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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