Mars Area High School’s new Mind Matters Club is working to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health by creating a more positive school environment.

“I believe it is very important for students to feel safe and happy while pursuing an education,” says Olivia Miller, senior and club founder, who expressed an interest establishing the club after attending a “Mind Matters” Conference offered by Pine-Richland High School’s Peer2Peer (P2P) Club in March 2025. “Ultimately, I want to raise awareness and allow others to not feel alone.”

“Everyone goes through things and being able to have an outlet for those negative events can help,” says Miller. “With a rise of a mental health crisis, especially among teens, it is more important to have things or activities to help with that.”

Throughout the school year, the Mind Matters Club will offer activities each month, all based on a specific theme — suicide prevention and coping (September), kindness (October), thankfulness and gratitude (November), selflessness and helping the community (December), self-care (January), meaningful relationships (February), fueling the body/mind and nutrition (March), diversity and inclusion (April), and stress management (May).

Planned activities include team building exercises, yoga/meditation, a “Courtyard Carnival,” and a “Color Run” as well as volunteer-based programs, fundraisers and more.

For more information, call (724) 625-1581.