Students of the Riverside Interact Club recently participated in the Kognito Friend2Friend training to build mental health awareness and knowledge while also reducing stigma of mental health issues.
Kognito Friend2Friend is an evidence-based game-based simulation for students in grades 9-12 that teaches pupils how to respond when a friend needs support, how to have appropriate conversations about mental health, and the importance of connecting their friend with a trusted adult.
The training was conducted under the supervision of Debbie Gonterman, Interact adviser and school counselor. Students were able to practice responding to a peer within the simulation.
Now that they have completed the training, the club members will help facilitate this training with all high school students who wish to participate.
Once a student has completed the Friend2Friend simulation, Interact Club members and Mrs. Gonterman will lead discussions to address any questions raised by the activity. Students will receive information on local mental health resources available to them.
The Suicide Prevention Coalition of Logan and Champaign Counties received funding from United Way of Logan County to purchase a one-year subscription for Kognito Friend2Friend.
Cecilia Yelton, Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Services Board of Logan and Champaign Counties community and school-based prevention director, and Mrs. Gonterman have worked collaboratively to offer mental health training/prevention programs to Riverside this year using federal grant dollars and United Way of Logan County funding.