Clarence Students Learn About Mental Health

Students at Clarence High School took time to think about mental health with multiple lessons, including the personal story of a Clarence family about the loss they had suffered due to mental illness.

The One Clarence Wednesday presentation by D&G Wellness and The Tallman Curtis Family Foundation, Inc. highlighted the story of Brock Curtis, a Clarence High School graduate who died in 2021 from his mental illness at the age of 24. Students watched a video featuring messages from members of Brock’s family, who shared memories of Brock and reinforced the importance of seeking help and communicating with others during mental health challenges.

Brock’s mother Debbie is currently walking more than 500 miles from New York City to Buffalo to draw attention to the urgent need for mental health resources and to provide hope to those affected by mental illness. Her walk will end on Saturday, October 19 at Sunset Park in Clarence. All are welcome to join her at 2 p.m. that day at Sunset Park to celebrate the walk and bring additional attention to the cause. To learn more please visit, 4teambrock.com.

The presentation, held as a part of the school’s One Clarence Wednesday, came the day before World Mental Health Day on October 10. Mental health was also emphasized in health classes during the week, with students hearing from Patrick Greene of Horizon Health Services about the importance of compassion and connection in regards to mental health.

Earlier in the week, the Clarence Family Support Center received a $20,000 grant from Fidelis Care, with funds going towards no-cost direct mental health support for students and to help address challenges to accessing care.

Additional mental health resources in Erie County can be found at https://www3.erie.gov/mentalhealth/i-need-help-now.