Mental Health Day is a day during Mental Health Month where students are able to relax and enjoy the day without thinking about all of the stressors in their lives.
Many students are under stress, have anxiety and are working through struggling times and this is a time for them to decompress and enjoy themselves.
Students in grades 6 -12 spent the day being instructed in a short yoga session, by a local instructor, Noelle McCarthy, had the opportunity to play gaga ball, spike ball, cornhole, yard jenga, chalk drawings and an obstacle course, in addition to other physical activities outside.
There were multiple food trucks including Elephant Joe's, Cookiedough Bliss, and Northstar Donuts. Students got to spend time with horses, mini horses, cows and llamas.
The community supported these efforts with booths from Schmidt Chiropractic, giving free massages, 2B Continued - Teen Mental Health First Aid, NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), Mental Health MN, Don't Stray (Central's Technovation Team), Zen Garden building by the PEERS (Peers Encouraging Equality & Respect Schoolwide) group, and Laura Sufka, a Child Life Specialist.
Students also had multiple opportunities for bingo, crafts, games, a movie and a quiet place to rest.