By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA – Students at Helena Middle School will learn some conflict resolution tips, the ill-effects of substance abuse and the toll it takes on mental health and more at presentations surrounding the topic of bullying.

On Thursday, Oct. 24, the city of Helena, the Helena Police Department and Compact 2020, in cooperation with the Shelby County Board of Education, will be conducting all day, all grades presentations to the students of Helena Middle School.

The presentations throughout the day will take place during the students P.E. classes where members from Compact 2020 and the Helena Police Department will explain why bullying is an issue and how it can be combatted.

Compact 2020 Assistant Director Nathan Kendrick said the school is hosting the presentation as part of Red Ribbon Week.

“Part of what we do at Compact 2020 is we have folks that work in each community in the county,” Kendrick said. “We cater the message to specific parts of the county and tie in mental health and well-being with the anti-drug message and the bullying fits into that. We hear different concerns in different communities and our officers will be speaking to kids during P.E. class and talking about bullying and why it’s an issue, conflict resolution, substance abuse and mental health.”

Helena Middle School is located at 1299 Hillsboro Parkway.