Suburban middle school students create group to help support fellow classmates and their mental health

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — It’s Mental Health Awareness Month and adults hear a lot about stress management. But for younger people, those anxiety producing feelings are often dismissed as “kid stuff.”  It was that sentiment that motivated three Naperville 8th graders to do something about it.

Leya Nair, Naisha Hamirwasia and Nitya Jayasankar attended Scullen Middle School.

“We really noticed that our friends were having a hard time being able to communicate how they are feeling,” Leya said.

“If I had mental health issues or anything going around with mental health, I’m uncool,” Naisha said.

So they started a club called Mission Shanti. Shanti translates to “peace,” something this trio wanted to spread around

“(We want to) Give students a way to learn how to manage their middle school lives, how they can manage their emotions, learn about time management and stress,” Nitya said.

More information at missionshanti.org/blogs/

Every month the club gathers for guest speakers, personality tests, outreach projects and stress management seminars. Their club not only helped their friends at school, but earned them a STEM grant after the girls presented their mission and plans for a teen mental health app.

The trio is already making plans to start  Mission Shanti club as they transition to high school this fall and hope to support even more students going forward.

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