Ocean City High School's Mental Health Club Awarded New Funds

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Ocean City High School’s student-led mental health club received a second grant from AtlantiCare to support its activities and resources next year.

Ocean City High School introduced a new student club focused on mental health in February with funding from AtlantiCare. The new club was established as part of the student-led Our Minds Matter (OMM) movement, which aims to change school culture around mental health.

The movement is part of a larger Our Minds Matter nonprofit working to prevent teen suicide by arming youth with tools to build and maintain healthy minds and bodies.

The pandemic has emphasized the need for a student group focused on promoting mental health as many face fear, anxiety, depression and loneliness as a result of the health crisis, according to Lauren Gunther, director of student services at the Ocean City School District.

Although being part of OMM is free, Ocean City High School seeks grant funding to support club activities and resources, especially at a time when so many students are struggling with mental health and feeling disconnected from their peers as a result of the pandemic.

Ocean City’s peer-led OMM club provides a safe environment for students to openly communicate about mental health-related issues, encourage students to seek help when stress or mental health challenges become overwhelming, offer a system of support and encouragement, and reinforce healthy alternatives to reduce stress and maintain a positive self-image.

The affiliation with Our Minds Matter also provides Ocean City High School students with the nonprofit’s mental health resources and introduces club leaders to a community of other OMM student leaders who continuously share ideas and activities to support mental health. This community currently has shared ideas for remaining connected and supportive throughout COVID-19.

The OCMM (Ocean City Minds Matter) club allows students to gather in-person or virtually, as needed. The club’s student leaders can extend invitations to virtual guest speakers, stress-busting activities and more to the entire Ocean City High School community. This grant will allow for sustained funding of the club.

Keep up to date with what's happening in your community by subscribing to your local Patch newsletter here.