Mary Rager is a school counselor at Hamilton Southeastern High School and has been namded Hero of the Month by the local nonprofit group Prevail, according to my news gather partner, the Hamilton County Reporter.

In September 2018, Prevail started offering psycho-educational support groups for sexual assault survivors at Hamilton Southeastern High School and Fishers High School. According to Prevail, over the course of this partnership, Ms. Rager has been attuned to the social, emotional and academic needs of students who have been effected by sexual assault.

While running groups in the school was a new experience for our advocates as well, Ms. Rager assures there is a space that feels safe and confidential for students.  She  works to arrange the students’ schedules, and provides support over the course of the week to students.  Ms Rager has identified potential triggers for the participants and works to be sensitive to their needs.

Rager has worked to collaborate, tailor the curriculum to the students’ current needs, provide encouragement for their capacity to grow through this experience, and highlight their strengths that can support growth.