When Sarah Freeman attended a mental health club over the summer, she realized how important mental health is and how much stigma there is around the topic.
She decided to act. During her senior year at Destrehan High School, she founded Mind Matters, a mental health club designed to create open conversations and support among students.
“The club gave me the opportunity to raise more awareness about mental health, while also giving people a comfortable place to talk, and relate to each other about mental health,” Freeman said.
At one of the club’s meetings, she hosted an open mic event. She said it was a moment she will remember forever.
“Being able to see the support from everyone made a difference in my life,” Freeman said. “The fact that the idea of starting the club had turned into something special meant so much to me. I will never forget that moment and the people I impacted that day.”
Freeman’s desire to help others extended beyond the club itself. During her senior year, she received the school’s Leadership, Loyalty and Service Award. Of all her accomplishments, Freeman said that award meant the most.
“Earning it helped me to realize the impact I made on my school and the people around me,” she said.
For Freeman, Destrehan High School is a place where students could truly discover who they are.
“You will come in thinking your life is going to be one way, and leave in another direction,” she said. “Destrehan is a place for people to find their true selves, and gain so many new experiences and opportunities.”
Freeman participated in several activities during her four years at DHS. She was a member of the step team, Interact Club, DHS Ambassadors, peer mentoring, Beta Club, National English Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society. During her senior year, she was selected for homecoming court. She was also a member of the tennis team for four years, and she discovered a passion for powerlifting during her final two years.
“Powerlifting truly grew me out of my comfort zone beyond anything I had ever endured in my life,” she said. “It allowed me to gain confidence in myself and get through challenges I didn’t think that I could face.”
Freeman credits the people around her for helping her succeed.
“The friends and faculty I built relationships with allowed me to do things out of my comfort zone and walk without fear,” she said.
Among those mentors, one stood above the rest. Freeman said Counselor Robin Valerius played the biggest role in helping her navigate high school.
“She was always there for me when I needed support,” Freeman said. “I loved being able to walk in her presence and immediately thrive from her positive and welcoming energy. I would not have been able to push through high school without her support.”
This fall, Freeman plans to attend Providence College, where she will study psychology and continue expanding her knowledge of mental health — a passion that already changed the culture for students at her Destrehan High.
