Join Our Mailing List!
Latest News:
‘By Order Only’ Halupki (Cabbage Roll) Sale in ... -- "Nativity of the Virgin Mary Orthodox Church in Monongahela, is having a ..." -- 28 February 2024
Flea Market Set in Elizabeth Township for April 20 -- "A Flea Market will be held in Elizabeth Township on Saturday, April 20 from ..." -- 28 February 2024
Whitehall Public Library to Host Family Night and ... -- "The Whitehall Public Library has announced the following events that are open ..." -- 28 February 2024
SOUTH HILLS CHILDREN’S CHOIR ANNOUNCES THE SOLES ... -- "LET YOUR PAVEMENT POUNDING GIVE MORE KIDS A CHANCE TO SING!" -- 28 February 2024
March South Park Women’s Club March Program - A ... -- "Th March meeting of the South Park Women’s Club (SPWC) will take place on ..." -- 28 February 2024
17th ‘EGG EGGSTRAVAGANZA’ Set for March 17 in ... -- "The 17th ‘EGG EGGSTRAVAGANZA’ will be held at the St. John the ..." -- 28 February 2024
Peters Creek Historical Society Welcomes Guest ... -- "Peters Creek Historical Society welcomes Greg McGee, ancient coin dealer and ..." -- 28 February 2024
SAVE THE DATE -- "SAVE THE DATE Galleria Mall Will Once Again Host Spring Art Show  ..." -- 28 February 2024
SAVE THE DATE -- "26th Annual ‘Fleatique on the Mon’ Set for June 1 Applications ..." -- 28 February 2024
Bay Chamber Players Presents ‘Spring is Near’ ... -- "A Musical Tribute to Holocaust Survivor Howard Chandler" -- 28 February 2024

By Lois Thomson

The "STEP UP" in STEP UP Westmoreland is an acronym that stands for "Students, Therapists, Educators, and Parents United in Prevention"; and that couldn't be more appropriate, because all of those groups – and more – are necessary to help in the prevention of mental health problems in young people.

STEP UP Westmoreland, founded three years ago, works in conjunction with Westmoreland County School Districts, and the Westmoreland County Office of Behavioral Health/Developmental Services. Jason Stragand, student services supervisor who joined two years ago, said what the organization learned was that mental health awareness and strategy is a growing need, and also that many different agencies were working on the problem; however, there wasn't a platform that brought everyone together.

In an effort to change that, STEP UP now holds monthly meetings with speakers knowledgeable about the mental health issues that surround kids today, and also speakers from Westmoreland County agencies who discuss the mission and vision of their agencies, and how they can be a resource.
Stragand said STEP UP will re-implement a facet of the program next month that involves three engagement groups: legislative, student, and event. He said the legislative branch tackles some of the larger issues, such as work done for advocating for mental health and mental health awareness. The student engagement group focuses on how to engage kids from each of the school districts in a mental health conversation. The event group hosts two events each year – a fundraising walk in the spring and some type of "stomp out the stigma event" in the fall that involves students.

"Most recently, we have given $500 to any school district interested in obtaining money to either start up or support an already-existing, student-led mental wellness group,” says Stragand. “Eight different school districts participated, and as a result, we have seen an increase in student-led groups inside of school districts, and an increase in engagement and enrollment in the student-led wellness groups."

Stragand admitted it can be difficult to see the impact of STEP UP because the group is not working inside schools every day like teachers or therapists are. However, he had a conversation with a Local Education Authority who said that the $500 STEP UP gave that district "'really breathed some life back into the student group because it was kind of fizzling out.' So that's just one example that was shared with me most recently.

"In a nutshell, STEP UP Westmoreland is a hub bringing people together to talk about and to tackle mental health issues and concerns, and also to stomp out the stigma that's often related to mental illness."

RealEstate270x64

PSC 399430 HRb 

MESSENGERWEBAD

Pizza Station

 

  • Prev
  • Featured Advertisers
Scroll to top