History of In Touch: 

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When I first started In Touch, I expected it to be a small project with my close friends; however, the reception towards its first announcement on my Instagram page was unexpectedly wide-reaching and positive. Among the influx of praise, a few comments that resonated with me: 

 

“#JoinInTouch.”

 

“I wish this was around when I was at Miami High!”

 

“In Touch is what I needed in middle school.”

 

“This is what every student needs.”

 

Seeing the support the social media announcement received, I envisioned the potential of this project and felt reassured that my efforts were worth pursuing. We launched In Touch at school with a “Leave It on a Sticky Note” activity, in which students wrote inspirational quotes on paper hearts and then glued them to a large heart painted on banner paper. This project sought to showcase a sense of unity and support among students who share similar struggles. Most importantly, the willingness from students to participate revealed the potential healing elements of these simple but empowering activities.

 

Our biweekly meetings have made a huge impact on students’ understanding of mental health issues as well. I was astonished to see how many people attended our first meeting, despite it being a completely new and different club. Our meetings were first led by me alongside our advisor. However, I noticed that participating members were commonly inquiring about leading our upcoming meetings, which spurred me to give more space for students to share their insights and experiences with mental health. Seeing how members asked to lead meetings in such an intimate space proved to me that mental health awareness has a positive impact on teenagers. Students I had never spoken to were courageous to lead discussions on topics they may otherwise never speak to anyone about. Discussing topics like healthy relationships, sexuality, mental illness such as anxiety and depression, beauty standards in the media, body satisfaction and body image, suicide awareness, identity crises, and more, empowered me to continue fighting the stigma surrounding mental health. The club meetings and activities illustrated the potential of normalizing mental health discussions, of helping students feel understood, supported, and self-aware.

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Another way we emphasize mental health awareness is by collaborating with other school clubs. By having a variety of clubs welcome mental health advocacy into their space, In Touch further prioritized the accessibility of mental health resources while also reminding students that its importance exists everywhere. The collaborative activities are unique, using various methods of tackling mental health (e.g., group discussions, problem-solving, brainstorming, therapeutic activities, and meeting new people). A notable activity that uses group discussion is the club’s “Student-Led Ted Talks,”having a student, member, or club officer lead discussions about mental health topics or experiences in a Ted Talk format. These presentations are hosted in the auditorium of our school, since we sometimes do not have sufficient space for audiences in our usual meeting space. This activity has had a significant impact on our students as adolescents can share their stories with strangers in a welcoming setting without the fear of being judged. 

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Essentially, In Touch holds that high school students are the future leaders of this nation and that their mental health concerns are important issues to address. The start of simply advocating more for the emotional wellbeing of students is already a huge step taken. 

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I hope you continue my legacy, 

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Jose Caballero