Light the way for the people struggling to find the light on their own. Mental health is often overlooked in the lives of teenagers. Throughout the years of high school, mental health can be affected in negative and positive ways. Light The Way is a student council organized event at WHS dedicated to raising awareness and offering support.
Light The Way is a way for students, adults and others to support the 1 in 8 people who experience mental health struggles in school, work and other aspects of their lives. The goal is to sell bags with battery powered candles and bring them to the walk from the upper field, through Charles street, then finish on the lower field on the night of November 21st. You can help support the cause by buying the bags from your peers who are a part of the student council. One bag costs $5, five bags are being sold for $20, 10 for $30 and 20 bags for $45. Buying these bags gives you the opportunity to be a part of the Light The Way event and show your support to the people who are struggling. The bags are customizable, meaning you can cut out a design and then put one of the batteries inside to make it your own. You can also raise awareness to the event by purchasing one of your own and encouraging others to purchase as well. It is a town wide event and is striving for people to come together and Light The Way with their lanterns.
Erin Mullen, one of the two chairs that are running the event, shared the hopes the student council has for this event. She expresses, “Our hope is for people to go and walk through the lanterns at the high school shining a light on everyone supporting and struggling with mental illness. We hope this can be a beacon of hope for people in town but also at the high school where so many are struggling with increased mental illness.” Erin also gives more information, saying, “the actual event will take place on November 21st and you can purchase lanterns from any Stuco member.” Student council members hope that students and residents at Westborough will contribute to the cause.
When the bags are purchased, the profits are given to KyleCares Foundation. KyleCares is a non profit organization primarily centered around the importance of communication about mental health challenges adults and teens experience. Their goal is for schools in New England to have school environments where students and caregivers have the courage to ask for help without doubt or judgement. They hope to connect schools with resources and service providers, facilitating strategies to help address mental health in schools. They also help with funding for schools so they can afford mental-health education.
The student council is excited for this event, and ready to see the faces of Westborough residents supporting those who are affected. You can support just by putting the lantern on your front porch. Light is so important, so help contribute to the light that can help people feel less stuck in the dark.
