Freeport students promote positive mental health with chalk art

FREEPORT, Ill. (WTVO) — Carl Sandburg Middle School transformed into a giant display spreading positivity and self-love on May 15th.

The idea for “Chalk the Walk” was started by students a school prevention specialist said.

“I had a core group of about 20 kids that came up with the idea of doing positive possibilities, and they at first they weren’t sure what that meant,” said Prevention Specialist Renata Hepler. “I said, Well, what do you like to do? And this one guy said, ‘Well, I like to make tacos.’ I said, ‘Then draw me a taco.'”

The art is all a part of initiatives to support young student’s mental and emotional health. Since depression and anxiety rates are rising in children, Hepler said their approach has changed.

“We didn’t spend a ton of time talking about why we don’t do drugs, but we talked more about what are the positive things you can do. And I mean, one of the kids do a thing up here that talked about don’t cut. One of the teachers was upset about it at first,” said Hepler. “I said, ‘No, I said all this and it was illicit. Is it for us to have a conversation with him?’ So I said, ‘So why did you do this?’ And he said, ‘I just have way too many friends that are cutting.'”

“So we ended up having a really good conversation about what you can do and, you know, give them somebody to tell you,” said Hepler. “The thing is, all they need is somebody to talk to a sixth grader just told me all they need is somebody to talk to.”

Prevention Liason Jack Reifsteck said mental health support for kids has come a long way.

“Starting off, when I was young, we didn’t have a whole lot of resources for mental health or domestic or sexual violence. So we’re trying to bridge the gap for that and make it more known for students across the board,” said Reifsteck. “So we come in, we have these groups that we do every month just to talk about things that are relevant to them.”

Hepler said she feels talking is the best prevention method.

“It’s about informing, give them the information so that when it comes up, they can they can talk to us,” said Hepler. “So it’s just tools. It’s all about giving kids tools.”

Reifsteck said their increased support has led to fewer referrals, better attendance and fewer fights.

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