Sources of Strength comes to KSD

KELLOGG — “We are sources of strength. Students and adults who spread hope, help and strength as connectors to break the silence. We spread hope by focusing on stories of strength, rather than stories of trauma.”

A new program, Sources of Strength, has been adopted and is being implemented by Kellogg School District.

The nationally recognized organization was initially discovered by Kellogg Middle School (KMS) Counselor Lisa Cheney, who recruited a group of advisers from the teaching staff, including Mimi Klien, Crystal Luna, Scott Albrethsen, Jamie Shorey and Samantha Wight.

“The adult advisers have selected a diverse group of students to start the spread of hope, health and strength,” said Special Education teacher Mimi Klein. “There are 30 students selected from various groups of kids in our school and there is always room for more.”

The student and teacher advisers meet once or twice a month during designated class times to have the students help develop ideas for meeting various specific goals.

“We have goals such as ‘Getting the Word Out,” Klein said. “The students plan how they want to deliver our message via social media, on school campus and to the community.”

Each student has the ability to have their choice of a role, with the opportunity for students to present the mission statement to the school and community.

“There is an opportunity for some students to help integrate it into our classrooms,” Klein said. “Students can be creative with murals, all art, video and photography, social media and web-based creations.”

Klein further explained that suicide rates in teens have dramatically increased over the past few years, with Kellogg and surrounding areas being directly affected.

“This will not only help our students, but help our community be aware of the warning signs and give them the knowledge of what the next steps should be.”

Sources of Strength utilizes a strength-based and upstream approach to mental health, including promoting mental health awareness and preventing adverse outcomes like suicide, bullying and substance misuse.

The program began when founder Mark LoMurray worked in juvenile justice as the head of the Police Youth Bureau in North Dakota. His team was involved in statewide intervention and crisis response with teenagers and their families.

“We can’t do this alone, so we use our sources of strength. Whether it be family support, positive friends, mentors, healthy activities, generosity, spirituality, or physical and mental health,” Klein said.

For more information, visit www.sourcesofstrength.com.

If you or anyone you know is in need, take action. Call or text the Crisis and Suicide Hotline at 988.