On February 9, 2024, the students of White House Middle School (WHMS) and several community members in White House, Tennessee, wore purple and spread love to others to help eradicate the stigma around mental health for P.S. I Love You Day.

P.S. I Love You Day was started in 2011 by two sisters, Brooke and Jaimie DiPalma, who lost their father to suicide, and is now observed by over 650 schools and organizations nationwide. 

Taking place on the second Friday of February each year, P.S. I Love You Day’s goal is to instill hope for those affected by mental illness by fostering a supportive environment and a community where everyone feels welcomed, loved, and supported. 

Special Education teacher Stephanie Haberman first introduced P.S. I Love You Day to WHMS in 2017 after learning about it from a friend in New York, where the movement originated. 

This year the theme was “Love is Meant to be Given,” and WHMS held activities all week long to raise awareness. 

“The students really showed up this year and wore purple to celebrate this day and spread the message to others,” says Stephanie. “Each day we challenged the students to do something for themselves and to others, as love is not just meant to be given to others, but you can start by giving love to yourself.”

Students and teachers alike participated by chalking the sidewalk with positive messages, hanging positive posters and sticker decals around the building, and sending kindness grams of encouragement to one another. 

“We wanted to remind them that they are enough and they are worthy,” Stephanie encourages. 

Despite there being many moments of love and joy at WHMS on any given school day, the idea of being intentional about it through P.S. I Love You Day brought their community closer together. 

“Love was more abundant and spread more easily throughout our building that week. It was a joy filler for sure. I love what I do, and spreading love is my favorite, so this day just adds that extra special feeling in my heart when I see others spreading joy and wearing purple for this message,” says Stephanie.

In 2025, P.S. I Love You day just happens to fall on February 14—Valentine’s Day—a day where three in five Americans feel unloved or lonely, according to a study by Cigna. 

Stephanie Haberman would love to see the movement reach further when it comes around next year.

“This event is tailored for everyone. We started it in our school and are spreading it throughout the White House community, and hopefully all of Sumner County, and more!” she says. 

To learn more about P.S. I Love You Day and to find out how your organization can be involved, check out their website at https://psiloveyouday.net/ .

*The P.S. I Love You Day video was made by Gracey Short.