Rochester teens lead workshops to teach kids emotional awareness through play

Rochester, N.Y. (WHAM) — Local high school students are working to promote mental health awareness among children in Rochester.

Jonathan Nelson, a 17-year-old senior at Vertus High School, is among the teen mentors leading a hands-on workshop Thursday at Wilson Commencement Park apartments on Joseph Avenue.

Partnering with organization WellVentions, Nelson and his fellow students employ a play-based approach, using puppets and art to deliver messages to kids about how to process their emotions.

Nelson explained the importance of emotional awareness.

“Choosing and breathing and taking a deep breath within helps you really collect the mind.,” he said. “It really helps you regulate that your thoughts create your emotions.”

The children, aged 6 to 12, develop valuable life skills, such as identifying and communicating emotions.

Nelson explained that the goal is early intervention.

“What happens is that they don’t know how to control their emotions,” he said. “They’re upset or they’re angry, and they go out and do something that they regret for the rest of their life.”

Dr. Simone Edwards from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield highlighted the significance of the program, which is supported by a nearly $27,000 contribution from the healthcare provider.

“One of our focus areas at Excellus is mental and behavioral health,” Edwards said. “This program is a wonderful program, because it focuses on that mental health aspect even more so it’s focusing on mental health in youth.”

Terrell Brooks, a youth supervisor at WellVentions, emphasized the long-term benefits of the programming.

“It’s easier to build strong children than it is to repair broken men, men or women,” Brooks said, referencing a quote from Frederick Douglass. “A lot of things start young. You know, it’s about your foundation and how you choose to build things off of that.”

Jill Stolt, CEO and executive director of ProsperRochester, WellVention’s parent organization, said the students are also launching a “Jump in Your Mind,” public service campaign under the same brand as Thursday’s program called “Inner-Space.”

The students will be visiting events around the community throughout the summer to run workshops.

For those in need of immediate help, the National Crisis Hotline is available by calling 988.

More information about WellVentions programming can be found here.

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