Mentorship BBQ event for young men held in Lanett

BY JOHN BRICE

FOR THE LAFAYETTE SUN

LANETT — Male students in grades seven through 12 were invited to a Young Men of Lanett High School BBQ event in the school lunchroom Thursday, Sept. 3. Freshly grilled hot dogs, chips and beverages were served. 

Joshua Carter, mental health services coordinator for Lanett City Schools, organized the event and said the goal was to help young men develop purpose and character.

“We are just trying to give the young men purpose,” Carter said. “[We’re] trying to teach them different skills, courage, faithfulness, being a gentleman, being honorable, being disciplined, learning integrity, learning how to be a leader, learning to be respectful and how to attain strength.”

Carter said the event was also intended to provide students with positive male leadership and guidance.

“In today’s society, a lot of kids lack that type of leadership, so some of the male staff at Lanett City Schools came together and organized this event just to try to reach some of the kids,” Carter said. “Give them the leadership and guidance they may not be receiving to empower them and make them successful so they can go out into the community.”

He said the students need “guidance, positive role models and a positive male influence on them.”

Carter said the barbecue was the first event of its kind, though mentoring efforts already occur throughout the school year.

“This is the first actual barbecue event that we have hosted; however, we do have mentor sessions during school as well,” Carter said.

He said his role as mental health services coordinator includes bringing awareness to mental health and helping students identify challenges such as stress and anxiety.

“My [role] as a mental health services coordinator is to bring awareness to mental health,” Carter said. “I try to help the students — not just the male students, but the female students as well — identify the struggles they are dealing with. Stress, anxiety and things of that nature.”

Carter said conversations with students have helped staff better understand their needs.

“After speaking with the students, I have learned and gained knowledge of some of their needs such as leadership, guidance and positive role models,” Carter said. “Some of the students expressed the need for counseling.”

He said the district has a school-based mental health therapist onsite each day during the school year.

Carter also emphasized the importance of building trust with students.

“It was designed just by talking with the students,” Carter said. “Once you build rapport with the students, you can identify their needs. They start trusting you, opening up to you and telling you things they may not even tell their parents at home.”

He said many students simply need someone they trust who will listen and understand.

Carter closed by stressing the importance of self-care, leadership and kindness.

“First and foremost, take care of yourself,” Carter said. “Mental health is something we are all struggling with. You have to take time to take care of yourself, so self-care is very important.”

He also encouraged students and adults to show positivity and lift others up.

“Let’s try to show leadership qualities, positivity and always try to uplift the next person,” Carter said. “You never know what the next person is going through, and just by saying, ‘Hey, how are you doing?’ you never know. That might make someone’s day.”