20 | DECEMBER 26 • 2019

Jews in the D

continued from page 18

So far this year, Love
observed that students are
working to reveal their vul-
nerabilities as they discuss
academic and social struggles
or feeling stressed or left out.
Most of all, Love said they
are building community and
learning that it is OK to say
when you are not OK to get
the resources and help you
need.
“Students are beginning
to open up and connect and
build a sense of community,
”
Love said. “Just like the dual-
ity themes that we studied
from Parshah Noah, there is
someone in your class who
is just like you, who is going
through the same things you
are. Ultimately, we are building
up to the lesson that if you are
dealing with grief or suicidal
thoughts, you do not have to go
through them alone. There is
always help.
”
Beale, co-author of Prepare U,
was inspired to create Prepare U
after he endured several family
tragedies, including his broth-
er’
s 2009 suicide. In follow-up
studies of participating students
18 months after completing
Prepare U, Beale said that after
consistent participation, 20
percent of the students surveyed
are actively using the tools and
knowledge they’
ve learned.
“The students who retained
the material are reporting a 35
percent decrease in distress-
ing symptoms of anxiety and
depression,
” Beale said. “But
in order to see tangible results
like this, schools (implementing
Prepare U) need to fully com-
mit. The sequence of the lessons
was created in an intentional
arc. Prepare U gives students the
tools they need for themselves
and their peers to cope; we
are giving them tools of social
support that may lead to suicide
prevention.
”

Hillel student Doris Gold,
13, of West Bloomfield said
the course is teaching her the
importance of self-expression.
“I know that is something my
classmates and I have a hard
time with, but journaling is a
great way to open up and get
out our thoughts and emotions,
”
Gold said. “Writing it all down
helps you figure out the good
and the bad things in your life
and can lead you to know where
and how to ask for help.
”
Gabe Cozzette, 14, of
Birmingham, said when it
comes to forming good. healthy
relationships in life, the first
person you should know is
yourself. Keeping a journal is a
great self-discovery tool.
“The classes are a deep dive
in helping me figure out what’
s
going on within myself and to
check in on my mental health,
”
Cozzette said. “If you don’
t
know yourself well first, it’
s hard
to interact with others. You have
to know yourself first before you
can form strong trusting friend-
ships and improve the lives
around you.
”

STACY GITTLEMAN

Gabe Cozzette, 14, of Birmingham reflects
on a lesson on mental health in his
Prepare U journal.

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