The Bridge Way School, 7360 Jackson St., Pennsylvania’s first and only recovery high school serving youths with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders, celebrated Mental Health Month with a Mental Health Awareness Block Party.
The May 31 event was sponsored by the Philadelphia Community Clothing Drive and National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Bridge Way is a small school of only 25 youths ages 14-21, all from Philadelphia. The state pays 60 percent of tuition, while the school district pays 40 percent. Bridge Way also raises money. Erin Bernard-Harris is the principal.
The afternoon included vendors, a visit by Engine 36, pretzels, grilled hot dogs, doughnuts, music, a dunk tank, moonbounce, an inflatable slide, face painting, cornhole and remarks by state Sen. Joe Picozzi.
Picozzi had previously visited the school. He said there is a mental health crisis.
“This is an extremely important day,” he said. ••
