Liberty Boys & Girls Club Students Explore Mental Health Through Global Learning

Students learn social-emotional skills through culture, movement and connection.

[Liberty, NY] Approximately 80 students from the Liberty Elementary Boys & Girls Club recently completed Mental Health Mondays, a 10-session program led by Sullivan 180. The program combined social-emotional learning with virtual travel, movement and cultural exploration.

Using the CATCH (Coordinated Approach to Child Health) social-emotional learning platform, students virtually visited Australia, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, India, Italy, Jordan, Senegal and South Africa. Along the way, they learned about each country's culture before participating in traditional dances such as samba, merengue, Bollywood and tarantella.

During each session, students also explored topics that support positive mental health, including emotions, impulse control, listening skills, stress management, relationship building, growth mindset and respect for differences. Understanding the importance of diversity was a recurring theme throughout the program as students learned new things about their peers and themselves.  Students filled up their paper “passports” with colorful stamps as they traveled each month, dancing and learning together. 

Amanda Langseder, Senior Director of Prevention Programming for Sullivan 180 facilitated the “travel” along with Damola Akinkemi, a professional fitness instructor and motivational speaker.  Akinkemi, who has traveled extensively throughout his career, shared stories of being in places where the customs and traditions were much different than his own and sometimes hard to understand. He said that these experiences opened his eyes and heart in meaningful ways.  He also shared his love of movement through numerous heart-pounding, Zumba-like dances that were fun for kids and adults alike.

In addition, Boys & Girls Club staff members participated in quarterly professional development workshops focused on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), resilience skills, and creating trauma-informed after-school settings.  One staff member shared, “It (the workshops) really opened my eyes to be more aware about my own mental health and the mental health of the important people in my life.”

Funding for this project came through the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (NYSOCFS) Learning and Enrichment After-School Program Supports (LEAPS) grant administered by the Town of Wallkill Boys & Girls Club.