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The Allegheny County Office of Behavioral Health has partnered with the Middle School students for its "Stand Together" initiative. The objective of Stand Together is to decrease negative attitudes and beliefs among adolescents towards peers and adults with mental illness and/or substance use disorders, decrease social distance between adolescents and their peers who have mental illness and/or substance use disorder, and encourage adolescents to make positive change .
Steel Valley Middle School chose to bring Stand Together to its school once again to reduce the negative beliefs and attitudes towards youth who have a mental illness in our communities by promoting a healthy, caring atmosphere within the school. Stigma causes shame and embarrassment for youth and they experience its impact through ostracism, social isolation, depression, suicidal ideation, and self-harm. The Stand Together team wants to support all students and community members and bring students together promoting healthy and happy relationships.
On October 4, 25 Middle School students were trained by Ms. Danyelle and Ms. Montaja from the Allegheny County of Behavioral Health offices on Stand Together and its ideation. Students were very receptive to the idea and eager to help build a sense of community within their school. These concepts are founded on the principles of bringing everyone together and being a good person. Steel Valley students are also trying to ignite a change within our community and what better way to do so than to join forces.
The next step is for Steel Valley students in the Stand Together club to discuss and plan projects to create the change they wish to see within our building. Steel Valley Middle School received $1,000 to use to help build community. Students are responsible for planning, budgeting and carrying out the projects out throughout the year.
