Lyndon B. Johnson High School 9th Grade Campus had its first annual “Run with the Pack Health Summit” this week following a visit by acclaimed author and literary advocate John Schu.

The timing of Schu’s visit and the health summit - coinciding with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Awareness Month and National Stress-Free Family Holiday Month in December - was important.

 "I was inspired by John Schu's mental health-focused book, Louder Than Hunger, and the timing of Seasonal Affective Disorder Awareness Month in December. It was essential to not only host his presentation but also to 'marry' it with an immediate connection to local mental health resources that our students might not know are available,” said LBJ 9th Grade Campus Librarian Analine Johnson. “Thanks to a collaboration with our counselors, we successfully launched the first annual Run with the Pack Health Summit."

The following organizations had representatives at the health summit: City of Laredo Public Health, Love & Guidance Counseling Center, PLLC, BCBSTX-UISD Employee Wellness, SCAN YPI (Youth Prevention Initiative) - Futuros Positivos Program Prevention, and Johnson HS 9th Grade Counselors.

Schu visited three campuses over two days - United South HS 9th Grade, United South High School and LBJ High School 9th Grade. His fictionalized book is based on his personal account as a young teenager who deals with mental health issues, including an eating disorder.

The story resonated with many students during the presentations.

“Today was joyous and you could feel the electricity bouncing around inside of the room,” Schu said. “I could literally see hearts opening up ..they were ready to celebrate stories together and to talk about mental health and talk about what it means to have a negative voice inside of your head that tries to take over your life but through help and asking for help, we can muffle those voices.”

After the morning author presentation, students headed to the health summit in another area of the library to ask questions and gather information.

LBJ 9th Grader Aileen Vela was among the group heading to the tables. She said it was important to have counselors on hand for the kids.

“I think it is important that they know about their mental health and what they are going through … It is really stressful to be a teenager right now. It’s hard to balance everything,” Vela said.

Grecia Abrego, prevention specialist for SCAN (Serving Children and Adults in Need), was at one table helping give out information to the students.

“We are giving information on healthy relationships and resources we do have in case you have a mental health breakdown or a mental crisis,” Abrego said. “We do have information like that and we think it’s important for students … simply because they are a little bit shy to reach out to parents, teachers, or friends and it’s good to have someone outside your known realm to talk to and get the treatment you need.”

She added that it’s important “to start normalizing mental health.”

“I think there should be more events like this so kids can get help and they can tell their parents, who can also get help. We cover all ages,” Abrego said.

Counselors also highlighted the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

LBJ 9th Grade English I Lead Teacher Stephanie Vela said the health summit was “a brilliant idea because it gives our kids a chance to see what resources are out there.”

“I love that Ms. Johnson did that, and that they got to meet these (health officials). Even John Schu let the students know that these good people are here to help you,” she added.

Cordy Sarabia, UISD Employee Wellness Coordinator, was also at the event.

“I think it’s great for the LBJ community ... to get the word out, especially right now during the holiday time when some people experience loneliness and some people suffer from seasonal depression so I think it’s really good that Ms. Johnson is presenting this to them, especially at the age they are at - knowing that there is help for them in case they need help,” Sarabia said.

Health officials and students at LBJ 9th Grade Campus at the first annual "Run with the Pack Health Summit." Students had access to materials on mental health and wellbeing following a presentation by acclaimed author John Schu, who wrote a fictionalized account on his own mental health issues.