Twenty-eight middle school students came together for the Pine Bush Human Rights Academy and explored the Universal Declaration of Human Rights through the lens of mental health, focusing on the unique challenges that middle and high school students face today.

 

The students spent four days learning about human rights, specifically focusing on mental health resources in our school and local community. Several guest speakers from the school district, the Tri-County Prevention Coalition, and the Orange County Human Rights Commission volunteered their time to speak to students. Students also learned practical strategies for supporting their own mental wellness, including yoga and breathing exercises.

 

 

The academy leader was Kathryn Green. Teachers were Amy McDonald and Michael Smith.

 

The students brought their understanding of human rights and mental health to several service projects that will benefit students in the Pine Bush district. They met with middle school principals Lisa Hankinson and Stephen Wilder to discuss mental health support in school buildings and to find out what needs the academy could address. With their insights from these discussions, they created digital mental wellness resources to be shared across the district and assembled resource kits with mental health information for school psychologists and counselors. The academy students also transformed the Circleville Middle School courtyard into a calming space where students can practice mindfulness.

 

 

The academy culminated with a trip to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library and Museum in Hyde Park where students learned about Eleanor Roosevelt’s involvement in the creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

 

 

These thoughtful, motivated students showed that mental health is a human right—and that their voices can lead to meaningful change. We are proud of their commitment to advocacy, service, and wellness in our schools.