PITCH Perfect: Youth Project Creates Impact for Mental Wellness
“There is a lack of space and privacy for students to deal with emotions. Students will break down crying throughout the school, often found in stairwells.”
That’s what four students from St. Louis High School shared when they pitched their idea to create a safe, supportive mental health space at United Way’s PITCH-ER THIS! Youth Venture Competition in early 2024. This past spring, that idea became a reality as the final touches were put on the space.
The Pitch & Project
Team St. Louis Rotary Interact was awarded a $4,500 grant from United Way to transform an unused classroom into a calming “Zen Den.” The goal: to give students, especially the at-risk youth in their district, a peaceful space to reset, reflect, or access support during the school day. Their case was compelling. Alongside personal stories, the team cited research such as: “Counseling and health centers in schools can reduce absenteeism by 50%” (Source: youth.gov, “How Mental Health Disorders Affect Youth”)
“Our Zen Den was inspired by the growing need for mental health support in schools. Witnessing students struggle, we aimed to create a space to improve their well-being,” said Elly Starry, a team member. “Receiving funding was thrilling, especially since we were new to this. A major challenge was the location change from the athletic trainer’s office to a larger computer lab, requiring a layout redesign.” But the team persevered, working with their Interact advisor and St. Louis High School teacher, Michaela Godwin, to bring their vision to life.
The formerly unused room now offers a private environment where students can pause and care for their mental health. The space also houses the school counselor’s desk, providing easier access to support. Around the room, are the items the PITCH team carefully researched to include in the space—calm lighting, plants, flexible seating, technology for music, motivating wall art, and fidget toys—all aimed at boosting positivity, calming the nervous system, lowering stress, and improving focus.
“I think it is a great idea for students at any high school, " says Terre Sura, the counselor for St. Louis High School. “Sometimes students just need some time to process and/or relax because of all they are experiencing. The Zen Den has been amazing so far—students come in who ‘just need a few minutes’ of calm, or they may need someone to speak with.”
Why Mental Health Matters
The number of adolescents and young adults experiencing a major depressive episode has nearly doubled over the last decade. At the same time, suicide has risen to the second leading cause of death for adolescents and young adults. (Source: CRC of Michigan, “Youth Mental Health: Schools as a Point of Entry,” 2023) It is more important than ever to build a stronger mental health system that provides the care, support and services needed to help people build better lives.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI):
1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6–17 experience a mental health disorder each year.
119,000 Michiganders age 12–17 have depression.
High school students with depression are more than 2x more likely to drop out than their peers.
57.8% of Michiganders age 12–17 who have depression did not receive any care in the last year.
The Impact
“We are grateful for the United Way PITCH-ER THIS! grant,” said Ben Brock, principal at St. Louis High School. “The Zen Den became a reality at the end of the school year, and we have big plans moving forward to utilize the room to benefit as many students as possible. We are excited to see the benefits of having a place where students can enjoy an environment of calm where they can either reset or continue with their positive outlook on school life. Go Sharks!”
Team member Elly reflected, “This project significantly benefits our peers by providing a relaxing environment for unwinding, counseling, and catching up on missed tests. We learned that aligning everyone with the Zen Den's purpose was initially difficult, as some saw it as just a hangout. However, with guidance, meetings, and staff support, it now serves its intended function. Seeing students use the zen den fills me with pride, knowing it will support their education for years to come and ease the discussion around mental health.”
By partnering with their school, Team St. Louis Rotary Interact built a place for connection and support that will benefit students for years to come. As highlighted in a report by the Citizens Research Council of Michigan, “Schools are uniquely suited to assist youth with mental health concerns. Youth spend a substantial amount of time within school buildings, providing a greater chance for the identification of a mental health concern and referral to treatment.” The Zen Den is a clear example of how student-led action—supported within the school environment—can create meaningful access points for early support, compassion, and improved mental wellbeing.
