“Too many of our young people are hiding pain behind smiling faces; too many are struggling with the stresses of daily life. We invite you to come to hear what they have to say about they are experiencing life today,” says Franklin’s Dr. Anne Bergen, President of the SAFE Coalition Board of Directors.

The Franklin Public Schools Mental Health and Wellbeing Task Force is excited to host their community conversation event, “THE KIDS ARE NOT ALRIGHT! WHAT THEY WANT YOU TO KNOW.” On March 9th at 7 p.m. at the Horace Mann Middle School Auditorium Franklin MA 02038.

“Not in my town!  Not my kid!” How often do we hear these words?  We can no longer turn away from the “inconvenient truth.”  It is our town, and it is our kids. Through the hard work of our Mental Health and Wellbeing Task Force, and with the results of the MetroWest Adolescent Health Study, we now know how many of our kind, caring, and bright students are struggling with their mental wellness. 

Join us for this event, which will be led by Franklin High School and Boston College Alumni, Student-Athlete Nicole Clairmont. Nicole is a born leader and gifted speaker who will share how her rise in athletics through Division 1 high school and collegiate experiences impacted her mental wellbeing. Nicole will share the stage with current Franklin High School students who will explore how mental health and education have impacted their self-development and growth. This event aims to educate families on how their children and their peers are experiencing their own mental health challenges and will provide ways adults can support their development.  

A recent poll taken at the high school highlighted these areas as current top stressors: • 81.1% School/Academic Expectations/Grades

• 37.2% Sports/Extra Curricular Activities

• 35.4% Friends/Relationships

• 26.7% Parents/Family

Following are some quotes from Franklin students responding to the poll:

• “Mental Health is affecting high school students at a bigger level than adults realize, and students everywhere are struggling. We need to get motivation and good study habits back after losing so many of these skills during remote learning.”

• “Students my age have very high expectations for themselves (social media, college, image, etc.) and are easily affected when teachers/parents are really short/frustrated with them...It’s important to be careful and patient when talking to people about mental health and identity.”

• “Not every kid can function to the best of their ability everyday.”

The speaker for the event, Nicole Clermont, grew up in Franklin, Massachusetts raised by her mother Mary, father Chris, and two older brothers, Corey and Ryan. Nicole graduated from Franklin High School in 2018 as a 4-year Varsity Track and Field and Cross Country runner, serving as captain of Cross Country her Junior and Senior Year and captain of Track & Field her Senior year, with record-breaking stats. 

During her time at FHS, Nicole was also a member of the Spanish National Honors Society, Peer Leader Group, 40% Club, and the S.A.F.E Coalition. Nicole attended Boston College, and during her time on the Heights, Nicole was the 2019 USATF Junior National Cross Country Champion, earning her the opportunity to race for Team USA at the 2019 IAAF World Cross Country Championships. Nicole was a part of the BC Student Athlete Advisory Committee, as the Marketing and Communications director from 2019-2022. Nicole graduated from Boston College Magna Cum Laude in May 2022 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Psychology and Human Development, and a minor in Philosophy. Nicole worked at the Hockomock YMCA as a camp counselor and the Director of Choose to Be Nice. Nicole is now pursuing her Masters in Theology at the University of Notre Dame as a part of the ECHO Graduate Service Program. Nicole currently works at St. Peter the Apostle Church in River Edge, NJ as a Faith Formation Associate as she pursues her Master’s degree.