High school is often a transformative time for students: for their social lives, for their educations, but also for their brains. According to Remedy Psychology, “half of all mental health disorders start before the age of 14 and three-quarters start before the age of 24.” Mental health is on the forefront of many students’ minds, and a few at PMHS saw a need for a place to discuss without fear of judgement.
So they created one.
Love Swayze and Christine Huynh took over the Bring Change to Mind (BC2M) club during the 24-25 school year, but now is their first opportunity to take charge in their mission of spreading awareness regarding mental health. Prior, BC2M was a part of Psychology Club, but now it is flying solo.
BC2M aims to create a safe space for students to talk to a peer without pressure from professionals like therapists, teachers and counselors. This environment is designed to welcome anyone and everyone.
“We are really excited about having Love and Christine […] tak[ing] charge because they have already come up with some fantastic ideas,” said Julie Carey, psychology teacher and sponsor of BC2M.
This newfound independence has paved a way for new ideas.
“For schoolwide events, we have some ideas,” Aeryon Cline, BC2M’s social media manager said. The entire board of BC2M has come together to try and make the club a schoolwide name and recruit new members.
“We’d like to do bingo during lunch,” Cline said. They are also planning a “Beacon of Hope” mural. This project would be for everyone in the school to participate in spreading positive emotions. “People [would] write down their reason, like their ‘why’ [to place on the mural],” Cline said.
But before any of this can happen, they need members.
When asked for anyone wanting to join BC2M, Cline said, “I would definitely say do it, definitely go for it. There’s no pressure to give your 100% all of the time. We just ask that you listen to other people and you create an open and welcoming space for everyone.”
To join BC2M, you can check out their Instagram page, @BC2M.PMHS, and watch for updates regarding call-out meetings or other club specific events.
