By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
The holiday season is notorious for its ability to heighten feelings of depression and loneliness. The Random Acts of Kindness Club spread notes of positivity throughout Great Bend High School the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. The Center for Counseling's #Zero Reasons Why Teen Liaison Holly Bowyer said it's a good reminder of the importance of mental health.
"They were introducing the #Zero Reasons Why campaign, which is student-led," she said. "They are trying to encourage people over the holidays to reach out, let go of the stigma, let go of the silence, and talk to somebody."
Wednesday, Dec. 13 will be a banner day at GBHS. The Center for Counseling is providing a #Zero Reasons Why banner where students can share encouraging words, mental health mantras, or messages of solidarity. The goal is to remind students there are #Zero Reasons Why anyone should feel alone this time of year.
"It really is important," Bowyer said. "It's like a symbol to show they're not alone in what they're going through. More and more students are being encouraged and getting on the bandwagon to talk about their feelings and realizing it's okay to not be okay all the time, and to try to remove the stigma and let people know that mental health is just as important as physical health."
The 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline was introduced in 2022, or anyone needing help can text the Suicide Prevention Text Line at 741741. The Center for Counseling also has services available 24/7 at (620) 792-2544.