Many people see winter as a winter wonderland, going about their day with a cheery spirit because the holidays are almost here. Sadly though, this season can also bring an increase in mental health crises, which can lead people suffering to St. Luke’s for treatment and help. That is why the Kennedy Active Minds club has decided to help the cause.

“We are doing a donation drive for the behavioral health wings, both the children and the adult wing. Those are where kids through adults go if they are having a mental crisis,” Dana Melone, AP Psychology teacher and Active Minds sponsor said.

There are many things that are needed for those who are at St. Luke’s, including blankets, pads, tampons, drawstring bags, new water bottles, composition notebooks, playing cards, pens and pencils, markers, and activity books.

This time of year, it is so crucial for students to donate and help the cause if they can. The holidays and the winter brings an increase in patients, and it can be hard to care for all with different constraints on the wing.

“Funding for mental health is really poor, and so a lot of the funding that they have doesn’t necessarily go extras that they could be providing for people. A lot of the people that are in there who spend a lot of time there and there’s not a lot to do,” Melone said.

The mental health wing also cares for many homeless adults, something in which many people fail to look at when thinking about mental health issues.

“When [the homeless patients] leave, some donations go to providing them with blankets and drawstring bags to put deodorant and toiletries in to help them after,’ Melone said.

Donations will still be accepted up until Winter break, and all donations can be turned in to room 107.