Mental Health PSA by Local Teens Drops Today

High school students in the Baystate Springfield Educational Partnership (BSEP) worked with FOCUS Springfield Community Television to script and produce a 2 1/2 minute public service announcement about teen mental health and wellbeing.

The video starts by stating that mental health issues in teens have increased dramatically since the beginning of the pandemic—then encourages teens to seek help and provides wellness and mental health resources for them.

Focus Springfield is broadcasting the release event on cable access TV featuring a presentation by the students about the process, the topic and their message. They will also air the PSA during their regular programming.

Congratulations to the Cast

All the actors are local high school students:

• Raghav Kale
• Alexandra Odulio
• Ciara Johnson Corwin
• Mary Zachara also production assistant
• Aliyah Jean Nash
• Diya Dinesh Patel

Thank You to the Advisors

• Stephen Cary, Executive Director, Focus Springfield
• Josué A Vazquez, Focus Springfield, who directed and edited the video
• Vi Nguyen, PURCH student, Wellbeing Advisor
• Areliz Barbosa, Women's Health Network, Mental Health Advisor

BSEP and Focus Springfield have created PSAs for teens in previous years on distracted driving and Covid-19 vaccines.