Middle schoolers have a new program they can participate in at Perry Memorial Library – that program kicks off Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 7 and will continue on the first Wednesday of each month through May, said Youth Services Librarian Melody Peters.
The library is teaming up with The Poe Center of Raleigh to provide a “lounge” atmosphere where the youngsters can talk and learn about mental health.
“You need to have a sound mental health just like you need a sound body,” Peters told WIZS’s Scout Hughes on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny!
For too long, she said, people considered mental health separately from overall physical health. But just like the saying, “you are what you eat,” she said, “you are what you think,” too, she said.
The first topic is mindfulness – the idea of being fully “present” in the moment, focusing your thoughts and feelings.
Deep breathing and meditation are just a couple of ways to practice mindfulness, and Peters said learning effective techniques is important when it comes to handling stress and navigating tough times.
“Being able to control that with breath, with simple things that you can learn, will carry you really far in life,” Peters said. “The sooner you learn these skills, the better off you’re going to be.”
Mental Health Lounge for Middle Schoolers – Wednesday, October 7 – 4:30 – 5:30pm
Another fun activity aimed at teens in grades 6-12 happens Monday, Oct. 12 during Teen Time, which runs from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Come out and paint some pumpkins while viewing the film “Twitches.”
Visit www.perrylibrary.org to view a full schedule of programs and events for children of all ages taking place at the library, located at 205 Breckenridge St.
CLICK PLAY!
(The audio and text contained in this post are not medical advice.)
