It’s easy for a struggling person to become comfortable in their space of sadness and anxiety. It can be difficult to ask for help. Even then, the help isn’t always available for some. 

       A few BHS students have come up with a club that allows peers to gain the help they need in a safe and comfortable environment. “Hand In Hand” is an attempt to prevent students from feeling so alone.

     “This is a team effort,” said Brent Jansen, Hand In Hand advisor, “We’ve reached out to a couple of counselors to help in this process. Overall, this club is to promote self-care and to give the space to just talk because not everyone feels comfortable in reaching out to their counselors.” 

       It started as a civics project for one of the AP US History classes. The assignment was to choose a topic where they saw concern, create a way to advocate for their idea, and build a consensus with overall support. 

      “Our first meeting we will probably start off with introductions and just connecting as a whole,” said junior Lucie Ells, a founder of the club, “But as we move forward we hope people become more comfortable and can feel safe to open up and talk.” 

       Mental illnesses were already prominent prior to COVID-19, but with the isolation, anxiety, and grief that the pandemic caused, it’s been hard for many to come back from. School is an escape for some students who don’t have a great home life, and the disease ripped that way from them in seconds. 

      “Those who didn’t have a support system at home during remote learning fell behind on that education compared to those who did,” said Jansen,, “Which is why it’s been so hard for some to reconnect because they may feel like they won’t be able to catch up.”

       Struggling students can experience dissociation and a sense of carelessness of the world surrounding them. Their problems begin to build up and if they don’t release their stress, it will only progress.

       Abby Dunphy, a founder of the club said “We are not here to judge, we’re here to support others who may be struggling, and do not want them to do it in silence.” 

       School should be a place where students can feel heard and encouraged to keep trying. Their surroundings should be filled with people who want to see them succeed, and prevent those from feeling isolated. 

       “Everyone is welcome into our club. We are just really looking forward to creating new connections and seeing where this goes in the future,” said Ells, who plans to continue the new club in the fall.