Before December break, Milton Youth Advocates For Change (MYAC) hosted Milton High’s first Mental Health Fair. During periods C and D, vendors from local businesses and organizations ran booths in the back of the library. 

Macy Burns, president of MYAC, led the planning of this event. “The goal was to have students be able to talk to vendors who could help them with any issues or questions regarding mental health,” she explained. 

MYAC, which used to be a town program exclusively within the Milton Coalition, became a school club last year. The club has focused on issues ranging from substance abuse to racial microaggressions, although their focus since moving to the school has been on mental health.

Their goal, in the words of Burns, is to “make Milton change for the better” and to help students and teachers “learn to deal with the stigma on mental health.”

The club members scheduled the fair before December break to ensure students had access to the resources needed to navigate the stresses and challenges often associated with the holiday season.

Burns and Samantha Quirion, vice president of the club, agree on the importance of talking about mental health in school. 

“[School] is where most stress comes from,” Quirion said. “Most people try to bottle it up, so it’s important to talk about it before it gets into something too serious or too big.”

Laura Rosenthal, who works in the prevention department at Bay State Community Services, a social services organization in Quincy, helped coordinate the fair and invite the volunteers. She explained that although conversations on mental health can be uncomfortable, “we need to end the stigma.” 

Rosenthal believes it is crucial for students to understand the resources and strategies available when dealing with suicidal thoughts or self-harm.

Each guest at the event shared valuable insights and solutions for improving mental health. From the holistic approaches of an acupuncturist from Blue Willow to the mindfulness techniques introduced by a yoga instructor from Muscle and Flow, students were exposed to a wide range of tools and practices designed to promote well-being.

In addition to the booths, the mental health fair featured a display of mental health-themed artwork created by students. Melanie Chandler-Blood, one of Milton High’s art teachers, encouraged her students to explore mental health topics through creative projects. Open submissions were also welcomed. 

Zakai Perkins, the secretary of MYAC, described art as “a great therapy,” highlighting the role of creativity in fostering emotional well-being.

As Rosenthal said, “Total health includes mental and physical. You cannot have one without the other.” For this reason, members of MYAC, as well as the volunteers present at the event, believe it is important to talk about mental health. 

Burns was “thrilled” with how the fair was going and hopes that MYAC can host a similar fair next year. 

“It’s a lot of fun,” agreed sophomore Nate Gutherie. “There are a lot of things to be learned here.”