Students Advocating for Mental Health (SAMH)

Growing up in Pottstown, I witnessed the devastating effects of mental health struggles due to a lack of support within my community. I’ve lost two friends I’d grown up with to suicide, and their absence lingers daily. This is what SAMH means to me: the ability to foster an environment where students feel safe, supported, and valued. SAMH is not just a club, but a promise that no student should ever feel invisible.

As co-chair, I want to carry this promise forward by creating a culture where students feel secure enough to speak openly, lean on one another, and find strength in knowing that WE are never alone. Mental wellness is the foundation, or the ‘soil’, from which our community at Hill grows, and by nurturing it, we create a safer environment. My goal is for SAMH to remain a place where compassion, awareness, and resilience take root, and I am committed to helping us flourish so that every student feels seen, heard, and supported together.
 

When I first came to Hill as a shy third former, I went to a field hockey game and saw a group of students at a table with a sign that said “SAMH." Unaware of what this meant, I went up to this group and asked what SAMH stood for. They responded by saying “Students Advocating for Mental Health,” then proceeded to hand me a shirt that read “Your mental health matters" on the back. That simple gesture stuck with me throughout my four years at Hill. I understand that it can be challenging at times to find a proper balance between athletics, academics, and a social life at Hill. It can become very easy to become overwhelmed with stress, as I myself have fallen victim to this common issue, which was one of the biggest motivations that led me to run for SAMH co-chair. Many people in our community struggle and don’t let anyone know how they're feeling due to embarrassment or the fear of being judged, and SAMH comes together every year to let you know you’re never alone. As co-chair, I want to be voice for those who have not yet found it, because I know what it’s like to be in that same predicament. Through my leadership position, I hope to reduce the stigma surrounding speaking on mental health and encourage more open conversations about it, while leaving the School a happier place than I found it.

 

SAMH Student Leadership

Ella Armstrong ’27 | Publicity/Artist
Martina Chai ’27 | Publicity/Artist
Jackson Bala ’27 | Publicity/Artist
Ellie Jones ’27 | Events/Liaison
Jaxob Xu ’26 | Events/Liaison
Arkadi Bindar ’26 | Events/Liaison
Saoirse Harlan ’27 Events/Liaison