Marquette, Mich (WZMQ) – Mental health awareness does not fall short in the UP. The Marquette-Alger Regional Educational Service Agency, or Maresa, is helping support younger generations with a 90-day plan.
“I think a lot of the kids are reaching out now because the pandemic is kind of winding down. But a lot of the comments that the kids said was that they want something to happen without a major traumatic event happening to bring this forward”, said Lisa Taylor, Outpatient Manager with UP Health System.
During the first 90 days, their focus was on gaps in the program, identifying issues that need to be resolved. The Taskforce agenda for the November 8th meeting steered some groups towards supporting social and emotional learning. Other groups are developing a framework of what services are already available and spotting what changes are necessary to shift the stigma of mental health.
A meeting with 70 students at Munising schools continued these progressive conversations. Students have become even more proactive in helping their own classmates, bettering their mental health. Monica Nordeen, Director of Human Resources for Maresa said:
“The students that were there yesterday were from across the UP and they were talking about how they need more mental health they need help navigating where to go when something is going on”.
Representatives from UP Health System, Marquette Area Public Schools, and Great Lakes Recovery were discussing ways to assist those who are facing mental health challenges. “I think being secluded for so long it really brought everything on the forefront so that they were strong enough and encouraged to bring it forward”
With more research being done on mental health, Monica believes the stigma is now shifting and being looked at in a more positive light. Their next progress meeting will be early in the new year. Click here for more information regarding youth mental health.
