Page 6 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, March 27, 2020 MHS student’s artwork featured in city’s marketing campaign on teen stress T he Malden Health Department launched a social marketing campaign called “Find Your Calm” aimed at promoting healthy ways to cope with stress among high school aged youngsters. With support from a Partnership For Success (PFS) prevention grant from the State Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS), the department worked with youngsters and adults from Healthy ME, the Mystic Valley Public Health Coalition, the YWCA and Malden High School (MHS) to create the campaign. The team presented a poster contest to MHS art students that consisted of creating a graphic that represents healthy stress-relieving activities. Focus groups were conducted with other MHS students to help the team choose which graphic should be used for their campaign. MHS freshman Jadelini Mara created the winning artwork that was deemed the favorite and resonated most with the students, and with the theme “Find Your Calm.” “I came up with the picture by thinking what ways I deal with stress on a daily basis, because it’s common knowledge that school is stressful for most kids my age and above,” said Mara. “So, I wanted to go for a happy and uplifting mood for the artwork by using bold colors. The boy in the picture was inspired by one of my friends in my art class, as he was the one who makes our friend group double down by laugher with his jokes.” Prevention research shows J& S LANDSCAPE & MASONRY CO. MULCH SALE! Discount Spring Special PICK-UP or DELIVERY AVAILABLE 617-389-1490 Premium Hemlock or Pitch Black BELOW WHOLESALE COSTS LANDSCAPERS WELCOME $43 yd. $38 yd. Shown from left to right are Mayor Gary Christenson, MHS freshman Jadelini Mara and Leanne Bordonaro, Substance Abuse Prevention Outreach Manager for the Malden PFS grant. (Photo Courtesy of the City of Malden) that the best approach in social marketing campaigns is to offer positive messaging and normalize healthy choices. MHS students reported during focus groups that they like the positivity of Mara’s artwork. Also, students stated that the poster should contain a QR code where they would be able to get more information on stress and resources. The Malden Health DepartWe Now Offer For Your Eating Pleasure “UBER EATS” Convenient Delivery Service Bianchi’s Pizza and Renzo’s Full Menu To Go Open for Takeout for Bianchi’s Pizza and Renzo’s Food 381 Revere Beach Blvd., Revere 781-284-5600 ment is conducting the “Find Your Calm” campaign because of the results from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System Survey data, which showed that more than half of MHS students experience stress in their lives. Also, the data showed a relationship between self-reported prescription drug (Rx) misuse history and current life stress. After comparing the prevalence of Rx misuse with reported stress, it was determined that MHS students who have a history of prescription drug misuse also report life stress. The “Find Your Calm” poster has a QR code attached that you can scan with your phone, and a page will pop up with more information on stress, prescription drugs and mental health and substance misuse resources. Exelon donates $7,500 to Bread of Life Special to The Advocate E xelon Generation, owner of the Everett LNG Facility and Mystic Generating Station, donated $7,500 to Bread of Life. The organization has ramped up efforts to feed those less fortunate in Everett and surrounding communities during the pandemic. In fact, it just started a “drop-and-go” grocery delivery service, in response to the Governor’s StayAt-Home Order. T her e are man y heart-wrenching stories of neighbors struggling during these challenging times, who have found some relief thanks to Bread of Life. One mother contacted the organization recently saying she is a nine-year Everett resident, and the wife of a disabled veteran with four children. With local food pantry supplies depleted and limited transportation options, she has found it difficult to feed her family. When Bread of life told her they would deliver a box of groceries for her family, she was beyond grateful. Later that day she conveyed her thanks: “I just want to thank you again for your help and kindness; my kids were very happy with a full stomach; please be safe and have a wonderful day.” “As difficult as these times are for all of us, it is particularly trying for families who lack transportation and adequate food and other essentials,” said Exelon Generation’s Northeast Region General Manager, Archie Gleason. “Our company is honored to do what we can to make everyday life a bit brighter for our less fortunate neighbors through donations to organizations, such as Bread of Life.” This year, Bread of Life celebrates 28 years as an incorporated nonprofit helping neighbors in need. From its beginnings as a church potluck supper in 1980, Bread of Life now provides more than one million meals a year to residents in and around Everett who have low-incomes and/or are unemployed, homeless, elderly or disabled.
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