Mayo High School will celebrate Red Ribbon Week starting this Monday (October 27th-October 31st). This national movement highlights the importance of living a drug-free life and  provides an opportunity for parents, educators, and communities to reinforce the drug-free message throughout the community. Mayo High School’s active participation in Red Ribbon Week reinforces healthy choices and improves everyone’s understanding of the risks associated with drug abuse. 

Ms. Courtney Messmer, the school’s chemical use counselor, believes that “ It’s an exciting way to get information out to the younger generation, so they can make better decisions in the future.” Messmer explained that Mayo High School has been very proactive in discussing mental health issues in the community, but the stigma about mental health and substance use still exists. Messemer said that these two things “play into one another. Typically, people who use substances are more susceptible to mental health disorders; those with preexisting conditions are more susceptible to use it as a coping skill.” During Red Ribbon Week, the school will offer lessons and discussions that address these connections.

Students seeking support or resources have multiple options in the school. Messmer explained, “There is a lot of support at the school. You can contact your school: chemical health counselor, your academic counselor, and teachers. There will be lots of resources that will be available during Red Ribbon Week.” One of the organizations she mentioned was EPIYAC, a youth-led drug prevention group from Olmsted county. Their mission is to collaborate with the community to reduce e-cigarette and drug use among the youth. 

To make Red Ribbon Week engaging, Mayo has organized themed dress-up days to encourage students to participate in supporting the cause. 

Monday: Wear Red to show you are proud to be drug-free.

Tuesday: Crazy sock day “sock it to drugs”

Wednesday: Wear your favorite sports team jersey to “ team up against drugs.”

Thursday: Hawaiian day – dress for the tropics and “Lei off drugs.”

Friday: Dress up for Halloween and “say boo to drugs.”

Messmer encourages students to participate in these themed days as a way to show support for each other. She explained, “Just having positive peer support, whether it be a friend, a teacher, that itself is very helpful.” The more creative you are with these dress-up days, the more fun you have with them and with each other, the more likely that remaining drug-free will spread.

Clearly, Red Ribbon Week at Mayo High School provides students not only with the opportunity to have fun but also to learn valuable lessons about making healthy choices and supporting one another.