Playing bongo drums, students sit in a circle outside of the gym, clapping along to the beat and reciting positive affirmations. The drums were used to reduce stress and bring students together.

Sitting in the meditation circle, vocal sophomore Gabriela Roache practices relaxation techniques on a yoga mat. “I think maintaining and checking in on your mental health is very important,” Roache said. “If you are doing too much at once and not spending time on yourself, it can be very detrimental to your physical and mental health.”

Handing out a flyer, mental health speaker from the Palm Beach County School District Janele Young provides a student with advice on how to help a friend in need. Students were given many flyers and resources from each table at the expo to educate themselves on the topic of teen mental health.

Visual freshman Madelynn Lutein waves her arms to keep her balance on a balance board. This activity, brought to the mental health expo by the Elevate Movement company, teaches students about the connection between mobility and mental health. “I’ve been in the fitness industry for a long time,” Elevate Movement worker Georgie Boynton said. “This approach to movement is different (than other businesses). It’s more playful. It’s more free and fun.”

Digital media senior Olivia Le explains the dangers of poisoning on behalf of Florida Poison Control to a student. The Poison Control hotline can be called for poison assessment and prevention or to ask questions relating to poison ingestion. “I think learning more about (Florida Poison Control) and their approach to helping public health was very interesting,” Le said. “It allows people to call if they need help, and there are no consequences against you.”

Fist-bumping a student with one hand while holding a singing bowl in the other, a representative of the Soil and Soul nonprofit organization Pablo Del Real introduces them to the organization’s table. Soil and Soul leads an out-of-school mindfulness club for high school students where the organizers teach about peace and wisdom. “I needed that freedom from thoughts and emotions,” Del Real said. “As I learned mindfulness, I realized that it was something I needed at that age and that I could help students develop that skill.”

Students gather around tables in the gym in attendance at the second annual Mental Health Expo. The expo took place Friday, Jan. 24 during an extended lunch period. The purpose was to educate students about the importance of mental health and ways to get help.