Around
Below left: Valeria D’Virgilio
THE POND
with Nitro O’Shea during World Mental Health Day puppy play. Below right: Students created DIY
BY DEBRA MEYERS
stress balls during Taft's World
For more information, visit www.taftschool.org/news
Mental Health Day activities.
Every Mind Matters DURING HER MID YEAR, Valeria D’Virgilio ’22 started the Every Mind Matters club at Taft. “My goal was to give students the time and space to prioritize themselves in the midst of a loaded schedule,” says Valeria. “I wanted to create a safe space to share our burdens. I want to share the message that no one should feel alone in this community.” The club meets every other week, primarily for discussions covering a range of issues. In the fall, the group planned 26
Taft Bulletin / WINTER 2022
a community-wide event to coordinate with World Mental Health Day. Sponsored by the World Health Organization, World Mental Health Day is designed to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world while mobilizing efforts in support of mental health. “I wanted to set up an event that was easy, fun, and that would reach as many students as possible,” says Valeria. Students were invited to create DIY stress balls, paint Rhino figurines, enjoy
snacks, and engage in “puppy play” with faculty dogs. Fostering community and building connections were the threads weaving all of the activities together. In addition to ongoing issued-driven discussions, Every Mind Matters will continue to sponsor activities that can bring members of the Taft community together, including movie nights and group meditation sessions. “The most important thing,” Valeria says, “is that everyone will always be welcome.” j
