As the 2025 school year unfolds, Chelsea High School welcomes a new event for students called Wellness Day. Held on Monday, March 17th, the event focused on helping students find new strategies to cope with their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Despite the day’s intent, students were still initially skeptical about its purpose and value.

“I wasn’t really up for the whole mental health day. I thought it’d be just another boring school thing,” freshman Vivienne Gervais said.

As the day unfolded, students began to recognize the value of the sessions and activities. Many became more engaged than they had expected and walked away with practical strategies for managing stress.

“I wasn’t sure if this would be useful, but I learned some things I can use when I’m stressed. The breathing exercise session helped way more than I expected,” freshman Abby Burke said.  

Seeing students engage and benefit from the sessions was exactly what the organizers of Wellness Day had hoped for. The event’s founders shared their vision for the day and why they believed it was important for Chelsea High School. 

“There are strategies that can help in those stressful moments, and it’s important to normalize these feelings for our students. We also want to bring in community members so they know that support is readily available,” Marie Larson said, one of the event’s founders.

The success of Wellness Day left a lasting impact on both students and staff, sparking conversations about the importance of prioritizing mental well-being. Many students who were initially skeptical left the event with a new perspective and practical tools to manage stress.

“I didn’t think one day could change how I see stress, but it did. I’m leaving with real ways to handle it,” Burke said.