(Chelsea Update would like to thank Bob Milbrodt for the information in this story.)
Last Monday, the Kiwanis Club heard from our Kate Yocum, SRSLY director and Charleye Perry SRSLY creative consultant.
SRSLY partners with local community organizations, clubs, and businesses to advocate for youth mental health and raise awareness about the prevalence of youth substance abuse and the resources that are available. The coalition wants to hear youth-inspired ideas and provide the space for them to be achieved.
Perry is a recent Chelsea High School graduate working with Yocum to inform the youth of the community of SRSLY’s resources. She has seen some youth making fun of SRSLY because when kids are told to do something like “DON’T DO DRUGS,” some of them like to rebel. She noticed that SRSLY’S new attention to mental health has kids taking their message seriously.
Some of the ways SRSLY uses to get their message to everyone:
- A PDF information sheet was created in both parent and peer versions for anyone in the community to learn the signs and symptoms of someone in distress. 1,500 were mailed to homes in the community.
- A short online course QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) is available to anyone in the community to learn how to help someone who may hurt themselves.
- Tee shirts with a positive message were given to students to educate, start a conversation, and give a sense of belonging.
- A survey for kids called, “How to be that adult” will identify qualities that are needed in an adult to be approachable when a kid has an issue.
Upcoming plans include family-based events and another drive-in movie this summer.
SRSLY will continue to work with the school’s mental health coordinator, school counselors, school psychologist, and Chelsea’s first responders.
More avenues of communication to spread their message will be used, e.g. Chelsea Chamber of Commerce website, and Sounds and Sights Festival.
The club’s Gourmet Nut Sale continues. Orders can be placed at www.facebook.com/kiwanisclubofchelsea or with any Kiwanian. See us at Chocolate Extravaganza on Feb. 11, at Chelsea United Methodist Church.
Next week, the club will hear from Jay Zatkovich from the Chelsea High School Robotics.
