Student mental health top priority for BBP school district

The Bayport-Blue Point High School christened a new Wellness Center on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024.

The creation of the wellness center was an idea that started roughly two years ago and in recognition of the growing mental and social-emotional needs of students in the district.

“It was supported by the district and through private donations, many of which were anonymous, and with the backing of our staff, board of education, and community,” said superintendent of Bayport-Blue Point School District, Dr. Tim Hearney.

The newly appointed room represents “peace and hope, as well as a safe place to reflect and catch our breath,” according to Hearney.

There are stations for different types of mental health activities, and a school psychologist and social worker housed in the center.

“We know that nature plays a role in our health, which is why we are excited to add an outdoor portion to the center in the fall,” said Hearney.

The opening of the Wellness Center coincided with the annual P.S. I Love You Day, which is held on the first Friday of February.

In April 2010, the DiPalma family of West Islip experienced a tragedy when father, Joseph, died by suicide.

“Joey was a man who was always smiling, laughing, and was very involved in the community. On her way out of the car, her father said, ‘I love you’ and she said, ‘I love you’ back. Little did she know, only hours later, she would be taken out of school and told that her father died by suicide. Brought home to a scene nobody should ever see, she felt let down, lost, and unsure of where to turn,” said a spokesperson for the organization.

A month later, a West Islip High School student also died by suicide.

“Both these suicides brought the town together and made each person realize just how truly precious life is. However, tragedy should not be the force for togetherness; Togetherness should be the force that ends tragedies.” Seven months later, as Joseph’s teenaged daughter Brooke was thinking about what she had faced, she remembered the last three words her father said to her, ‘I Love You.’ Brooke took those three words and with the help of her high school’s class club and family, she created P.S. I Love You Day,” said the organization.

“This room is the culmination of years’ worth of hard work—physical, emotional, and mental.  It is the result of connections and partnerships created along the way with the same end goal: to better support our students and community. Mental health is near and dear to our hearts at BBP. We know that when we reduce stress, we create room for other feelings, such as acceptance, openness, and belonging. This is where our school mantra comes to life, reminding all that enter that they belong, that we believe in them, and that anything is possible,” said Hearney.

Elected officials attended the ceremony and included well wishes for the event.

Town of Islip supervisor Angie Carpenter said they “saluted” the district’s commitment to the mental health and well-being of students.

She added, “The Town of Islip through the Youth Bureau, partners with Youth Enrichment Services (YES), who recently opened their mental health clinic in Brentwood, as the mental health of our young residents is a top concern and priority.”

Councilman John Lorenzo (R-4th District) echoed these sentiments and said, “Mental health is a real concern, and I hope other school districts follow this example.”

Congressman Andrew Garbarino (R-2nd district) said, “We must always ensure our kids have access to the support they need, especially during the challenging and formative time that is high school.”

Assemblyman Jarett Gandolfo (R-7th District) called for other schools to follow in BBP’s footsteps and said, “We have made strides in New York to end the stigma surrounding mental health, and recognize that it is integral to our overall health care… It is my hope that this will become the model of student mental health services to be emulated by surrounding districts and eventually the entire state.”