Benson Mental Health Support

Every few weeks our BHS Student Support Specialists (counselors, social workers, school psychologists, & therapists) include mental health awareness in this newsletter format.

• BHS archived mental health topics (newsletters) are here.
• Ways to be a trusted and safe adult + resources for youth: Supporting young minds | Mental Health America (mhanational.org)

What a great event! The Students for Mental Health club co-presented an optional Ending the Silence event March 20 - many students and staff attended the first ever Students for Mental Health Assembly with NAMI Multnomah during B Flex the Friday before spring break.

Participants were invited to learn about identifying mental health concerns and supporting those impacted. Club leaders encouraged their peers to join the club (on Thursdays during lunch in room 277), participate in the May 16 NAMI Mental Health Walk, and join them in their pursuit to increase awareness around mental health throughout Benson. Images below are from the event, and they include the AMAZING BATS student club that ran lights, sound, and media.

Students for Mental Health Club - our 3rd year of participation!

Please join us for the NAMIWalks event on May 16. Link to donate to the Benson Team and/or register and join us! Our goal is $250 raised, and we have already raised $100! https://www.namiwalks.org/team/82217

Walk Day Details

Join us on Saturday, May 16th

Location: Peninsula Park, 700 N Rosa Parks Way, Portland OR
Route Length: 1/2 mile loop
Registration & Resource Fair Opens: 11:00 AM
Opening Ceremony: 1:00 PM
Walk Begins: 1:15 PM
Event Ends: 2:00 PM

Ms Arias taking it to the next level! Gracias Ms Arias!!

How is Benson responding? In recognition of Neurodiversity Celebration Week and Autism Acceptance Month, Benson is holding space for conversations in these ways: 2nd period classes have been invited to incorporate the conversation utilizing these short lesson plans paired with additional resources

• Day One - Neurodiversity Explained

• Day Two - Intersectionality - Checklist of Neurotypical Privilege

• Day Three - Gender Identity, Sexuality, and Neurodiversity

• Day Four - Neurodivergent Umbrella

• Day Five - Inclusion and Belonging

Things you’ll see around Benson:

• Neurodiversity displays throughout the school

• Neurodivergent Umbrellas

More information about neurodiversity in our March 16 Mental Health Newsletter here: https://app.smore.com/n/0ywck-benson-mental-health-support

Join us for a night of action, adventure, and legendary experiences! Whether you join us dressed as a fabulous hero or a stunning villain, this Queer Prom will be one for the books. This is your night to be seen and celebrated.

Date: Friday May 15th, 6:00 - 10:00 PM

Location: AVENUE, 631 NE Grand Ave, Portland, OR 97232

What: Dancing • Photo Ops • Chosen Family Vibes

Who Can Attend: This event is for high school students only (grades 9–12).

You must bring your school ID and be ready to show it when you arrive. If you don’t have it, you will NOT be allowed in. This rule is in place to help keep everyone safe.

This event is for Queer, Trans, and Questioning youth. Allies (supportive friends) are welcome too, but only if they’re invited by someone who is Queer, Trans, or Questioning—whether that’s a friend or a date. All relationships are welcome here, even if they look “straight.” Biphobia is not okay and will not be tolerated.

Come as you are, come as someone new — just don’t miss this Marvelous Night!

This is a safe, welcoming space where we celebrate YOU, the Queer and Trans youth of the Portland area. Let’s make it fun, respectful, and full of love for everyone who walks through the door.

Registration: https://form.jotform.com/260746577662166

We are going to begin highlighting glimpses from the Healing Story Alliance in upcoming newsletters. Their work might offer insight for those dealing with the pain and tragedy of turbulent current events in the personal, social, and global realms. Examples:

• Healing Treasures: Stories intended to precipitate conversation, and guide teaching and healing with participants.
• Stories We Live: Personal stories and methods for gathering and applying life experiences as healing references.
• Stories for Children in Crisis: Compiled by Laura Simms, includes stories, articles, and links, drawn from years of research and professional work with children.
• Stories for Peace: storytelling in pursuit of peace and understanding.
• Healing the Earth: featuring stories contributed by storytellers working in environmental settings or on educational projects with an environmental theme.

Please find a story pictured below as an example. Website.

A story from Sudan, retold by Allison Cox.

Beginning...

Long ago, when the world was new, the Creator called all the creatures together and told them, “The earth is filled with wondrous places – go out and find the place that you would call home.”

So all the creatures went out and at first, all the animals decided to live together over in one place over here and all the birds decided to live together in another place over there.

Now – to celebrate their new home, the animals decided to have a party. Word went out that the animals would all gather that evening in a nearby clearing. When Bat heard about the party, he was very excited. He got so busy brushing his fur and shining his wings! And when he finally arrived, Bat fluttered to the branch of a nearby tree and looked down toward the clearing. Ooooh! All the animals were having a good time!

There were all sorts of tasty foods and sweet drinks laid out for everyone. And the animals were making their own music. Some were playing drums and reeds, roaring, barking, bellowing, howling and trumpeting – everyone singing. There were dancing in a line and stamping their feet. The place was hopping! Bat shivered with anticipation and fluttered down to the entrance where Zebra stood guard.

The rest of the Story: https://healingstoryalliance.org/why-bat-hangs-upside-down/

March: Women's History Month, National MS Education and Awareness Month, Intellectual and Developmental Disability Awareness Month, Greek-American Heritage Month, Irish-American Heritage Month, Zero Discrimination Day (MAR 1), Self-Injury Awareness Month; International Women’s Day (MAR 8), International Day to Combat Islamophobia (MAR 15), International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (MAR 21), Neurodiversity Celebration Week (MAR 18-24), World Bipolar Day (MAR 30), International Transgender Day of Visibility (MAR 31)

April: Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Autism Acceptance Month, Marijuana Awareness Month, Project Semicolon, Arab American Heritage Month; Alcohol Awareness Month

Sources, Diversity Resources - PPS Resource on heritage/history months

The vision of World Bipolar Day (WBD) is to bring world awareness to bipolar conditions and to eliminate social stigma. Through international collaboration, the goal of WBD is to bring the world population information about bipolar conditions that will educate and improve sensitivity towards the condition.

WBD is celebrated each year on March 30th, the birthday of Vincent Van Gogh, who was posthumously diagnosed as probably having a bipolar condition. 2025 World Bipolar Day Links

WBD is an initiative of the International Bipolar Foundation (IBPF) in collaboration with the Asian Network of Bipolar Disorder (ANBD) and the International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD).

For those living with bipolar disorder, World Bipolar Day offers an opportunity to connect with others as well as assistance gaining access to valuable resources and relationships that can improve their lives through treatment.

Source: World Bipolar Day (MAR 30)

Each year on March 31, the world observes Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) to raise awareness about transgender people. It is a day to celebrate the lives and contributions of trans people, while also drawing attention to the disproportionate levels of poverty, discrimination, and violence the community faces compared to cisgender (non-transgender) people.

International TDOV was created in 2010 by trans advocate Rachel Crandall. Crandall, the head of Transgender Michigan, created TDOV in response to the overwhelming majority of media stories about transgender people being focused on violence. She hoped to create a day where people could celebrate the lives of transgender people, while simultaneously acknowledging that due to discrimination, not every trans person can or wants to be visible.

That’s why it’s still necessary for trans people to be seen through authentic, diverse, and accurate stories which reflect the actual lived experiences of trans people; both for themselves and for the people who believe they’ve never met a trans person.

Resources:

Read

• TransLash: “30 Lives, 30 Legacies” – a living archive, GLAAD Media Award-nominated ‘zine in comic-style and full color of stories to be seen, celebrated, and remembered.
• Local bookstore reading lists include many angles of transgender people’s experiences, history, and talent

Listen

• “Outlaws with TS Madison” – trans actress, entertainer, and pioneer TS Madison sits down with living legends and rising stars who shed their armor and own their stories
• “Pablo Torre Finds Out” – the Emmy-nominated and GLAAD Media Award nominated podcast episode “What is Riley Gaines hiding” is deeply researched and fact-based reporting on the rise of the swimmer turned activist
  • The episode includes Gaines’ teammates alleging physical and sexual abuse by their college coach that got him banned for life from coaching. Gaines has called the coach “a fantastic friend” and has scarcely mentioned the allegations while carrying out a campaign against transgender people in sports.

Watch

• The 37th annual GLAAD Media Awards are streaming on Hulu and feature performances, creators, and talent from and about transgender people.
• Trans actress Laverne Cox and rising trans pop star Eli are among the stars of the night.
• Outstanding and GLAAD Media Award-nominated and winning media specific to transgender people may be found here.

Source: https://glaad.org/resources-for-reporters-transgender-day-of-visibility/

As is always the case, it is OK to not be OK: here are resources that can help.

• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, 24/7, free and confidential support - call or text

• Local Resources: Multnomah County Crisis Line - 503-988-4888 including mobile outreach (interpretation available; open 24/7); Lines for Life General Line: Call 800-273-8255; Oregon Youth Line: Text Teen to Teen 839863 - Texting trained teen mental health responders

Benson Wellness Resources - Benson Wellness Center with mental health supports, BHS Counseling Center with school counselors (by alphabetical order)

PPS Youth Resources in Trivory; Benson Community Resources

FREE Naloxone for overdose prevention - Opioid Certification | END OVERDOSE

PPS Prevention Strategies; The New Drug Talk Oregon | The New Drug Talk

PPS Healthy Choices Bulletin - curated list of substance use resources and also highlights student and family accessible services and activities.

• April edition, Substance Abuse Prevention Resources; link to archived Healthy Choices Bulletins. Substance Use/Community Resources

Image above HERE

Want to learn more about: Vocational Rehabilitation, Portland Community College, Disability Rights Oregon, Autism Society, Albertina Kerr, PPS Community Transition Program, and so much more!

• Here is a document for all organizations with links - GREAT resource!
• Local organizations: Local Disability Organizations and Resources
• You can also contact our Youth Transition Specialist: Veronica Bastillos, Youth Transition Program (YTP), Transition Specialist - Benson & Meek High School, 971-895-1707; vebustillos@pps.net