Mental Health club aims to open up conversation about a sometimes stigmatized topic

On Monday, November 25, 2024, everyone was excited for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, which began that Wednesday. In the after-school Mental Health Club, six students sat together watching a moving film called “Inside Out.” The film is about Riley, a girl born in Minnesota whose inner world contains five personified versions of her core emotions—happiness, sadness, disgust, fear, and anger—that come to life.

The Mental Health Club meets in English and Special Education teacher Marita Banda’s room, 169, every Monday during the flex block, sometimes extending to after school. “Everyone can join,” said club president Sanaa Johnson. “I want it to be an open space for people to come and talk about mental health.”

Rutiene Varela Vaz is a co-president with Johnson, while Melody Ononibaku and Kyrief Johnson are co-vice presidents. Nada Armoush is the social media manager. Ryann Conyers is the secretary. Other members are “Rose, Cheyenne, Mars, Sara, and Ella,” said Johnson, while English and Special Education teacher Marita Banda is the teacher’s support for the group.

The Mental Health Club started last year in 2023. “Our success is finally starting a club and having our meeting and [having enough people come to the club],” said Johnson. The goal of the Mental Health Club is to have a safe place for everyone to learn more about Mental Health.

One thing they hope to do is keep the group going next year. Johnson said  “Melody and Kyrief are [poised to be] the future leaders” due to how invested they are.  They’d also love to collaborate with the UMass Mental Health Club. 

Banda said she is committed to bringing in community members to visit and discuss mental health. The club members’ goal, however, is “to be there for each other.” 

While the students lead the club, Banda provides a safe space. “I thought it was important for the students to have a place to go. I want to make sure I have time for them and they have a safe place to talk,” she said.

Johnson said mental health can be a taboo topic. “I have seen both of my parents struggle with mental health and they couldn’t get the resources when they needed it,” she said. “They didn’t know who they could talk to, and didn’t want to be judged.”

She also thinks it’s an important issue because “everyone has mental health.”

“We just want to break down the wall [around talking openly about it],” she said. In the club, they discuss teens’ mental health, play games, watch movies, discuss their days at school, and do daily icebreakers. New members are always welcome to join.