May is Mental Health Awareness Month — a time to highlight the importance of mental wellness and support peers. In observance of the month, leaders of the Harvard-Westlake Mental Health Awareness Club (MHAC) spread awareness about the importance of mental well-being and held community activities aimed at fostering connection.
“One fun thing that we hosted for Mental Health Awareness Month was doing chalk art on the stairs of Munger,” said club co-leader Sloan Butler ’28. “Some kids wrote inspiring messages, and some made cute drawings like a ‘hug spot’ or a pair of shoes with the caption ‘step into someone else’s shoes.’”
Students from all grade levels participated in the event, coming together to de-stress during the final quarter of the year.
“It was so fun to see our club members and people who had never been to our club all come together and have fun without any pressures from school,” said Butler.
The club strives to break down the stigma surrounding mental health and encourages students to do their part in creating the most caring environment possible.
“Promoting good mental health on campus is so important for the student body because of how it affects our everyday lives. Mental health is just as important as physical health, though it isn’t always viewed that way by many people,” said co-leader Stella Bae ’28. “Anyone can get involved even if they aren’t part of MHAC. Even just checking in with a friend every so often can make a difference.”
