Lima, NY—Coinciding with Mental Health Awareness Month, today Lima Christian School is holding its second annual “LCS Strong” Day. Beginning at 4:00 PM this evening, members of the Lima Christian community are gathering on the school’s campus (1574 Rochester St., Lima, NY 14485) to hear from speakers emphasizing mental health awareness. Additionally, there is music, games, a food, and ice cream truck, as well as a bonfire.
Stacy Tripp, Lima Christian’s Guidance Counselor, explained, “Last May, Lima Christian School held its first annual LCS Strong Day to shed light on the important topic of mental health awareness, as well as to foster a stronger sense of community within our walls. We were still in a pandemic, and on the heels of spending a good portion of the year apart, our theme was ‘Better Together.’ This year’s theme is ‘Speak Life!’”
In 1 Thessalonians 5:11, the Bible teaches, “encourage one another and build each other up.” Accordingly, throughout the week of May 23-26, students wrote notes of encouragement to each other. They placed these notes on school lockers, desks, and classroom doors—anywhere students felt led to spread a kind word.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, “a mental illness is a condition that affects a person’s thinking, feeling, behavior, or mood.” Things like depression, anxiety, ADHD, and eating disorders are among the most recognized mental illnesses today.
- 1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year.
- 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14.
Principal Vicky Britton says, “On the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic, like many other schools across the country, we have seen a rise in students struggling with their mental health. Our small-class size and emphasis on the whole person, allows Lima Christian to support our students in a personalized way. This led us to start this now annual tradition.”
“In a dark world, the body of Christ must come together in support of one another, speaking life into each other,” concluded Tripp.
###
Lima Christian School is a private, faith-based, Pre-K through 12th grade day school located where Livingston, Monroe and Ontario Counties meet in Lima, NY. LCS is accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International. It provides academic excellence, a nurturing environment, and strong community to help students discover their God-given talents and prepare them for a life honoring Jesus Christ. LCS is a ministry of Crossroads Church.