On May 1st, the Proctor Jr/Sr High School Getting to ‘Y’ (GTY) team hosted a Wellness Day to promote awareness of mental, physical, and social health while offering practical ways to navigate personal challenges.

The GTY group began by analyzing data from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), which identified key factors impacting student wellness. The results revealed that students are significantly affected by academic stress, home life pressures, negative self-image, and unhealthy relationships. 

In response, the team designed a Wellness Day to directly address these concerns. The event featured eight engaging workshops focused on mental and physical well-being. Students participated in activities such as yoga, art therapy, meditation, nature walks, and fitness sessions. In addition, resources for prevention and support were made available, giving students a range of tools to help manage life’s challenges. The event was a big hit with students and staff. One advisor called it “The most uplifting event we’ve had.”

Through this initiative, the GTY team aimed to create a supportive and open environment where students could explore healthy coping strategies and prioritize their overall well-being. 

In May, UP for Learning and Proctor facilitated a Data Analysis Retreat together of the recent 2023 YRBS data. The day was filled with encouraging reflections on the Wellness event, plenty of time to laugh and make connections, as well as identify some new strengths and concerns in the numbers. With this information, they intend to start planning around what more they can do for their community in this upcoming school year!