In Coeur d’Alene, local students are taking on the challenge of reducing the stigma surrounding mental health struggles. They are becoming advocates and leaders in their schools and communities, working to raise awareness, prevent issues, and provide support resources. Two such students are Luke and Emma Sharon from Lake City High School, who have turned their own experiences with mental health crises into inspirational initiatives.
Luke Sharon has organized a mental health day at school with guest speakers and collaborated with Kootenai Health to display a banner featuring the 988 crisis line. His efforts earned him the Mental Health Awareness Award for his goal of ensuring students have access to resources before they reach a crisis point. Emma Sharon has shared her personal struggles with suicidal thoughts through powerful presentations, detailing what helped her during her darkest moments.
Their mother, Melissa Sharon, expressed pride in her children’s commitment to improving mental health support for young people and families. The Sharons were recognized alongside other nominated students from North Idaho for their resilience and dedication to mental health advocacy. The nominees included students involved in awareness clubs, aspiring mental health professionals, peer counselors, and advocacy organizers.
Raelynn Loken, a mental health specialist in the Coeur d’Alene School District, commended the inspiring stories of the student nominees. Although the plan was initially to select just one winner, Loken explained that they were moved by all the stories and decided to honor each nominee for their contributions to mental health awareness and support.
To further support ongoing efforts to promote mental health awareness and resources in the community, the Coeur d’Alene School District is hosting the Sources of Strength Color Run at Woodland Middle School on June 1st. This event will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., aiming to raise funds for mental health awareness initiatives while promoting physical activity and wellness among participants of all ages
