Papillion La Vista Schools in Omaha, Nebraska, has introduced a comprehensive mental health curriculum in its middle schools, aiming to enhance students’ emotional well-being. The program, named Wayfinder, integrates daily lessons into homeroom classes, equipping students with essential skills for self-care and support for their peers.
Wayfinder encompasses a variety of engaging activities, from creative projects like hallway hopscotch to open discussions on complex emotions. Seventh grader Reece Mahan, who attends Liberty Middle School, expressed the program’s impact, stating, “Most of the time, we’re talking about our emotions and how we’ll be better for the day to come.”
The curriculum’s lessons are crafted to be both relatable and practical. Lindsay Wilson, a teacher at Liberty Middle School, highlighted a recent lesson focused on “sparking joy.” She explained, “What are things that bring each of us joy and how they’re different, and then how maybe we can use those things when we’re feeling down or need a pick-me-up or had a hard test.”
In a recent class activity, students created posters to promote positivity and mental health awareness. Mahan shared his contribution, saying, “My poster was about how everyone is enough and how everyone just showing up makes the school better.”
The initiative responds to alarming trends in youth mental health, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic. Stephanie Hoesing, the district’s mental health liaison, noted an increase in mental health issues among young people. “When you look at some of the statistics around mental health since COVID, there has been an increase in depression and anxiety and also an increase in suicide rates amongst ten to fourteen year olds,” Hoesing stated.
After implementing the program for less than a year, Mahan observed a positive shift in student behavior. “If anyone is ever in trouble and they need help, anyone in the school would be able to help them,” he remarked.
The Papillion La Vista School District plans to expand the Wayfinder program to additional schools and grade levels in the near future. For those in need of immediate support, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, providing essential resources for individuals facing mental health challenges.
