Gunston’s program, culture, and campus have been intentionally created to reinforce psychological “protective factors.” These factors have been carefully studied and documented by psychologists over time: the promotion of healthy self-regard and reliable family support; a culture that supports academic and personal achievement; participation in clubs, sports, and religious activities; appropriate behavioral limits; a safe and supportive peer culture; and strong relational attachments to teachers and healthy adult mentors. In addition, Gunston’s 75-acre waterfront campus plays a meaningful role in student wellness, as there is compelling research on the connection between access to greenspace and mental health. More than any single thing we do at Gunston, it is the integrated totality of the academic, athletic, artistic, and social experience in a beautiful natural location that promotes adolescent mental wellness and resilience. Gunston’s formal curriculum and program also includes a formal orientation, The Gunston Experience Course—which focuses on personal, social, and academic growth—as well as a Wellness course, a multi-year College Guidance curriculum, a week-long Bay Studies outdoor learning program, and a formal Learning Center that provides academic support. Thus, healthy mental wellness is highly correlated to each student’s depth of engagement across the full range of Gunston’s opportunities. 
 

We have invested in more targeted social media education. When I was a kid, adults warned that playing video games would turn an entire generation into violent sociopaths, so I try to view technological scaremongering with skepticism. Social media and smart devices are here to stay, but the research on their negative and positive impact is becoming clearer. Since 2012 (the year smartphone ownership exceeded 50%), trend lines associated with adolescent depression, anxiety, and suicide started bending dramatically upwards. At the same time, trends associated with substance use, teen pregnancy, and risky sexual behavior went in the opposite direction. As we work to support our students as they navigate the relationship between technology and their social experiences, this year Gunston is partnering with The Social Institute (TSI). Highly recommended by our peer school colleagues, TSI offers engaging programming and school policy support, and their mission is to “empower students to navigate their social world positively…to fuel their health, happiness, and future success.” ​​ 
 

Gunston continues to partner with Freedom from Chemical Dependency (FCD). FCD’s research-based “social norms” approach provides students and the adults who care for them with the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to make intelligent, healthy choices about alcohol, tobacco and other drug use. Each year, Gunston invites FCD to campus for an engaging multi-day educational program, and we regularly conduct FCD’s Student Attitudes and Behavior Survey—an anonymous 50-question instrument built to scientifically measure students’ actual attitudes and behavior with regard to alcohol and other drugs, as well as their perceptions of the behavior and attitudes of their classmates.

This year, we are “Reimagining Advisory.” Since our founding, Gunston’s advisory program has been a cornerstone of emotional support and connection for students. Over the past year, a team of Gunston teachers and administrators has been participating in a program led by notables like Dr. William Damon, who runs the Stanford Center on Adolescence, to further enhance our advisory programming. This year we are integrating a new extended advisory period called “Community, Belonging, and Leadership” (CBL), to provide increased student-advisor and student-to-student connection with the aim of promoting purpose, meaningful discussion, and fun. 

We offer several important student-led clubs with a focus on community wellbeing. At Gunston, some of our most impactful health and wellness programming is student-designed and student-led. Our Mental Health Awareness Club leads initiatives like our anti-bullying Unity Day and Mental Health Awareness Week. Our Student Diversity Leadership Club supports the values articulated in our Diversity statement, and coordinates our dynamic annual Global Awareness Day. Our Christian Athletes Club is a forum to explore the connection between athletics and spiritual values. Finally, our Gay-Straight Alliance offers a supportive space for students, and aims to mitigate the unique mental health risks faced by students in the LBGTQ+ community.
 

Gunston offers ongoing training of faculty and staff in Mental Health First Aid for youth. A number of our faculty and staff are certified in a national program sponsored by the National Council of Mental Wellness that instructs educators how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training helps develop the skills needed to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis. Meanwhile, all 10th grade students complete an adolescent depression awareness program during The Gunston Experience offered through Johns Hopkins University.
 

Finally, this year we have engaged with Waypoint Wellness to formalize a Consulting Psychologist role At Gunston. Dr. Tana Clarke, Waypoint Wellness Center’s co-founder and CEO, is a clinical psychologist specializing in children and adolescents, and will oversee all of Waypoint’s services. A Waypoint clinician will be on-site weekly to meet with students individually, or in small groups, to help with their functioning at school. In addition, their team will work closely with school staff to integrate wellness policies and programs into the school environment. This will include skills training for student mindfulness, self-regulation, stress management, and self-care; addressing peer conflict; identifying social, emotional, or learning challenges; crisis and risk monitoring and assessment; screening for the need for outside mental health services; and assisting with connecting families to necessary health services. Families are required to consent to have their student meet with Waypoint, and it’s important to note that Waypoint’s role is not to provide psychological assessment or treatment for Gunston students, but rather to address barriers to student success and well-being at school from a mental health perspective.