Held in the school's community garden quarter, the Baldwin Park High School’s (BPHS) 2024 mental health fair featured over 30 student-run interactive booths, offering insights and resources into various mental health topics, ranging from stress management to pet therapy.
This Braves’ mental health fair, which echoed Mental Health Awareness Month, was a vibrant showcase of student initiative and creativity. Participants from AP Psychology, Applied Psychology, and Sociology classes crafted and planned their own booths with interactive games and activities designed to end the stigma surrounding mental health and raise awareness.
“The enthusiasm and dedication our students have shown in organizing this mental health fair is truly inspiring, and I am so proud of how the program continues to grow,” BPHS Psychology & Sociology Teacher and Mental Health Pathway Coordinator Nicole A. Melamed said.
Popular booths included a yoga station, slime therapy, three Therapy Dog Teams, a self-love and kindness tree, music therapy, and aromatherapy. Notably, this year’s event was supported by the BPHS National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Club and Sociology Club, both of which support and help maintain the community garden. These clubs are an integral part of the student body, striving to provide a positive and inclusive school environment. They also support other key student activities such as important testing periods, rallies, Dia de los Muertos, holiday volunteering, and more. These clubs work hard to provide educational opportunities for students through workshops and partnerships with esteemed organizations such as NAMI San Gabriel Valley Adult Affiliate, Hazel Health, Kaiser Permanente EOP, and UCLA's CALMA Lab. Additional engagement opportunities include Operation Street Kids Mental Health Healing through the Arts, as well as BPHS’ partnership with the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens.
The mental health fair is part of Baldwin Park High School’s broader mental health pathway program, which prepares students for careers in mental health-related fields. This year, nearly 80 students will graduate from the program, double the number from last year.
“Baldwin Park High School students have shown exceptional initiative and compassion, making a significant impact on our Braves’ understanding and support of mental health," Superintendent Dr. Froilan N. Mendoza said.
Baldwin Park Unified School District recognizes the impact that Baldwin Park High students have made on mental health awareness, emphasizing the importance of peer support and education in fostering a supportive school community.
PHOTOS
BPHS_MHF1: Baldwin Park High School students pose for a group picture in the Community Garden space.
BPHS_MHF2: Baldwin Park High student poses for a photo with her aromatherapy booth.
BPHS_MHF3: Baldwin Park High School students enjoy the yoga and movement station.
BPHS_MHF4: Baldwin Park High School students learn more about health, CPR, and anatomy.
BPHS_MHF5: Baldwin Park High School students and staff participate in the self-love and kindness affirmation note tree exercise.