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What Does TigerSTRONG Mean?
SECONDARY STUDENTS: TigerSTRONG means unifying as a school community to protect the overall mental health of you and every individual in our schools. Unfortunately there may be times where you feel alone fighting an internal battle that others do not see. You are not alone! Do not attempt to crawl out of the darkness by yourself or rely on simple willpower. Instead, seek out others to help find the strength needed to overcome struggles. Because when it comes down to it, YOU ARE MORE important than you realize!
ELEMENTARY STUDENTS: Being TigerSTRONG means we're a team in our school, caring for each other's feelings. If you ever feel sad or alone with a problem, remember, you're not by yourself! It's okay to ask for help from friends, teachers, counselors, principals or family. Always remember, YOU ARE MORE important than you realize!
How TigerSTRONG - YOU ARE MORE Came To Be:
In case you're not sure what You Are More represents, here is the backstory. Ava watched her sister Isabelle tear both of her ACLs in the last three years that ended two basketball seasons. After watching her go through two surgeries and 18 months of physical therapy, Ava realized that Isabelle was struggling mentally. She started doing random things to try to improve Isabelle’s spirits and let her know that she was more than two devastating setbacks. Isabelle was fortunate enough to have such a caring sister, but that got Ava thinking of other students who might not have someone in their life who understands what they are going through. Ava decided she wanted to do something to bring awareness to students' mental health. On her own, Ava reached out to a sports psychologist at Boise State University to learn what they did to normalize mental health struggles. She then started working with Stehvn Tesar to come up with a concept for a club at Mountain Home High School to bring awareness to students' mental health issues. They ultimately settled on the motto, You Are More. The idea is that students and adults struggle, but ultimately, You Are More than a bad test score, You Are More than social media, You Are More than a bad relationship, You Are More than a bad day, etc. Ava and Stehvn worked to develop a logo and ended up designing shirts and bracelets. Mountain Home High School has a slogan that reads One Town, One Team. Ava's idea is to build off of that and expand the club this school year. Members of the club will serve as mentors to elementary and junior high students, holding various mental health awareness events at the schools for both students and parents, and ultimately, trying to show everyone in our community that YOU ARE MORE!
Today, Isabelle is doing really well and in a good place mentally due to the fact that she reached out to family and friends to talk about her struggles. She is now enrolled in college and studying Kinesiology/Physical Therapy to work with injured athletes.
If you would like to learn more about the You Are More movement or have ideas, please join the You Are More Instagram page at youaremore_mhhs. If you're interested in helping to spread the word, Ava would love for you to take a picture of yourself in front of the mural and post it on the Instagram page along with any positive/inspiring messages you may want to share.
Mountain Home High School's TigerSTRONG Club: Purpose and Expectations:
Purpose: The TigerSTRONG club is dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive school community that prioritizes mental health and wellbeing. Our mantra, "You Are More Important Than You Realize," embodies our commitment to recognizing the value and potential of every individual. We aim to:
- Promote Mental Health Awareness: Raise awareness about mental health issues and work towards destigmatizing them within our school and community.
- Encourage Unity and Support: Create a culture where students and staff unite in supporting each other’s mental health and wellbeing.
- Facilitate Open Conversations: Provide a safe space for open dialogue about mental health, encouraging empathy and understanding.
- Guide Towards Resources: Equip our community with knowledge about mental health resources and how to access them.
Expectations for Members:
As ambassadors of mental health awareness, members of TigerSTRONG are expected to:
- Uphold Empathy and Kindness: Demonstrate empathy, kindness, and inclusivity in all interactions.
- Be Active Listeners: Offer a listening ear and support to peers in need.
- Maintain Confidentiality: Respect the privacy and confidentiality of those who share their experiences.
- Educate and Inform: Be knowledgeable about mental health resources and willing to guide others towards them.
- Foster a Positive Environment: Contribute to a positive and supportive school climate.
- Practice Inclusivity: Ensure everyone feels included and valued, regardless of their mental health status.
- Lead by Example: Model healthy coping strategies and encourage peers to adopt similar practices.
- Respect All Perspectives: Approach all conversations with an open mind and a non-judgmental attitude.
Through these actions, TigerSTRONG members strive to make a lasting, positive impact on the mental health and overall wellbeing of our school community.
"YOU ARE MORE Day"
Occurs every second Wednesday of the month.
The heart of this initiative lies in our TigerSTRONG mantra: "YOU ARE MORE Important Than You Realize." This message underscores the immense value and potential of each individual in our school district. To visibly symbolize our solidarity and dedication to this cause, we encourage all staff and students to wear "YOU ARE MORE" apparel on these designated days.
Why Wear YOU ARE MORE Apparel?
Wearing "YOU ARE MORE" apparel is not just about donning a piece of clothing; it's a powerful statement. It signifies:
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Our collective commitment to fostering a supportive community.
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Raising awareness about the importance of mental health.
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Promoting conversations that destigmatize mental health challenges.
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A pledge of solidarity with those who might be facing mental health struggles.
Expectations for Wearing YOU ARE MORE Apparel:
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Be a Role Model: Embody empathy, kindness, and inclusivity in your daily interactions.
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Active Listening: Offer a compassionate ear to those who might need support.
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Respect Privacy: Honor the confidentiality of those who confide in you.
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Guide to Resources: Be ready to share information about available mental health resources.
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Promote Positivity: Create a supportive and positive environment wherever possible.
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Inclusivity: Ensure that everyone feels included, respected, and valued.
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Lead by Example: Show healthy ways of managing stress and encourage others to do the same.
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Avoid Judgment: Maintain an open and non-judgmental mindset.
By participating in "YOU ARE MORE Day," we each take a step towards building a more understanding, empathetic, and supportive community. Let us wear our YAM apparel with pride and responsibility, knowing that together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of our students and staff.
We are excited to see our district unite under this powerful message, and we look forward to witnessing the positive impact it will have on our community. Thank you for your continued support and commitment to the mental wellbeing of our school district.
YOU ARE MORE!
