Thrive winter session: Free mental health program for grades 6-12

PARK CITY, Utah — Registration is now open for the Thrive Winter Session, a free program for students in grades 6 through 12 aimed at improving mental health and well-being. The program, hosted by the Live Like Sam Foundation in partnership with WeBeWell, runs from Feb. 10 through April 4, 2025. Registration closes on Feb. 5.

The Thrive program is a preventative mental health initiative that equips youth with tools to manage stress, build healthy relationships, and establish positive habits. Developed and delivered by WeBeWell, the program uses an evidence-based curriculum rooted in positive and clinical psychology.

Program Details Thrive sessions are held weekly via Zoom, with students required to attend at least five of six sessions to complete the program and qualify for a $60 research stipend. Participants are divided into cohorts based on grade level:

• Grades 6-8: Sessions available Monday through Friday, with times ranging from after school to early evening.
• Grades 9-12: Sessions offered Monday through Friday, with similar scheduling options.

The program is free for students in Summit and Wasatch counties, thanks to grants and donations that cover the $500-per-student cost.

Impact and Outcomes The Thrive program engaged more than 500 local youth in 2023 and continues to evaluate its effectiveness through research. The program aims to improve and adapt to students’ needs by assessing various components of well-being and mental health.

Randomized control trials on the WeBeWell curriculum have demonstrated several benefits:

• Reduced depression, anxiety, and stress
• Improved attention, memory, and overall well-being
• Fewer sick days and increased gratitude and energy levels

Future Sessions After the Winter Session, additional programs are planned for the spring, summer, and fall, with dates to be announced.

Registration Information Registration closes at 11:59 p.m. on February 5. For more information or to register, email programs@livelikesam.org or visit the Live Like Sam Foundation website.