SPHS Seniors Strive For Mental Health Awareness, Resources

Severna Park High School (SPHS) seniors Brynne August and Cami Carr, along with a team of five, attended an event aimed at focusing on bettering people’s mental health at the locally owned and operated Yoga Barn. Brynne and Cami planned the fundraising event as part of their senior project for SPHS’ Leadership Institute to raise money for their partner organization, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). The seniors set up a donation link in the yoga studio and were able to raise over $300 in donations, exceeding their goal of $200. In addition to attending the drop-in yoga session, the seniors’ project goals included signing 40 advocacy letters to be sent to government officials, which they have already met. They also plan to attend one more mental health related event as part of their project goals.

Brynne and Cami chose to work with NAMI because they have personally seen the toll that the pressures of society put on students, and this drove them to choose a project focused on fighting for better lives for those struggling with mental illness. After learning that NAMI is the largest national mental health nonprofit organization and works with over 600 local affiliates to better the lives of people all over the nation, the seniors decided to partner with them.

Brynne and Cami credit much of their success to the instruction they’ve received in SPHS’ Leadership Institute, which is a three-year course that teaches individuals the skills they need to be better leaders. During the last year of the course, students participate in a senior fundraising project through which they raise money for the partnered organization of their choice.