Monthly Projects

For the month of May, Peer Helpers hosted the 3rd annual Mental Health Carnival to promote mental wellness and help students relax, decompress, and have fun during a pretty stressful time that includes AP testing, finals, and end of the year activities. 

For the month of April, Peer Helpers created an anti-vaping video campaign to encourage students to live nicotine, tobacco, and vape free. The video was posted to both the Peer Helpers and RGHS Instagram Accounts.

For the month of March, Peer Helpers promoted healthy relationships and teen dating violence awareness. They created a bulletin board display with information on healthy vs. unhealthy behaviors, as well as resources students can utilize if they are in an unhealthy relationship. Peer Helpers also hosted a table during lunch to pass out informational brochures to students on various relationship topics.

For the month of February, Peer Helpers created a Valentine themed bulletin board display "Kindness from A to Z". The display featured 26 hearts each with a letter and message of kindness. Peer Helpers also hosted a lunch time event during the week of Valentine's where students could sit down and write a "Valentine's Letter to Myself", to promote self-love, self-forgiveness, and self-kindness.

For the month of January, Peer Helpers assisted the RGHS Crossroads Counselor with a Distracted Driving lunchtime event. Peer Helpers helped facilitate four interactive educational stations in which students learned the dangers and effects of druk and drugged driving. 

For the month of December, RGHS Peer Helpers volunteered at Los Padilla's Community Center's Breakfast with Santa event, for the third year! It was a wonderful event during which Peer Helpers were able to engage with the families & youth of future RGHS Ravens!

For the month of November, Peer Helpers created a Self-Care video that was posted to both the Peer Helpers' & the school's social media pages. The video highlighted different things that students can do to help reduce stress & take care of thier mental health. 

For the month of October, Peer Helpers helped facilitate Red Ribbon Week substance prevention activities; including hosting an informational table & games for students to win substance awareness items and helping during a harm reduction assembly.

For the month of September, Peer Helpers hosted a week of lunchtime events in honor of National Suicide Prevention Week. Monday - 988 day (988 stickers & information passed out to all students) Tuesday - Make a card & give it to a friend to let them know you care about them. Thursday - Make a friendship bracelet with an inspirational word & give it to a friend. Friday - Write a message to someone who is struggling or thinking about suicide. 

As part of National Suicide Prevention Week, RGHS students created a video for those who are struggling or thinking about suicide. Click on the video above to see thier Messages of Hope.

For the month of August, Peer Helpers shared tips with students on how to have a successful school year; including tips on mental, emotional and physical self-care and tips on how to be successful academically. 

For the month of May, Peer Helpers put on a Mental Health Carnival in celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month. Peer Helpers hosted six interactive booths and games which all included mental health awareness content and prizes. The carnival was a huge hit with over 200 students and staff participating!

For the month of April, Peer Helpers assisted in a DWI awareness event facilitated by the Crossroads counselor. During the lunchtime event, Peer Helpers hosted a table for students to play informational games for prizes, giving out over 100 prize bags with DWI and driving safety awareness goodies and information. In addition, Peer Helpers also passed out 400 Prom Safety Tips fliers to students throughout the week. 

For the month of March, Peer Helpers focused on Sleep and Mental Health in honor of Daylight Saving Time. Peer Helpers created a bulletin board display with information on how sleep affects mental and physcial health as well as  tips on improving sleep hygiene. In addition, Peer Helpers passed out 150 Sleepy Time tea bags attached to Sleep & Mental Health information cards to students during lunch.

For the month of February, Peer Helpers focused on Self-Love and Positive Affirmations. Peer Helpers wrote over two hundred messages of kindness, compliments, and positive affirmations on stickies notes that were placed on all bathroom mirrors. Students were encouraged to take a message for themselves and also give a message to a friend as a random act of kindness.

Since many start off January by making New Year's Resolutions, the RGHS Peer Helpers wanted to remind students of the importance of small steps and not giving up on goals, while also reminding them to not beat themselves up and to continue trying if there are bumps in the road. These messages were shared with students during school PA announcements. 

The RGHS Peer Helpers enjoyed helping out with the Los Padillas Community Center Breakfast with Santa event so much last year, they wanted to help out again this year! Eleven Peer Helpers volunteered this year and served breakfast to over 500 people in the community! Way to be community leaders Raven Peer Helpers! 

For the month of December, Peer Helpers created & distributed 500 double-sided wallet cards to students during lunch the week before winter break. The cards reminded students that if they struggle with difficult feelings during the holidays, they are not alone & can call 988, Trevor Lifeline, Crisis Helpline, or Transgender Lifeline for help.  In addition, three posts were added to the RGHS Peer Helper Instagram with information on self-care tips for holiday stress and healthy coping skills for dealing with the holiday blues. 

Peer Helpers did a "bonus" project for the month of November in celebration of World Kindness Day, November 13th 2024. Check out the video above to see many of our kind Raven students and staff!

November's project focused on the gratitude. For this month Peer Helpers: 1) Created a bulletin board display including information regarding the mental health and healing benefits of practicing gratitude; ideas for practicing gratitude; and gratitude journaling prompts. 2) Hosted a lunchtime event during which students were invited to write down what they are thankful for on a leaf which was added to a Gratitude Tree. 3) Posted the information & event pictures on the RGHS Instagram page.

For the month of October, each Peer Helper created a "Peer Helper Profile" to introduce themselves to the RGHS community. Each profile contained the  student's picture, name, grade, & pronouns; how the student takes care of their mental health; the student's interests/hobbies; the student's goals; and why the student chose to become a Peer Helper. These profiles were displayed on the Peer Helpers bulletin board in our school's commons area and also posted on our RGHS Peer Helpers Instagram page.

Peer Helpers completed their district required Erika's Lighthouse and Trevor Project trainings during the month of September. Students learned about suicide prevention, self-care, helplines, and more.  Students also practiced listening skills, helping skills, self-care skills, team-work, and more. In addition, students completed CPR Training through Project Heartstart.  

For the month of August, RGHS Peer Helpers welcomed back students with a new bulletin board filled with tips on how to have a successful school year; including tips on mental, emotional and physical self-care and tips on how to be successful academically. 

For the month of May, RGHS Peer Helpers hosted a lunchtime event in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. Peer Helpers handed out Stop the Stigma bubbles attached to cards with deep breathing techniques for stress relief. In addition, the Peer Helper bulletin board for May displays the positive benefits of deep breathing on mental health as well as many different deep breathing techniques in both English and Spanish. 

For the month of April, RGHS Peer Helpers created a bulletin board display with facts on the positive effects of sunlight exposure on mental health, along with tips and ideas of how to get more sunlight exposure (safely). 

For the month of March, the RGHS Peer Helpers hosted a mental health awareness lunchtime event. During the event, Peer Helpers facilitated games and activities with students and staff and handed out prizes and swag related to self care and mental health. During the event, students and staff also signed up to follow the newly created RGHS Peer Helper Instagram page that posts tips on mental wellness. 

For the month of February, and in light of the Valentine's holiday, the RGHS Peer Helpers wanted to remind students of the importance of Self Love. Peer Helpers created a Selfie Wall filled with positive affirmations and mirrors. Peer Helpers challenged students to look into the mirrors and repeat the affirmations to themselves and also post a selfie in front of the wall,  challenging others to do the same. 

For the month of January, the RGHS Peer Helpers created and hung posters to promote the Peer Helper program and spread positive messaging schoolwide. 

For the month of December, the RGHS Peer Helpers created a holiday bulletin board display for staff and students that included information on: how to deal with holiday stress; holiday relaxation and self care tips; dealing with grief during the holidays; how to cope with the holiday blues; and helpline information. 

For the month of November, the RGHS Peer Helpers hosted a lunchtime event to honor Transgender Awareness Week (Nov 13-19). Peer Helpers created an informational bulletin board highlighting influential transgender individuals along with important definitions, statistics, resources and more. This information was also included in a brochure that Peer Helpers passed out to students and staff during the lunchtime event hosted on Tues, Dec 14th. 

The RGHS Peer Helpers officially have their own designated bulletin board! The bulletin board will be used throughout the year to display important information and bring awareness to different issues and topics. For the month of October, the Peer Helpers created a display with information on the RGHS Peer Helper program, including who the Peer Helpers are, what they do, and how students can get in contact with a Peer Helper when needed.

For the month of September, each Peer Helper created a biography to upload to the Who We Are section of the RGHS Peer Helper website. Each biography contains personal information, fun facts, and mental wellness tips, as well a photo so the RGHS community can become familiar with their 23'-24' Peer Helpers. 

August is Peer Helper recruitment month. Returning Peer Helpers hosted a table during lunchtime Club Recruitment Day to bring awareness to the RGHS Peer Helper program and also help recruit interested students.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month! In order to bring awareness to mental health, the Peer Helpers completed two projects for the month of May: 1) Passing out 988 magnets in English and Spanish to all teachers to display in their classrooms, and 2) Challenging all RGHS Staff to participate in Erica's Lighthouse Positivity Pledge.

For the month of April, the RGHS Peer Helpers participated in the 30th Annual South Valley Pride Parade. The Peer Helpers marched in the parade holding 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline posters and positive affirmation posters.  Peer Helpers also gave out candy with 988 stickers and wallets cards to hundreds of parade watchers. 

For the month of March, the RGHS Peer Helpers created posters to hang throughout the school advertising the Peer Helper Program and reminding students that Peer Helpers are available to talk. The posters contain QR codes that students can scan to learn more about the Peer Helper program and who the Peer Helpers are.

For the month of February, the RGHS Peer Helpers partnered with the RGHS Crossroads Counselor to provide information to incoming freshman about the RGHS Crossroads program. Peer Helpers passed out fliers to both parents and students with information on: how to talk to your teen about drugs, refusal skills for teens, drug fact sheets, and much more. Visit the RGHS Crossroads website to learn more about the Crossroads program.

For the month of January, the RGHS Peer Helpers honored APS School Counselors for National School Counselor Week. Peer Helpers created videos and posters thanking APS School Counselors for their hard work and acknowledging the vital role counselors play in helping students with their mental health. 

For the month of December, RGHS Peer Helpers created holiday cards to pass out to every RGHS student. The cards included crisis helpline numbers and encouraged students to reach out for help if they feel sad or lonely during the holidays. Visit the RGHS Peer Helper Resources page for helpline information.

For the month of November, RGHS Peer Helpers honored International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day (11/19/22). Also known as Survivors Day, this annual occasion is an opportunity for suicide loss survivors to gather at events around the world and find comfort through shared experience.  Click here to learn more about the event. 

For the month of October, RGHS Peer Helpers put up Seize the Awkward posters around campus. These posters encourage students to help each other by talking about mental health, even if the conversation might be uncomfortable or feel awkward. To learn more about Seize the Awkward visit seizetheawkward.org.

For the month of September, this lovely website was created! Please visit the Who We Are page, to get to know each of the amazing RGHS Peer Helpers. Say "Hi" when you see them around campus and know that if you ever need someone to talk to or someone to help you find help and resources, the Peer Helpers are here for you!

August is Peer Helper recruitment month. The Peer Helper program is always looking for new members. If you are interested in becoming a Peer Helper or nominating someone you think would be a good Peer Helper, see the Join Us page for more information.