In what has become an annual tradition, Merion Mercy Academy seniors complete a Mercy Mystics project through which they "live mercy, seek justice" by responding in a practical way to one of the Sisters of Mercy's critical concerns. The students choose from one of these topics on which the Sisters focus their social justice efforts: Anti-Racism, Earth, Immigration, Non-Violence, and Women. Projects this year have included recognizing and responding to microaggresion, providing impoverished women with feminine hygiene products, and bringing awareness to the importance of bees.
For her project, which she planned for May–Mental Health Awareness Month–Emily Murphy led her classmates in creating stress balls. Having struggled with mental health issues herself, she says she was hoping to destigmatize the topic by engaging others in an easy and fun related activity. "Everyone was excited about the stress balls," she says, "and I see girls using them."
To bring her idea to fruition, Emily's therapist suggested she fund the project's supplies through a grant from the JED Foundation, a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide in teens and young adults. Emily outlined her needs and the grant was approved.
Emily's stress balls (balloons filled with rice) also fit nicely into her career plans. Next year she will attend the University of Scranton where she will major in occupational therapy.