COEUR d'ALENE — On pink and peach sticky notes, Lake City High School students answered the question: "Who has positively impacted you?"

Their responses: "My mom." "Mr. Bell." "H.O.P.E. Club Crew."

Many others wrote the names of their friends: "Hans," "Madi," "Piper," "Evan."

"I wrote one of my friends from wrestling," junior Marcus Mares said Thursday. "He always is pushing me."

Freshman Madi Keyes also wrote the names of two friends.

"They're the people in my life that I enjoy," she said. "I spend most of my time with them."

This was one exercise available to students throughout Mental Health Week, which the school annually observes in October, a month dedicated to mental health awareness. At least six tables representing different school clubs and community resources were set up near the cafeteria Monday through Friday, inviting students to engage with their peers through fun activities, grab a snack and learn more about avenues of support and how to access them.

"I think it's really important," Marcus said. "I like how it builds community and it gives people the ability to relate to each other."

Spearheaded by the Lake City Student Council, Mental Health Week is focused on lifting up student peers through activities and messages plastered on the walls of the commons and beyond: "You got this," "You matter," "Mental health matters," "We love you."

"I think it's great," Madi said. "I love my student council, I know most of the people in there. And you know, people need it. People need reminders. I have people who come and need help from me and I love giving that help."

The sticky note activity was organized by students in the H.O.P.E. Club.

"The 'H.O.P.E.' stands for Helping Other People Everywhere," President Sloan Somers said.

She said it's important to care for others in this way because so many people struggle with speaking out for themselves, especially if they are being bullied or facing other challenges.

"We want to help everyone, in the big picture and at Lake City," she said.

Also on hand were students who participate in Youth Alive, a faith-based student-led group that meets once a week. Sophomore Jordynn Walker said the goal of participating in Mental Health Week was to help students who may be feeling lost. She said reading the Bible can help those struggling with their mental health.

"For me personally, God has saved my life several times," she said. "Every time I'm stressed or anxious all I need to do is just pray and ask for His guidance."

Lake City ASB President Tessa Petersen said focusing on mental health matters because so many people dismiss or try to hide when they are going through emotional lows.

“It’s almost socially unacceptable to be sad,” she said. “That’s why we push this so hard, we want kids to know that it is OK to not be OK. That’s a really big one.

"We want to encourage kids to say, ‘You know what, this is what I’m going through. I am just having a bad day. Can we talk about it?'" she continued.

Andy Wisdom, Mental Health Week co-chair and junior class representative, said this week is important to make sure students know it's OK to not be OK, and that they know where to find support and resources when they are in need.

"Honestly, I’ve had struggles in the past," he said. "I lived in a different state when I was having struggles, but counselors at school, friends, all of that was super helpful for helping me personally. I think it's super important to not only have it for myself, but for everybody else to have it as well.”

Tessa said she wants families to know their children are loved.

“We care about our kids, we care about our community," she said. "Especially in our day and time, I feel like we’ve politically struggled, socially struggled, the community has struggled. We are genuinely reaching out to our future generations. We care about your kids. We want to make a difference in our schools and we want to make a difference in our communities."

Dial or text 988 if you or someone you know is struggling with depression or thoughts of suicide. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

    Lake City High School ASB President Tessa Petersen and Junior Class Representative Andy Wisdom proudly wear their Mental Health Week shirts as they stand in front of a "You matter" sign Thursday. "We want to make a difference in our schools and we want to make a difference in our communities," Tessa said.
  

    A question posed during Lake City High School's Mental Health Week: "Who has positively impacted you?"