Sun Devils train local high schoolers in social and emotional wellbeing

High school students from Tempe, Phoenix and Scottsdale school districts participated in ASU’s first ever High School Peer-to Peer Impact Symposium on July 23. The summer event was hosted on ASU’s Tempe campus by Devils 4 Devils, a student-led effort focused on improving the social and emotional wellbeing of college and high school students. 

Devils 4 Devils students designed the event to be a dynamic experience for the high school students through interactive activities consisting of trivia, role playing, storytelling and creating an awareness campaign. The participating 9–12th grade students learned why social emotional wellbeing is important, how to recognize when someone needs help, practiced helpful listening and response strategies, received inspiration and hope from a panel of college and high school students, and completed the day of learning by designing a roadmap and campaign of how they plan to improve social and emotional wellbeing at their schools.

ASU students who are involved in Devils 4 Devils serve as mentors to student-led high school clubs. Mentorship involves participation in monthly club meetings, helping to create activities and events for their club campaign, and acting as a direct connection to ASU’s social emotional wellbeing efforts and initiatives.

Programs like the symposium are working to create a safe and caring community by raising awareness, reducing stigma and promoting help seeking behavior among high school students.

The statistics around youth mental health are part of what inspired ASU student Paige Cornell to join Devils 4 Devils. She got involved through Carrie Monica, assistant director of ASU Counseling Services. 

When Cornell found out there was a student organization that speaks to high school students about mental health, she knew she wanted to be part of the group. Between her own close experiences with mental health and always being the friend people confided in, Cornell has chosen to pursue a career as a therapist. While she is earning her undergraduate degree in psychology, joining Devils 4 Devils was a logical and exciting step in the right direction. 

Through personal research Cornell discovered that suicide is a leading cause of death in kids under 18. Given this, she wants to be a part of the ripple of effect that changes those statistics. 

It’s not enough to be informed, Cornell said. She asks herself, “What are you going to do about it?”

Cornell led a panel at the symposium of two girls and two boys who talked about their personal experiences with mental health. Recognizing the importance of telling stories surrounding social and emotional wellbeing, Cornell cultivated questions to ensure an empathetic experience for both the audience and the panelists.

The panel was one of several activities meant to evoke “person-to-person empathy,” but empathy was not the only focus. Resilience, leadership, coping mechanisms and other aspects of engagement with social and emotional wellbeing were also covered at the event.

One of Cornell’s favorite portions of the symposium was the Active Minds ASU Chapter’s presentation about the VAR (validate, appreciate, refer) method. “[It’s] about how to respond in a situation where maybe a friend or family member or loved one has been going through mental health [issues] or came to them about social or emotional wellbeing,” Cornell said. “You validate what they’ve been feeling, appreciate them for saying that and refer them in an effective and beneficial manner.”

Now Cornell is looking forward to spending her first full year with Devils 4 Devils. Find out how to join Devils 4 Devils, and contact ASU Counseling Services if you need any mental health resources.