Mount Vernon STEAM Academy holds the Zenbrary wellness fair

Calming sounds and the soothing smells of aromatherapy emanated from the Mount Vernon STEAM Academy library, as students and staff participated in mental wellness activities. For the culminating activity of Mental Health Awareness Week, the school hosted a wellness fair called the “Zenbrary,” on Friday, May 24, 2024. 

Students chose from a variety of wellness stations and participated in different activities designed to nourish their mental health. Some of these stations included aromatherapy, herbal teas, creating wellness bracelets and therapeutic coloring. 

Dana Manzell, Mercy University HEART (Helping Evidence-Based Advocates with Responsive Training) Grant coordinator, and Erica Morgo, a licensed creative arts therapist, attended the fair and helped students make mindfulness jars. Mercy’s HEART Grant partnership with the District provides training to school counselors.

“Right now, we are making mindfulness jars with the kids,” said Ms. Morgo, who also works at Therapeutic Arts of Rockland. “They are very therapeutic sensory items, very tactile. The benefits are that this is a therapeutic activity. If they are stressed, they can look at the sparkles and play with it. If they are feeling anxious, they can just shake it and focus on the sparkles.”

Mental Health Awareness Week activities have provided students with an outlet to address their mental health during the school day. Many students utilized their free periods or lunches to participate in the activities and learn about mental health strategies that can help them throughout their life. 

“I did the yoga the other day, and I personally really enjoyed because it gave me a little bit of an insight into a new way to relax and get more physical when it comes to mental health,” said Vanessa Taveras Sepulveda, a 12th grade honors student who will be attending the University of Albany. “I think this has been a nice way to introduce different ways to relieve stress, especially for seniors who are going to college and going through the college application process.”

Throughout the day, students visited the library for an opportunity to relax and decompress. Students left feeling calmed and with more knowledge about how to address their mental health.