Mental Health Matters

Jessica Culpepper Advocates for Mental Wellness in Awareness Week Events

Chalk drawing in front of Mrs. Culpepper classroom, reminding the students that they are not alone, at Manteca High School on Thursday Mai, 14th (Jazmine Guzman/The Tower)

By KAYLEIGH ROWE 
The Tower  

 Jessica Culpepper is very passionate about mental health because she understands that teenagers go through rough patches. 

She felt inspired online by seeing TikTok's on mental health awareness month. So, she came up with an idea for her psychology students to help her host a week of fun activities 

During Mental Health Week, she helped bring awareness to mental wellness by encouraging students to participate in activities that promoted positivity, relaxation, and social connection.  

Julissa Paniagua one of Culpepper’s psychology students helped with some of the events,  said “My favorite activity was the chalk activity because even though it was the least tedious, I feel like it was the activity that drew the attention of the students the most,”  said Paniagua  

Paniagua also explained that it “was fun, relaxing, and overall made for a good social activity.” 

Students also shared their opinions on whether Mental Health Week was effective.  

Paniagua believes the events helped students think more seriously about mental health awareness.  

“I think it was effective in a way of pushing the thought of mental health out more for more people to think about,”  

Culpepper added that the more students learn about mental illnesses and mental health awareness, “the more they would understand.” 

According to Culpepper, "one goal of Mental Health Week was to help students better understand mental health struggles and reduce the stigma around them. “ 

Culpepper believes that there is often “a disconnect between the way people view mental health and the actual reality,” which is why events like these are important for students. 

Throughout the week, Culpepper is encouraging them to practice healthy coping skills and self-care habits. recommended things like exercising, listening to music, practicing breathing exercises, and limiting screen time to help reduce stress and improve mental wellness she saw on a website that talks about how it benefits a person to practice these exercises.  

The week ended with a “Sunshine Social,” where students came together to celebrate the success of the events by spending time connecting with each other in a positive environment. 

Mental Health Week helped remind students that mental wellness is important and that having open conversations about mental health can help people feel more supported and understood.  

Which is why Culpepper mentions that you should start making time for yourself and not give yourself unnecessary anxiety.