As the rates of nicotine addiction in teens continue to increase, the health center at Grand Ledge High School (GLHS) is creating a new way to offer support. In Jan. 2026, the school’s health center staff is launching a new student support group designed for teens struggling with addiction to tobacco products. Kristin Halsell and Melissa Dahlgren created this program, which offers a judgment-free space where students can talk openly, learn coping skills, and work toward quitting their addiction with support.
“Basically, we did a needs assessment in the community, and one of the biggest needs was kids using nicotine and getting addicted,” Halsell said.
This new addition to the school is beginning on Jan. 13, 2026. The support group will be held during C3 and part of 5th hour.
“The group will be 8 weeks long, it’s about 50 minutes per session, but the bulk of it will be during C3 and then a little bit into 5th hour. And in the middle of the program, there is a quit day that we have helped the students build up some skills and some mindset of living free of nicotine,” Halsell said.
This group is organized to accept referrals from peers or teachers. Just because you are referred does not mean you have to participate. Halsell and Dahlgren want to keep the group small so that people can feel comfortable in their journey to quitting nicotine addiction.
“We can call you, and you can say, not interested yet. Thanks. Because it’s voluntary. It’s confidential. It’s a group. So, you know, like, we’re relying on everybody else in the group to uphold that confidentiality, [and] it’s up to 10 kids,” Dahlgren said.
This initiative stands out for its student-centered approach: rather than punishing students caught vaping, the health center focuses on recovery, support, and education. Now that nicotine addiction is becoming more prevalent and more socially acceptable among high schoolers, the health center wants to break the stigma and help students change their habits.
“We want kids to know they’re not gonna get in trouble for being part of the quit group for kind of owning that they’re using vapes or cigarettes or chew,” Halsell said.
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