This year, Pace Academy has implemented a new Mental Wellness Initiative. A few years ago, our head of school, Mr. Assaf sat down with the counseling department and asked what percentage of students would benefit from better tools to support their mental wellbeing and their answer came immediately – 100%. This conversation inspired upper school counselor, Ms. Millaway to design this initiative. “He sent me to other schools around the country to see what they were doing, and we built an advisory board of professionals in the community to guide us. It’s really grown from there.” said Ms. Millaway
The Mental Wellness Initiative is not just for students in crises. The goal is simple: to give every student the tools they need to thrive and achieve their fullest potential – not just those who are struggling. The program has three main sections which are student-run programs, family involvement, and faculty training. Students participate in activities such as Teen Mental Health First Aid, where they learn how to recognize and respond to signs of someone in distress or struggling with their mental health. The counseling team offers workshops for families to learn tools they can use at home to support their children. Additionally, all teachers and staff at Pace are required to participate in a professional development session to cover topics like suicide prevention and supporting students in times of stress.
One of the most distinctive aspects of this initiative is the new Wellness Council. The Wellness Council is a board of selected students that plan events, develop programs, and discuss how they can improve the Pace experience for their fellow peers. Each section has a different council. In the lower school, fourth and fifth grade students can join the council, while all middle and upper school students can participate in their sections’ councils. Students can also participate in the Student Advisory Board (SAB) which is a club where students promote mental health and do activities to spread positivity around the school. There is also Pace Academy Student Support (PASS) which is peer mentoring where high school students mentor either fifth or eighth graders.
The Mental Wellness Initiative also extends into athletics at Pace Academy. Along with teachers, all coaches and athletic staff receive training focused on recognizing warning signs and supporting athletes off the field. Athletic Director Mr. Wabreck and Volleyball Coach Monroe have worked to expand this effort to ensure that athletic expectations are balanced with the athlete’s emotional wellbeing. Pace has also partnered with Sack the Stigma and Hilinski’s Hope to raise mental health awareness in the sports world. Pace alum Carly Silverstein is now a clinician and therapist for the Kansas City Chiefs. She developed Sack the Stigma to reduce stigma around mental health conversations with athletes.
The Mental Wellness Initiative will continue to grow each year. This year, the counseling department expanded its team so that each grade in the upper school has their own designated counselor. Although the program only officially launched this year, it has already become a huge success and a defining part of the Pace Academy experience.
Photo credits: paceacademy.org