Mental Health Awareness & Support
Mental health matters, and young people can make a big difference in reducing stigma and promoting wellness. This pathway helps you learn about mental health, develop skills to support yourself and others, and get involved in awareness campaigns. Whether it’s peer support, wellness events, or advocacy work, you’ll help create communities where everyone feels supported.
Building your Award:
Find Bronze Award examples to support activity planning
Example SMART Goal: Mental health stigma is real, and I want to help change that. For 13 weeks, I’m volunteering an hour each week with our school’s wellness committee, helping plan events, create resources, and spread awareness about mental health support.
Example Assessor: School counselor, wellness committee advisor, or mental health organization coordinator
Example Log: Helped design posters for Mental Health Week today. We used messaging that focuses on “it’s okay to not be okay” and listed school resources. Learned that sometimes just knowing help exists makes a difference. Planning a wellness fair booth next.
Example SMART Goal: I want to be someone my friends can talk to. For 13 weeks, I’m spending an hour each week learning about peer support – active listening, how to recognize when someone needs help, and when to involve an adult. I’m working toward being trained as a peer supporter.
Example Assessor: School counselor, guidance teacher, or peer support program coordinator
Example Log: Practiced reflective listening today – repeating back what someone says to show you understand. Harder than it sounds! Also learned the difference between supporting someone and trying to “fix” their problems. Role-playing scenarios next week.
Example SMART Goal: Exercise is great for mental health! I’m committing to yoga and mindfulness practice for an hour each week over 13 weeks. I want to build a routine that helps me manage stress and that I can share with others.
Example Assessor: Gym teacher, yoga instructor, or recreation center staff
Example Log: Tried a new guided meditation app after yoga today. The breathing exercises really helped calm my mind before a big test. Held tree pose for a full minute! Learning some techniques I can teach others during wellness week.
(Completed as a team. Participants will work together to plan and complete their journey.)
Example Activity: Wellness Walk & Resource Mapping! Explore your community to find spaces that promote mental wellness – parks, recreation centers, libraries, community centers. Document what each offers and create a wellness resource guide for youth.
Example Team Goal: Our team will visit at least 5 community wellness spaces, interview staff about youth programs, test activities at each location, and create a “Youth Wellness Guide” with free and low-cost mental health resources.
Example Assessor/Supervisor: School counselor, teacher, or Award Leader
