With Mental Health Awareness Month in mind, mental health counselors and student Mental Health Ambassadors hosted an interactive fair on Apr. 30. Like the brain stem’s behind-the-scenes work, each station—ranging from wellness booths and calming coloring to educational resources and nutrient-dense snacks—strengthened the core circuitry that keeps individuals grounded amid the static of everyday life. 

“There are a lot of components that make up positive mental health,” said Upper School Mental Health Counselor Renee McEachern. “That’s why it was important to spotlight emotional, cognitive, and social factors during the event—even nutrition plays a huge role,” McEachern said. 

If perceptions of stress gesture toward academic pressure, they’re not misguided: the American Institute of Stress reports that 75% of high school students feel schoolwork-related stress daily. The fair provided students with an opportunity to relieve stress.

“On Apr. 30, I realized it’s okay to take a breather,” Disotaur said. “Getting a lavender-scented bag and feeling its benefits firsthand in a sensorial way, along with those of canine therapy, helped me reset and reminded me what’s truly important,” she said. 

The exhibition didn’t focus solely on scholarly rumination or anxiety—it aimed to reflect a wide spectrum of psychological experiences, connecting them like synapses through engaging yet gripping presentations. In doing so, the event became a living metaphor for the brain’s own architecture: essential, integrative, and quietly life-sustaining. 

“The event was like the brain stem,” freshman Valerio Assunto said. “I’m going to feel truly serene and grounded for quite a while now,” Assunto said. 

Some days, all we need to do is just take a step back and let us take a breath, and take a break. Mental Health Awareness Month reminds us that it’s ok to speak about your issues and ask for help.