![Bing talking about the plan for the day with her students in one of her AP Biology courses. “If I wasn't passionate about working with students, I don't think [I’d stay in teaching], but no, it's absolutely the students that I have that [make it worth it,” Bing stated. Photo taken by Sylvia Bartlett.](https://ahstalonnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/bing.jpg)
![“It depends on what the purpose of the homework is. And it shouldn't just be to make somebody do something, but to show [something]. Have they shown mastery of that point?” Bing said. “Is it something that, in terms of the learning process, connects to whatever learning outcomes. [It’s] kind of shifting the point of the homework from what students sometimes think of it as, instead of what it actually is.” Created by Sylvia Bartlett using Canva.](https://ahstalonnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/hw.png)
Mental health is just as important as physical health, but it’s not easy to take care of and is difficult to overcome alone, however, the Mental Health Club will welcome you with open arms and hear you out.
The Mental Health Club was recently created in the past few years at Ankeny High School (AHS). Its mission is to promote mental health awareness. The club tries to spread positivity with a weekly quote, create posters, and participate in school activities.
“It’s a group dedicated to mental health and raising awareness and trying to let students know it’s okay to not be okay and that there shouldn’t be any stigma attached to mental health,” said club advisor Mr. Cano.
The club is available to anyone to join and meets Wednesdays at 8:00 in Mr. Cano’s room. The club environment is very relaxed, with some days being time for open conversation, while on other days, they work on posters.
“It’s a very fun environment, some days we crack down and do some work, while other days we have a free conversation,” states co-president Will Harms.
The club is open to talk to people who are going through any issues. Co-president Will Harms recalls a time last year when the club members rallied to support him after the passing of a family member.
“I lost my uncle in November and that was really hard for me and I didn’t know how to cope with it, but my co-presidents were there for me and they sat down and asked if I needed anything or wanted to go out for lunch, but if something happens to someone and they bring it to anyone’s attention whether that be another member or a co-president, we’ll keep it 100% confidential and talk about it,” Harms said.
The mental club also tries to promote resources available to AHS students, such as the Student Assistance Program (SAP), which offers free counseling sessions for students and their families, which many students don’t know about and can be hesitant to use.
“People don’t want to be ostracized for going out and looking for help, even if it’s something they could be using. With the Student Assistance Program, students can get six free sessions and some students could use that, but they just don’t want to,” said Mr. Cano.
Mental health has become more prominent as students are stressed by multiple things, such as AP classes, work, and their future plans, but taking some time to take care of their mental health is important.
“Nobody should be afraid to speak up or feel weak about their mental health, being able to talk it out and self-care is important, and there [are] other people out there who are willing to listen,” said club member Kira Malloy.
The stigma around mental health has been growing over the past few years, as Mr. Cano believes that mental health is getting stigmatized, and a mental disorder turns people off from getting help.
“I think the idea of mental health kinda getting stigmatized with a mental disorder really kind of turns people off from going out and getting help,” states Mr. Cano.
It’s been a challenge for club members to raise awareness about mental health due to students not taking the topic seriously and people not wanting to talk about it.
“I think when we do our fundraisers out in the comments, people think it’s kind of a joke, but in reality it’s a huge serious topic and it’s becoming a more pressing issue nowadays especially in schools like high schools, so there needs to be more of a serious not about it,” states Harms.
The most important lesson that students in the Mental Health Club have learned is self-care.
“You just have to realize life is hard. It’s not shiny and there’s a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. You gotta just put your mind to it, but if you are struggling, that’s okay. Go find the help you need to better yourself,” states Harms.
Although it’s hard to speak up about your mental health, being with a group of others who share similar struggles and are willing to listen can make a big difference.
“Part of being in the Mental Health Club is spreading that joy and making sure that it’s okay to not be okay and it’s okay to ask for help if you need it, whether it’s something small or something big that help is there for you, if you just look for it” Mr. Cano stated.
