Dumont School Officials: Students 'More Stressed Than Ever'

DUMONT, N.J. — Officials at Dumont High School say students have much more stressful lives today than previous generations, which is why the school is hosting a Mental Health and Wellness Fair.

Dumont High School Students learned about Relay for Life at the Dumont High School Mental Health and Wellness Fair.
Photo Credit: *Arthur Augustyn*

Promoting positive thinking, students wrote down what they have to celebrate in their life.
Photo Credit: *Arthur Augustyn*

Students answered questions about their own well being. Each answer corresponds to a specific color that they can use to color the back of the questionnaire.
Photo Credit: *Arthur Augustyn*

Students learned simple dance moves and unwind.
Photo Credit: *Arthur Augustyn*

Student Assistance Counselor Patty Connelly (left) talked to students about drug and alcohol risks by passing around a ball with questions on it.
Photo Credit: *Arthur Augustyn*

A fortune teller told students their future in exchange for a promise to do a good deed in the next week.
Photo Credit: *Arthur Augustyn*

The key to any student's heart: free food. The provided snacks promoted healthy eating.
Photo Credit: *Arthur Augustyn*

Arthur Augustyn

11/30/2016 6:00 p.m.

Started by the school's Director of Special Services Dr. Paul Barbato, the event remains popular among students.

"The sheer amount of testing, the college pressures, and the constant change too," the high school's health and physical education teacher Pete Vilardi said.

"A lot of the uncertainty of the school world makes it more stressful. You don’t know what’s going to make or break."

Students looked forward to attending the fair and asked who or what would be available for this year's rendition, Vilardi said.

"I know they appreciate the day, a lot of them do take a good deal from the day," he said.

"Even if it’s to take a deep breath and unwind and cope with the stresses of the High School student."

Dumont High School's Mental Health and Wellness Fair is hosted annually. The fair is open to students all day.

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