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State College Students Create Tranquility Station for Community

STATE COLLEGE — A group of middle school and high school students from State College Area School District saw a need for more outreach and awareness around mental health and decided to act. Through the Jana Marie Foundation’s Reach Program, the students created a Tranquility Station that will be installed in Sidney Friedman Park in State College.

“I think this project is needed, not only to provide the community with access to helpful resources, but to also proved a sense of normalcy to those seeking mental help,” said Emeline Reese, an 11th-grade student in State College. “There’s a huge stigma around mental health, and everyone will at one point in their lives go through difficult situations. With this project we are providing helpful resources and letting people know that what they are feeling is a part of life. The ups and downs of emotions and stress levels can be hard at times, but no one is ever alone throughout their journey.”

The Reach Program has provided local teens with an opportunity to build and strengthen the State College area. Each fall and spring, students come together once a week at the Jana Marie Foundation office to strengthen their relationships with one another, their mental health and the community around them.

Reese and her sister, Lilah, an eighth-grade student in State College, were two of the four students who participated in Reach this year. They had the idea for the Tranquility Station from Little Free Libraries and the Little Red Mailbox they saw during a trip to the Outer Banks.

“The mailbox was filled with journals, and you could write encouraging letters telling your story and advice that helped you process and work through hard times in life,” Emeline said. “We took the idea of the Little Red Mailbox and Little Free Libraries, mixed them together and added resources to mental health helplines, facilities and healthy coping mechanisms.”

Students worked with Doing Good Wood to make a display for the resources. Each student researched and designed a resource card about a topic they were passionate about and thought would benefit the community.

“The students have shown great initiative in knowing and helping build the community and their awareness around mental health and the local resources,” said Joe Johnson, education and outreach specialist for Jana Marie Foundation. “I’m inspired by the continuous care the Reach kids bring each week and their desire to help support the community’s mental health.”

For more information on Reach, Jana Marie Foundation, suicide prevention, mental health and foundation events, visit janamariefoundation.org and follow Jana Maria Foundation on Facebook and Instagram.