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Spring break – Mental health and belonging resources

Published: March 11, 2023

These final months of the school year are a busy time, filled with performances, competitions, parent-teacher conferences, and more. We hope everyone has opportunities to rest and recharge during spring break (March 13-17).  

One of our district’s four priorities is mental health and belonging. Data show that there is a connection between a student’s mental health and their success in school. Our students have also been unapologetic about asking for what they need: more training in areas like self-regulation, increased knowledge about and access to available resources, more spaces of belonging, and a reduction of the stigma around asking for help. They are advocates for themselves and their classmates. 

As the break gets underway, we are sharing a few things made possible thanks to our strong community partners. This list is not exhaustive or representative of all resources or activities in our community.  

It’s OK to not be OK: If you need to talk to someone over the break, you may consider: 

  • 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 

  • I Matter Colorado 

    • Youth get up to six free virtual counseling sessions (some in-person appointments available too).  

    • Websites: imattercolorado.org/ or yoimportocolorado.org/ (la versión en Español) 

    • From noon-5:30 p.m. March 17 the Old Town Library, 201 Peterson St. in Fort Collins, will have laptops and study rooms available for youth to learn more about the program and sign up for future counseling sessions through the I Matter site. More info and sign up: poudrelibraries.evanced.info/signup/ 

  • Youth Mental Health First Aid   

    • 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. March 15 

    • SummitStone Health Partners’ free one-day course teaches participants the risk factors and warning signs of common mental health challenges among adolescents and young adults. 

    • Research shows that this training enhances behavioral health literacy, reduces stigma, increases knowledge of professional and self-help resources, increases participants' confidence in helping in a crisis, and improves participants' own behavioral health.  

    • More info: https://bit.ly/3Jl4Qon 

Spaces of belonging, opportunities to learn and grow: Our connections to other people, areas of interests, and passions are critical.  

  • Poudre River Library District  

    • There are activities for kids, tweens, teens and adults over the break. Check out the LEGO Build Club, engineer and test your marble-run skills, explore nature with microscopes, spend time with therapy animals and more. More info and sign up: poudrelibraries.evanced.info/signup/ 

  • Fort Collins Museum of Discovery  

    • Special spring break hours: Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. March 13-19, with regular hours resuming March 20  

    • In addition to exploring the museum, there are multiple events, from coloring and button making, to feeding the black-footed ferrets. There is also a youth jam session from 2-5 p.m. March 13 and a free Teen Open Mic Night from 5-7 p.m. 

    • More info: fcmod.org/events/month/  

  • Colorado State University’s Pride Resource Center  

    • Open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. March 13-17  

    • TV, games, crafts, etc. Student interns are ready to engage in conversations around identity, self-regulation skills and more. 

    • Transfort buses are running to and from campus as a means of transportation. More info: www.ridetransfort.com/ 

  • Youth Job Search Bootcamp (Larimer County Economic and Workforce Development)