Students at Sandpoint High School have created a “trusted adult tree” mural — a piece of artwork intended to encourage students to identify trusted adults who they can reach out to in times of need.

The tree, made up of paper “leaves” where students have written the name of a trusted adult, is part of an effort at the high school to promote the “sources of strength” program that takes a proactive approach to mental health and suicide prevention by helping students be connected to support through their friends, family and community.

Those eight sources of strength include physical health, mental health, family support, positive friends, spirituality, generosity, healthy activities and mentors.

Madi Gunter, a junior at SHS, said it helps to be able to talk to someone who understands what she’s going through.

"It's reassuring to have access to someone who has had similar life experiences," she said.

Having someone to talk to is important, several students said in an email statement sent to the Daily Bee.

“[It is important] to have someone there for you in a time of need," said junior Elli Warren.

Having a trusted adult can also help young people find healthier paths, said junior Della Wheatcroft.

“It is important to have healthy influences,” she said, “and know that others have them too."

The display will stay up in the school’s east hallway for the next three weeks, said Erin Roos, the teacher for SHS’s student mentor program.

Students were shown a video during their second period on the importance of having a trusted adult, Roos said, which was created by student leaders at the school.

Every student was given the chance to write the name of their trusted adult on a paper “leaf” for the mural, she said.

“The intention was to have our students identify this important resource and protective factor in their lives,” Roos wrote in an email. “Secondly, if a student could not identify a trusted adult, they could look at the hundreds of trusted adult names on the tree mural for ideas.”