
• Taught a lesson about mental health, depression, and suicide awareness to middle school students. They also showed Logic’s “1-800-273-8255” music video and held a discussion afterwards.
• Created stress relief kits for students that included a stress ball, mints, lip balm, wristband, and a list of stress relief tips.

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Ypsilanti Community High School

“You’re not the only soldier on the field!” #GrizzliesGotYou"

• Held an in-school mental health assembly with an EMU student as the guest speaker. The student has anxiety and lost a close friend to suicide. She shared her story to junior and senior classes and held a Q&A afterwards.
• Created three new posters focused on mental health awareness, help-seeking, and coping strategies
• Hosted an informational mental health resource table at lunch for a week that had brochures of local mental health resources
  • Students that visited the table were entered into a raffle for gift cards
  • Students were offered stress balls and wristbands as a reward for learning more about mental health 

Interest in the program continues to grow as P2P enters its second decade, with the number of participating schools increasing from five Ann Arbor high schools in 2009, to 16 high schools and 11 middle schools throughout Washtenaw County in the 2018-19 academic year. 

These school teams of approximately 5-30 students each were selected by their teachers and counselors to attend one of two mental health educational conferences, on Oct. 25 or 29, 2018, at the University of Michigan Depression Center. The students participated in educational presentations to improve their knowledge of depression and anxiety, led by clinicians as well as presenters sharing their personal experiences with mental health issues. Also included was information on loneliness, alcohol and other drugs, reframing failure, self-care, practical strategies for planning an effective awareness campaign, and time to brainstorm ideas for their campaign with their group.

Following the opening conference, and with assistance from Faculty Mentors at each school, each team submitted a plan for their P2P project in December 2018, and then began implementing their campaigns January–May, 2019.

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Ann Arbor Open School

“It’s Okay to Not Be Okay”

• Created 13 posters sharing mental health statistics, positive coping skills, tips on how to help a friend who is struggling, resources, and encouragement for their peers to take mental health seriously 
• Coordinated a week-long focus study open to grades 6-8 where current P2P leaders talked about their experience with P2P, recruited 6th graders to join the team next school year, and taught communication skills for helping a friend who is struggling with mental health issues through role play
• Held a meet & eat event one morning where parents and students can learn about P2P, view posters, get bracelets & bookmarks, and chat with P2P members while eating donuts and clementines

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Beach Middle School

“When I becomes We, Illness becomes Wellness”

• Held ‘Mindfulness Mondays,’ where students heard mindfulness facts and exercises
• Students heard weekly mental health announcements over the PA, alternating between facts and relaxation techniques
• Created wristbands with slogan “When I becomes We, Illness becomes Wellness”
• Distributed wristbands to peers on Mindfulness Mondays
• Decorated school showcase/bulletin board monthly to highlight P2P’s mission and members
• Held a ‘Mental Health + Stress Relief Spirit Week,’ designed to engage peers in activities that increase mental health awareness and help-seeking

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Clague Middle School

“Speak Up…Stop the Silence”

• Set an overall campaign goal ‘to spread awareness and reduce the stigma about mental health, so that Clague students feel comfortable seeking help”
• Held three mini assemblies in which P2P students helped their fellow peers better understand mental health and why it’s important, by sharing mental health facts and a P2P Member’s personal experience with depression and suicidal ideation through an original rap. After the information sharing, Clark the Juggler performed an engaging juggling routine and shared his personal experience with mental health issues and psychiatric hospitalization
• Created lesson plans to present to 6th- 8th grade-level peers about mental health and led a discussion on mental health issues that students face that followed the assembly
• Designed and distributed stress balls with slogan “Speak Up…Stop the Silence” to peers
• Hung 30 copies of three student-designed posters that promoted mental health awareness and resources throughout the school building

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Forsythe Middle School

“Talk it Out!”

• Organized brief lessons on anxiety and depression that the entire student body received during advisory (homeroom) period, in their respective classrooms
• Team members crafted weekly morning announcements that focus on signs & symptoms of depression and anxiety, heard by all students and staff over the PA system
• Created and displayed mental health posters around the school
• Designed and distributed 700 wristbands with their slogan, TALK IT OUT! text TALK to 741-741 (Crisis Text Line)
• Held full-school assembly on March 30th, 2019, where students heard about guest speaker Will Heininger’s personal battle with depression and anxiety, and were able to ask questions about his story, as well as their own mental health and well-being

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Lincoln Middle School

“Depression is real. Help is too!”

• Set goals to improve awareness around depression, to connect peers with resources for getting help, and specifically to increase students’ understanding of the challenges LGBTQ+ individuals can face with respect to mental health, and related care.
• Presented lesson plan developed last year to six new classrooms sharing mental health myths vs. facts and mental health resources, including the Trevor Lifeline 
• Wrote and performed a brief skit for peers in health classes, in which a student is being bullied for identifying as LGBTQ+ and has been feeling down and suicidal recently. A fellow student notices the student being bullied is upset and asks them what’s wrong and  gives them options of where to go to get help and ends up walking with them to the counselor’s office.
• Designed stress balls with “Depression is real. Help is too!” slogan, distributed in health classes
• Distributed mental health resource stickers stating where you can call, text, or get in-person help if you are struggling

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Mill Creek Middle School

“Sometimes, it’s more than just a bad day”

• Set overall campaign goals “to raise awareness that depression is a real illness and not something that you can just ‘snap out of,’ to decrease stigma, and increase help-seeking”
• Students facilitated mental health education breakout sessions as part of an all-school, full-day “Mental Health Matters” event which included a variety of speakers and workshops. 
• Made ‘Take a Heart, Leave a Heart’ bulletin board in which students could send and receive positive, encouraging mental health messages
• Placed brochures and resources about P2P and mental health near the ‘Take a Heart, Leave a Heart’ board so fellow students could access them
• Held a Parent Education Night on March 7th, 2019, where parents could learn how depression might affect their children. As part of the event, two guest speakers, including a high school student, shared their personal experiences with mental health, and the P2P students spoke directly to parents about the ways depression and other mental health issues affect themselves and/or friends, and ways parents can effectively support those struggling.
• Co-facilitated classroom presentations with the school counselor and P2P mentor
• Held Mental Health Awareness Week in May during standardized testing
• Designed and distributed heart-shaped stress balls with the P2P logo to all students 

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Scarlett Middle School

“It’s okay not to be okay”

• Designed a series of lesson plans to highlight and explain P2P, their campaign, and to teach fellow students about signs and symptoms of depression and anxiety
• Delivered lessons to peers in CCA (homeroom) in March
• Ordered and distributed pencils with “It’s okay not to be okay” slogan to every student
• Helped peers understand mindfulness as a concept and a skill
• Created original, unique posters to help educate peers about mental health. Posters were displayed in high-visibility areas around the school, such as drinking fountains and bathrooms
• Made a ‘Positive Message Board’ in the cafeteria where students could “leave a note/take a note,” and worked with students in their grade levels to populate the board with messages

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Slauson Middle School

“Depression is real, hope is real 2”

• P2P students wore their P2P T-shirts on Wednesdays to spread awareness
• Developed weekly announcements to educate peers about Depression during February
• Created and displayed posters with positive mental health messaging around the school
• Hosted an information + resource table outside of the cafeteria, with resources on depression and anxiety, as well as giveaways for students
• Created and designed fortune cookies with mental health facts and supportive messages inside
• Presented to peers in health class about depression and mental health awareness

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Tappan Middle School

“Know Science, No Stigma”

• Ordered wristbands and stickers, some containing resources like the National Suicide Hotline number, and some with affirmations and positive messaging
• Presented to fellow students in advisory (homeroom), including a game with facts and resources on depression, and giveaways for peers
• Created announcements to be read over the PA with mental health facts and information, and highlighting mindfulness activities for students on Fridays.
• Created posters with “Know Science, No Stigma” slogan, as well as facts and resources, to be placed around the school in areas with high visibility
• Decorated bulletin board with P2P group picture, announcements, and reminders

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Washtenaw Middle School

“Trust to Discuss”  “Do Tell Someone”

• Set an overall campaign goal of promoting positive change in the conversation about depression and mental health at WIMA/WIHI, through education
• Created lanyards for students with P2P team slogans encouraging help-seeking
• Hung posters throughout the middle school with resources, as well as the following messages:
  • "Dont' Tell Someone"
  • "Trust to Discuss"
  • "Working Together to End the Stigma"
  • "Mental Health is just as important as Physical Health"
  • "Not all Illnesses are Visible"

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Ypsilanti Community Middle School

“Depression is real – share how you feel”

• Set overall campaign goal to offer information and support to peers about depression and anxiety
• Made a PPT presentation to help teach peers about mental health and P2P 
• Gave 15-minute presentations to fellow students in advisory (homeroom) classes
• Rewarded students who engaged with the presentation (e.g. listened, ask questions) by entering them into a raffle for a $5 gift card that would be given to one student per advisory class
• Designed wristbands with “Depression is real – share how you feel” slogan; distributed to peers

Interest in the program continues to grow as Peer-to- Peer (P2P) enters its second decade, with the number of participating schools increasing from five Ann Arbor high schools in 2009, to 10 high schools throughout Washtenaw County as well as two high schools in Oakland County during the 2017-2018 academic year. This year also marked P2P’s first time in middle schools, partnering with nine local middle schools to address the need for early mental health education, identification, and help-seeking.

These school teams of approximately 5-30 students each were selected by their teachers and counselors to attend a mental health educational conference on October 24th, 2017. The students participated in educational presentations to improve their knowledge of depression and anxiety, led by clinicians as well as presenters sharing their personal experiences with mental health issues. During break-out sessions they learned why those who identify as LGBTQ+ are at higher risk for mental health issues, learned the basics of cognitive behavioral therapy, role played how to respond to peers who are struggling, and practiced yoga and mindfulness techniques. Also included was information on practical strategies for planning an effective awareness campaign, and time to brainstorm ideas for their campaign with their group.

Following the opening conference, and with assistance from Faculty Mentors at each school, each team submitted a plan for their Peer-to-Peer project in December 2017, and then began implementing their campaigns January – May, 2018. Below are summaries of each school’s activities.

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Community High School
 “Stigma Hurts. Awareness Helps” | “When I become We, Illness becomes Wellness” | “Know Science; No Stigma” | “Don’t Believe Everything You Think”

Year-long campaign

• Tear off sheet flyers in bathroom advertising crisis text line and suicide hotline
• Laminated green colored sheets in each classroom with a list of local youth mental health resources
• Created mental health safe space posters that were displayed outside of classrooms and offices. If someone had it on their door that meant they were comfortable talking about mental health issues with their students and in their classroom
• Starting in mid-January, provided forum bulletin messages (all-school announcements) twice per week. Messages either shared a mental health statistic, showed a video on mental health, or provided inspirational quotes
• In February, students screened the documentary “Angst” during school, and in the evening provided the same opportunity to parents and community members . Over 350 people attended the screening and a debrief was provided afterwards in forum for students, while a panel was held for parents.
• In March, they blanketed their school walls with eight variations of mental health awareness posters. They also provided wellness breaks on two Fridays in March during lunch. One wellness break focused on meditation/relaxation and the other was dancing the jitterbug!
• Throughout the month of March and April they visited forums to describe the Depression Awareness Group and explained how symptoms are both common and treatable, and that you’re not alone.
• Throughout the 2nd semester they had a bulletin board in the main school hallways and put up pictures of each of the P2P Members, the posters/stickers they created, and resource sheets
• Collaborated with EMU and Advanced Health class to create a 16-minute show that all forums attended. The content was focused on substance use and mental health. A debrief in each forum was given afterwards.

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Holly High School
“Stigma Hurts, Awareness Helps”

• First year implementing Peer to Peer program
• Introduced P2P at staff meeting
• Introduced P2P at Snowcoming assembly in February
• Made stress relief bags for the entire school with the P2P logo they created. Each bag had a positive mental health message on it such as “You’re unbeatable,” “You got this,” and “Just Breathe.” Inside the bags were pencils, erasers, and stress balls that had their slogan, “Stigma Hurts, Awareness Helps”
• In March, they held two assemblies that reached the whole student body. During the assembly students, teachers, and youth community members shared their personal story of living with a mental illness. Between each story P2P members shared facts about depression, anxiety, and mental health resources available both locally and nationally

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Huron High School
“Stigma Hurts, Awareness Helps”

Organized an assembly titled “Awareness Through the Arts.” Students from Huron High School performed original songs, read poetry, and gave personal testimonials about their experiences with mental illness. In between each performance, P2P Members shared statistics on depression and anxiety and both local and national resources.
P2P Members had the psychology classes create mental health awareness posters that were posted around the school. Each poster had their slogan and at least one mental health resource listed on it.

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Lincoln High School
“Think in Color”

Organized an ethnically and socially diverse group of students to reach as many of their peers as possible
Created and distributed rainbow-colored wristbands and stress balls with their slogan, “Think in Color.” The slogan refers to a common human cognitive distortion, ‘Thinking in black and white,’ a tendency our brains actually prefer, evolutionarily, because it saves energy to not have to consider multiple possibilities. It served as a reminder to see things on a spectrum instead of making them binary, i.e. “Good OR Bad.”
Covered high-visibility areas in their school, such as near drinking fountains and in bathrooms, with mental health posters about help-seeking, normalizing mental health issues, reducing stigma, and raising awareness
Engaged art students to make mental-health related exhibit in school display case, containing ‘P2P’ in large letters, signed in all different colors by fellow students, accompanied by P2P posters and giveaways
Put on a full-school assembly in April to directly address mental health with their peers; topics covered include awareness, stigma, self-care, warning signs, and personal experiences. Staff P2P mentors received spike in applications to join the P2P program following the assembly.

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Milan High School
“Get treated, get depression defeated!”

In January, P2P Members created a light box display picturing all the Peer2Peer Members so that students knew who to talk to if they want to know more about mental health
In March, P2P Members hosted an all school assembly. P2P Members introduced who they are at the beginning of the assembly and the purpose of their group. Followed by their introduction, Traci Carson, a U-M PhD candidate, provided information on anxiety and shared her personal story. After Traci’s story, a past P2P video was played talking about depression and they wrapped up the assembly by sharing local resources. Students exiting the assembly were handed a wristband with their slogan on it.
Stress balls were given out during finals week

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Pioneer High School
“It’s Time to Talk (About Mental Health)”

Engaged fellow students during lunch periods in December to increase awareness about P2P and mental health issues amongst students
Set up and hosted wellness booths and activities during finals week in January, including meditation, yoga, healthy snacks, mindfulness skills, tea and hot chocolate
Collaborated with feeder school, Tappan Middle, to help younger students in their first P2P campaign and provide positive role models
Presented in classrooms on mental health and illness to destigmatize these issues and promote conversation amongst peers
Distributed neon-colored wristwatches to students, as a reminder that “It’s time to talk about mental health.”

Pontiac High School

First year implementing Peer to Peer program
Tabled at multicultural fair on May 11th to get word out about their group
Provided classroom presentations on mental health and had a youth advocate from Easter Seals share their story living with a mental illness
Created a bulletin board in the counseling suite for the P2P program. The bulletin board had each of the P2P Member’s faces and mental health facts
Placed posters around the school created by past participating schools to spread mental health awareness

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Saline & Saline Alternative High School
“Not all Wounds are Visible ”

Created mental health awareness spot for their school’s Hornet Time TV show
Covered school in posters with positive mental health messaging, including unique high-visibility location like food service windows in the school cafeteria
Designed and distributed wristbands with slogan “Not all Wounds are Visible,” followed by the National Suicide Prevention Hotline phone number, “1-800-273-TALK”
Ordered fortune cookies with mental health facts, tips, and messages inside. Handed out to fellow students.

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Skyline High School
“Breathe In, Breathe Out”

Focused their campaign on mindfulness as a coping strategy to build on other initiatives happening at the school
All Skytime classrooms received a mindfulness lesson
A complementary student group collaborated with Eastern Michigan University Educational Theater to facilitate a performance on substance use in health classes
School created a “safe space” room where anxious students can take a break and practice mindfulness and other strategies
Designed and displayed posters throughout the school demonstrating box breathing technique
Handed out pencils with their slogan, “Breathe In, Breathe Out” during exams to approximately 1,500 students

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Washtenaw International High School
“Working Together to End the Stigma” “Mental Health is just as important as Physical Health”
“Not All Illnesses Are Visible”

First year implementing Peer to Peer program
Alongside Washtenaw International Middle Academy (located in the same building), P2P Members created five different versions of poster and printed out ten of each version. Posters were located on doors of main entryways, in the hallway, in the bathrooms, and above drinking fountains. Each poster had a QR code that linked to a form where students can report mental health concerns. The form was accessible to counselors and they would check it during school hours. A pop-up appeared after the form was completed with emergency numbers such as the suicide lifeline and the psychiatric emergency room number.
In March, they screened “Angst” for students and parents. A panel followed the documentary that had representatives from the school as well as mental health professionals in the community.
From March to April, P2P Members presented mental health information in classrooms.
During the P/SAT, P2P Members made stress relief snack bags for students. Each bag had the P2P logo on it and one of the slogans they came up with.

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Ypsilanti Community High School
“You’re not the only soldier on the field!” #GrizzliesGotYou

Created three sets of posters that were placed throughout the school. One poster focused on healthy coping skills, another encouraged students to start the conversation about mental health, and the last poster emphasized why we need to talk about depression
In April, P2P Members had a table during lunch 1-2 days per week and shared information on resources, coping skill, and mental health facts. They encouraged students to talk to them during lunch by providing a gift card raffle. When students came to the table and engaged with P2P Members, they would be entered into the raffle. Winners of the raffle were announced at the end of every week.
 

This year marked P2P’s first time in middle schools, partnering with nine Washtenaw County middle schools to address the need for early mental health education, identification, and help-seeking. Twelve high schools participated in P2P during this academic year as well.

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These school teams of approximately 5-20 students each were selected by their teachers and counselors to attend a mental health educational conference on November 13th, 2017. The students participated in educational presentations to improve their knowledge of depression, anxiety, and self-esteem’s impact on one’s mental health. Presentations were led by clinicians as well as a high school and college student presenter sharing their personal experiences with mental health issues. Also included was information on practical strategies for planning an effective awareness campaign, and time to brainstorm ideas for their campaign with their group.

Following the opening conference, and with assistance from Faculty Mentors at each school, each team submitted a plan for their Peer-to-Peer project in December 2017, and then began implementing their campaigns January – May, 2018. Below are summaries of each school’s activities.

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Clague Middle School
 “Help helps, you are not alone!”

Provided 15-minute classroom presentations on mental health to every advisory class in the school
Hung 20 posters around the school that explained what to do if you had depression and emphasized that depression and anxiety are real health conditions
Passed out 500 pencils with their slogan and 500 pencils that said “Clague P2P Depression Awareness”
 

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Forsythe Middle School

“Reach Out, You’re Not Alone”

Created mental health awareness posters which they displayed throughout the school
Shared information about depression, anxiety, and resource through daily announcements
Created an awareness video, which was shown to the whole school and modeled student help-seeking and resource utilization to encourage reaching out to a friend, and reaching out for help yourself if you’re struggling
lincoln

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Lincoln Middle School
“Lincoln Strong”

Presented to their peers a skit on depression, suicidality, with clinician and P2P Mentor, Jay Holden (above, far right)
Displayed a variety of posters around school, including “What Causes Depression?,” “Depression in the LGBTQ Community,” and “Healthy Coping Skills”
Ordered and distributed 800 “Lincoln Strong” wristbands to classmates, as a sign of solidarity and suicide awareness. The other text said “P2P”
Wore their P2P T-shirts to school every Thursday, as student ambassadors to the Peer-to-Peer Depression Awareness Program

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Mill Creek Middle School
“Get Help! There Is Hope”

Created interactive classroom presentations to discuss signs and symptoms of Depression, Anxiety, and other mental illnesses
Handed out 600 P2P bookmarks with signs and symptoms of depression, how to help a friend, and mental health resources listed. Wore their P2P T-shirts to school every Thursday, as student ambassadors to the Peer-to-Peer Depression Awareness Program
Created keychains with their motto: ‘Get Help! There is Hope’ to pass out to students and staff
Selected impactful, educational mental health posters to hang in high-visibility areas in school, such as “Depression is Not a Weakness,” and “How to Help a Friend”

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Scarlett Middle School
“Breathe, You Got This”

Each CCA classroom received a mental health lesson
Students facilitated a mental health awareness week during midterms with a different activity/message each day, which included positive messaging and coping skills
Monday: Positive messaging on mirrors in bathrooms
Tuesday: Created a display encouraging students to contribute “I am” statements to self-reflect on positive aspects of themselves
Wednesday: Daily News announcements with facts about depression, anxiety, and available resources
Thursday: Demonstrated box breathing technique in classrooms and provided coloring sheets and colored pencils to teachers to include in a “calming kit” as a stress reliever
Friday: Passed out wristbands with their slogan ““Breathe, You Got This”
Collaborated with the high school to host a mental health awareness assembly at Scarlett where they had a student share a story of struggle and help-seeking and provided information on resources
slauson

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Slauson Middle School
“Make a Confession to Beat Depression”

Passed out bookmarks with relevant mental health resources and information
Used stress balls and wristbands with their slogan, “Make a confession to beat Depression!” as a way to reduced stigma and promote help-seeking at Slauson
Presented to peer health classes about signs and symptoms of Depression and Anxiety
Posted mental health resources around the school

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Tappan Middle School
“Sometimes It’s More Than Just a Bad Day”

Passed out 800 buttons with their slogan, “Sometimes it’s more than just a bad day,” and “P2P”
Used mental health-related bookmarks, wristbands, and business cards, to increase awareness of resources and encourage help-seeking
Sampled student body opinions on Depression, Anxiety, seeking treatment, stigma, and many other variables, both pre- and post-campaign

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Washtenaw International Middle Academy
“Trust to Discuss”  “Don’t Tell Someone”

Partnered with Washtenaw International High School to create a building-wide mental health awareness campaign
Hung 50 posters throughout the middle and high school with the following messages:
“Don’t Tell Someone”
“Trust to Discuss”
“Working Together to End the Stigma”
“Mental Health is just as important as Physical Health”
“Not All Illnesses are Visible”
Presented to all middle school students via classroom presentations on what P2P does, some basic mental health facts, and they also shared resources to get help if you or someone you know is struggling
Passed out wristbands to middle school students that said “Mental Health; Trust to Discuss”
Heather Dakki, a clinician from the UM Depression Center, did a lunch & learn presentation on anxiety to a group of 30 middle school students

Ypsilanti Community Middle School
“Speak Up When You’re Feeling Down”

Decorated and presented tri-fold poster board with depression facts and specific resources to get help, such as Regional Alliance for Healthy Schools, during lunch time
Passed out wristbands that said “Speak Up When You’re Feeling Down; 734-662-2222” to any student who participated in the pre/post-test or came to the table during lunch

For the 2016-17 Peer-to-Peer Project, eight teams of approximately 5-25 students each from Community, Huron, Lincoln, Milan, Pioneer, Saline, Saline Alternative, and Skyline High Schools were selected by their teachers and counselors to attend an educational conference at the Depression Center on Monday, October 24, 2016. The students participated in educational presentations to improve their knowledge of depressive illnesses, and learn more about the interactions between mental health, stigma, substance abuse, academic stress, and coping skills. Also included was information on specific strategies for supporting peers and practical strategies for planning an effective awareness campaign.

Following the opening conference and with assistance from Faculty Mentors at each school, each team submitted a plan for their Peer-to-Peer project in December 2016, and then began implementing their campaigns in January–May, 2017. Below are summaries of each school’s activities.

Below are summaries of each school’s activities:

“Stigma Hurts. Awareness Helps; You Don’t Have to be Sick to Get Better”
Community High School

March was Depression Awareness Month
Focused campaign on reducing stigma and raising awareness about depression, help-eeking, and self-care
Posters with different mental health messaging posted throughout the school including how to help a friend, mental health treatment, wellness wheel, coping skills, and causes of depression
Forum bulletin messages every Tuesday and Thursday sharing information about mental health disorders and resources
Presented at half-hour forum classes with “Cross the Line” and “Matching Terms” activities and a video titled “Ending the Stigma of Mental Health” from Bring Change 2 Mind
Four lunch time wellness breaks throughout the month featuring yoga, meditation, and a dance party
Handed out pins with their slogans “Stigma Hurts, Awareness Helps” and “You don’t have to be sick to get better”
Messages of Hope Bulletin board (Take a Heart, Leave a Heart) featuring peer educators 
"You Don’t Have to be Sick to Get Better”
Huron High School

March was Depression Awareness Month
Presented in health classes sharing information about causes/symptoms of depression, how to help a friend and raise awareness about school and community resources
Themed fun fact verbal announcements every day from March 6-31st
Mental Health Monday, Talk about it Tuesday, Walk away Wednesday, Thankful Thursday, Feel Good/Free Your Mind Friday
Displayed mental health educational resource posters throughout school created by Applied Psychology classes
Will Heininger presented during a double-assembly event for the whole school, discussing his personal experience with depression
“You’re Worth It”

Lincoln High School

Created video that includes several students and teachers sharing their experience with anxiety and bullying to spread awareness and resources that students can use to access help
Planned to edit and present video to health classes next school year
Created bracelets with slogan “You’re Worth It” to hand out to health classes
“Pain Is Real – So Is Hope!”
Milan High School

Focused campaign on recognizing that treatment is real and effective
Hosted 2 clinical social workers who gave an overview of depression and bipolar disorder and a U-M student speaker who shared her experience with bipolar disorder at a whole school assembly
Created bracelets with the slogan “Pain is Real – So Is Hope!”
Showed “To This Day” video to art classes and had art class students design posters to be displayed throughout school
 "Heal the Wheel"
Pioneer High School

Bulletin board displaying P2P members near main office
P2P Members educated staff on symptoms of mental illness, what to say/not to say
Positive coping around finals and test times – providing hot cocoa and yoga in the cafeteria
Classroom presentations giving an overview of mental health, coping skills, and resources to health classes including meditation and yoga practice
PTSO parent education night with presentation from Ben Biermann on symptoms of mental illness and what to say/not to say
Referral box in counseling center
Stress buster bag in every classroom with colored pencils, coloring pages, stress ball, and list of apps
"It's Okay to Not Be Okay, but It's Not Okay to Stay That Way"
Saline High School & Saline Alternative High School

Display posters throughout the school
Announcements with depression and anxiety statistics
Assembly with clinical social worker giving an overview of mental health and a U-M student-athletes sharing a personal story with PTSD and sexual assault
Stress balls with slogan “It’s okay to not be okay, but it’s not okay to stay that way”
"You Don't Have to be Sick to Get Better"
Skyline High School

P2P Mentors presented mental health lessons during Skytime to 9thand 11th graders, including showing Stacey Ervin’s Athletes Connected video
Created 2 mental health awareness posters focused on recognizing the signs and symptoms of depression and anxiety and placed them on bathroom mirrors and in stalls
Participated in “Next Step” program featuring conversations with Ann Arbor area athletes and their mental health
Created an online advice tool where Skyline students can ask for advice confidentially with a small group of students

For the 2015-2016 Peer-to-Peer Project, ten teams of approximately 5-20 students each from Community, Huron, Lincoln, Milan, Pathways to Success, Pioneer, Saline, Saline Alternative, Skyline, and Ypsilanti Community High Schools were selected by their teachers and counselors to attend an educational conference at the Eisenberg Family Depression Center on October 19th, 2015. The students participated in educational presentations to improve their knowledge of depressive illnesses, and learn more about the interactions between mental health, stigma, substance use, academic stress, and coping skills. Also included was information on specific strategies for supporting peers and practical strategies for planning an effective awareness campaign.

Following the opening conference and with assistance from faculty mentors at each school, each team submitted a plan for their Peer-to-Peer project in early December 2015, and then began implementing their campaigns in January–May 2016.

Below are summaries of each school’s activities.

 
"Stigma Hurts, Awareness Helps"
Community High School

March was Depression Awareness Month
Focused their campaign on depression and co-occurring disorders
Invited guest speakers who shared their personal experiences with depression, anxiety, and OCD with all students via interactive discussions
Bulletin board display with photos of P2P team members
Colorful posters with helpful mental health messages posted around the school
Handed out pens and stickers with their slogan, Stigma Hurts, Awareness Helps
Shared information about mental health disorders and resources via forum bulletins and on social media
 

"No One Should be Left in the Dark"
Huron High School

Participated in the community Out of the Darkness Walk to raise awareness about suicide during the fall
Organized a Depression Awareness Week
Created a video news segment about depression which was played during 3rd hour announcements at the beginning of the week
Verbal announcements each day of the week which included messages aimed at increasing awareness, decreasing stigma, and increasing knowledge of depression facts and resources
P2P team members presented in math and health classes to share information about causes/symptoms of depression, how to help a friend, and raise awareness about school and community resources
Handed out 1,500 cell phone screen cleaners with the P2P logo and helpline phone number
Posted mental health messages and video on the Huron High School Counseling Facebook and Twitter pages
Gave handouts with school and community resources to every student in the school
Psychology classes created posters which raised awareness about depression and were placed throughout the school
 
"When it's More than Just a Bad Day"
Lincoln High School

Created posters with their slogan, When it’s More than Just a Bad Day, and information about the school-based health center which were placed throughout the school
Created posters with their slogan, When it’s More than Just a Bad Day, and information about the school-based health center which were placed throughout the school
Will Heininger presented during a large school assembly, discussing his personal experience with depression
 
"Know Science, No Stigma"
Milan High School

Focused their campaign on depression and substance abuse and their impact on the brain
Hosted back-to-back panel presentations for the entire student body (Freshmen and Junior/Sophomore and Senior) featuring Dawn Farm residents who spoke about their experiences with co-occurring depression and substance use
Created bracelets with “Know Science, No Stigma” and the Suicide Prevention Lifeline phone number which were distributed during the panel presentations
Art students created numerous posters for display around the building with information on the connection between drugs and depression
Team members participated in SafeTalk, a 3-hour suicide-alertness training
Distributed bookmarks with information on signs/symptoms of depression, how to help a friend, and resources
"No One Should be Left in the Dark"
Pathways to Success

Created a series of posters which were displayed throughout the school with information about depression as a medical illness, quotes, and resources. A new poster in the series was posted each week
Created a short, relatable, flip-a-gram video with facts about depression, quotes, and resources, which played on the screens in the welcome center to be visible by the entire school. Used the song “Flashlight” by Jessie J. to underscore their theme of No One Should be Left in the Dark
Distributed flashlight/compass keychains with their slogan
Hosted the Corner Health Center on two separate occasions for all-school assemblies on depression awareness. During the first assembly, P2P team members and then the Corner Health Theater Troupe performed sketches, followed by a Q & A session. During the follow-up assembly, the Corner Health Center facilitated additional discussions on depression in a workshop format
 

"Depression is Real, Hope is Real; Speak Out, Don’t Grind It Out"
Pioneer High School

P2P team members presented to Pioneer staff and then to several classrooms. Presentations aimed to clearly define depression and anxiety, define the relationship between sleep, substance use, and depression and provide information on available resources.
Distributed removable vinyl stickers, which could be placed on cell phones, during classroom presentations and at lunch
250 stickers had the slogan “P2P, Depression is Real, Hope is Real” and 250 had the slogan “Speak Out, Don’t Grind it Out”
Had a “referral box” where students could fill out a form if they were concerned about a friend, which was checked by the school counselors for follow-up. Received 5-10 referrals/week
Distributed 2,000 bookmarks with information on signs/symptoms of depression, how to help a friend, and school-specific resources (distributed to every student and teacher)
Created a bulletin board with P2P team photos, and posters with information on depression, sleep, and substance use
P2P team members wore shirts twice a month to raise awareness of the group and interest continues to grow. Received 50 applications for the group this past year
Participated in Forsythe Parent night to share information about depression and about P2P with parents of middle school students
 

"Stigma Hurts, Awareness Helps"
Saline High School

Presentation to all juniors featuring a speaker who discussed her personal and family experiences with depression and eating disorders
Will Heininger presented to all senior students, facilitating a discussion about his experience with depression in college
Distributed 450 bracelets with the slogan, Stigma Hurts, Awareness Helps
Created an awareness video, in collaboration with the video production class, which was played for all students during announcements and during lunchtime
Distributed 1,900 bookmarks with information on signs/symptoms of depression, how to help a friend, and resources via 1st hour teachers
Displayed posters throughout the school with messages about depression as a medical illness, why we should talk about depression, and depression and LGBTQ students
 
"Stigma Hurts, Awareness Helps"
Saline Alternative High School

Worked with Saline Alternative High School to create their campaign
Hosted two all-school presentations featuring speakers who shared their personal experiences with depression and eating disorders
Distributed bracelets with the slogan, Stigma Hurts, Awareness Helps
Distributed bookmarks with information on signs/symptoms of depression, how to help a friend, and resources
Displayed posters throughout the school with messages about depression as a medical illness, why we should talk about depression, and depression and LGBTQ students
 
"It’s Ok to Not be Ok - Reach Out!”"
Skyline High School

Handed out 800 bracelets with the slogan, It’s Ok to Not be Ok- Reach Out!
Shared information about depression and available resources during lunchtime
Distributed magnets with the slogan Depression, A Fight No One Can Handle Alone
 
"Listen Up, Lighten Up”"
Ypsilanti High School

Distributed 500 bracelets with the slogan, Listen Up, Lighten Up, and the Suicide Prevention Lifeline phone number
Created a bulletin board and posters with information about depression and available resources
Handed out fortune cookies with messages about depression and resources
Will Heininger presented during a large school assembly, discussing his personal experience with depression. Following the presentation, staff at the school reported an increase in the number of students seeking support at their school-based health clinic