Students create supportive spaces at Townview

As the school year comes to a close, final exams and AP tests bring a familiar wave of stress.

But for Suhita S., Tessa M. and Lily K., students at the School for the Talented and Gifted at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center, that is why their work matters.

The juniors lead the school’s Mental Health Awareness Club, creating low-pressure, peer-centered spaces where students can relax, reflect, and talk about their feelings.

“We know our school can be stressful,” Suhita said. “This is a space where people can talk about what’s happening and feel like they’re not alone.”

Although only a handful of students attend meetings regularly, the club’s impact has grown through schoolwide events and outreach.

“It’s not about the number of members,” Lily said. “It’s about people understanding the message we’re trying to put across.”

The Mental Health Awareness Club was the brainchild of Kim Smith, a former counselor at Townview TAG. She said it began after students returned to campus following the COVID-19 pandemic as part of a push for social-emotional learning, but quickly evolved into something more.

“I realized we needed to do something different to normalize struggling,” she said. “I thought it was going to be teaching lessons and skills, but the students said they wanted more.”

That shift led to an increased focus on social media outreach, and small gestures around campus, like passing out hot chocolate and creating posters to lift spirits.

“That’s the strength of it. It’s driven by the students and what their needs are,” Smith said. 

As the year wraps up, the club’s message to their fellow students is simple: take breaks, reach out for help, and keep things in perspective.

“Life goes on, and it should go on,” Suhita said. “Your AP test score shouldn’t make or break your life.”