South Breeze School Hosts Student-Led Mental Wellbeing Event

Students at South Breeze School organized “Path to Serenity” yesterday, a daylong event dedicated to celebrating mental wellbeing and reducing stigma through creative expression and peer support.

The event, held on October 30, was spearheaded by the school’s Mental Health Club, under the guidance of the organization WISH. WISH has collaborated with South Breeze for the past three years, providing weekly social-emotional learning sessions for students and workshops for parents and teachers. “It’s truly what I call ‘for the students, by the students’,” said Farzana Kashfi, founder of WISH, emphasizing the student ownership of the initiative. The increasing focus on student mental health in schools reflects a growing national awareness of the challenges young people face.

“Path to Serenity” featured a diverse range of activities, including musical performances, stand-up comedy, interactive booths focused on self-expression, a film screening, and a meditation corner. A particularly impactful element was the Open Mic session, where students, teachers, and guests shared personal stories and poems. WISH has also partnered with Moner Bondhu to offer South Breeze students access to discounted one-on-one counseling for those needing additional support. Ashna Chowdhury, WISH co-founder, noted that building trust with students was initially challenging, but consistent communication fostered a safe space for open dialogue. You can learn more about the importance of mental health awareness from the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

School officials stated that the success of “Path to Serenity” will inform future initiatives aimed at fostering a more supportive and emotionally resilient school community.