Our teens are making a difference! Over the past two years, thirty-five Claymont High School students in our PUP program have received Teen Mental Health First Aid Certification. These seven-hour courses were funded by a grant from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) and taught by Tuscarawas County OSU Extension official Bridget Britton. Students learned how to recognize signs of mental health challenges and offer help to their peers.These PUP members along with our facility dog, Audrey, are working to create a positive and supportive learning environment at CHS.

Peers Uplifting Peers, otherwise known as PUP, is a student-led program that started in 2019. It is supervised by Mrs. Heather Dotts. PUP leaders train daily and lead bi-weekly meetings open to all students. Their goal is to provide a safe space for peer interactions. In September, which is Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month, PUP members are focusing on working with guidance counselors on raising awareness and providing resources for our students.

We're proud of our students' commitment to creating a safe and inclusive school community. You can follow our PUP group and our facility dog in Instagram @claymontfacilitydogs.