St. Margaret’s Spotlights Mental Health, Well-Being and Drug Prevention During Red Ribbon Week

St. Margaret’s Upper School and Middle School students engaged in a full week of activities centered around mental health, well-being and a drug-free lifestyle as part of Red Ribbon Week.  

Red Ribbon Week is a nationwide initiative to raise awareness about the importance of a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. St. Margaret’s has expanded on the week’s focus in recent years to add a mental health component.

The week culminated with an Upper School Wellness Fair in Pasternack Field House, where a number of booths with a health and wellness component were set up for students to visit. Students could try healthy foods like acai bowls, juice, exotic fruits and tea, and they could also take part in many activities that benefit mental and physical health, such as art therapy, clay, affirmation bracelets, athletic recovery tools like leg compression, and yoga. 

Earlier in the week, the Upper School students heard from guest speaker Rocky Herron on living a drug-free life, and a “Drugs out Cookout” lunch was served. 

The Middle School also had events for Red Ribbon Week. Dr. Bill Beachem, executive director of the Center for Drug-Free Communities, spoke to the division in Hurlbut Theater, and Friday’s community time was designated a “self-care fair” where teachers hosted and facilitated self-care activities such as arts and crafts, meditation and stretching, writing gratitude letters, exercising and more. 

Red Ribbon Week activities were led by the St. Margaret’s Counseling Office, including all-school counselors Janice Avalone, Derek McIntire and Victoria Anaele.