Tabling in Monadnock and Keene High School

Since the start of the school year, MYC has been tabling at the Monadnock Regional Middle High School and Keene High School during lunches with information related to drugs, alcohol and mental health. Each month, MYC staff bring in giveaways, such as lollipops, stickers, and handouts/flyers with information. In the past two months, MYC has also changed things up a bit to include a spin-the-wheel where the students will have to answer questions to win prizes.

In September, MYC tabled for World Suicide Prevention Day to discuss depression in teens and how those who reported drug and alcohol abuse were more likely to attempt suicide than those who did not. MYC had flyers for the 988 suicide and crisis line, as well as information on local organizations that help with mental health.

MYC tabled for Red Ribbon Week in October. Red Ribbon Week is the largest drug-abuse prevention campaign in the United States. MYC ordered a variety of giveaways, such as bags, water bottles, pop sockets, bubble pop fidget toys and more. MYC partnered with the school counselors at MRMHS to have students sign a pledge to live drug-free and over 100 students signed.

The Great American Smokeout takes place on the third Thursday in November. MYC tabled at both schools that week with resource kits containing items that can help people quit smoking, such as gum, jolly ranchers and a card with information for mylifemyquit.com. MYC youth helped put the resource kits together. This was also the first tabling to include spin-the-wheel to test their knowledge of smoking and what can happen to your body weeks, months and years after quitting.

Just this week, MYC was at both schools again tabling with information on anxiety, depression and how they both relate to vaping. Again, we had students spin-the-wheel, this time to answer questions about the prevalence of anxiety and depression among those who vape nicotine and THC, and the negative effects of both on their bodies. We also included information on how to reduce anxiety and how to ask for help when you’re feeling depressed.

MYC has seen over a hundred students stop by at the tables of both schools. Being able to provide information and get youth involved in tabling and group meetings has been rewarding and will hopefully make an impactful difference on the community. MYC will continue to table for the rest of the school year, starting next month when we will test students’ knowledge of drug and alcohol facts.