Recap: Initiatives to Support Student Mental Health
Colorado Youth for a Change
We address barriers to learning by providing individualized supports throughout pivotal stages of students' journeys.
Yesterday, Colorado Youth for a Change facilitated a panel discussion on student mental health via the Colorado Reengagement Network. Here are highlights from the event, plus some resources to implement now!
“Provide intentional community.”
At the panel, Gina Difelice and Tricia Vanhorssen from Rocky Mountain High School gave viewers a tour of their student Wellness Center, and Melissa Mouton and Keith Hayes of 5280 High School in Denver discussed the ways 5280 supports students in a smaller school setting. Attendees then got the opportunity to learn and ask questions about I Matter Colorado, a statewide program that offers free counseling and resources to Colorado youth.?
Keith Hayes of 5280 High School summed up our panelists’ strategies with the mantra "provide intentional community." When students feel intentionally supported by their school community, their mental health improves. This looks different in every situation, but our panelists offered great places to start: explore implementing a wellness center at your school or student-serving organization; empower students to meet other students who have faced similar challenges and learn from each other in an open and authentic environment; or leverage state resources to extend support outside of the classroom. This intentionality shows students that you care about them and their wellbeing.?
Start Where You Are, With What You Have
Our panelists from Rocky Mountain High School emphasized the need to start somewhere, even if you do not feel fully prepared. RMHS started their Wellness Center with no initial funding, soliciting donations from the community and building upon the strength of staff buy-in. Similarly, I Matter’s resources are highly accessible tools you can implement right now at no cost. The program enables all Colorado youth 18 and younger (and up to age 21 for those receiving special education services) to receive six free counseling sessions with a licensed professional therapist. As Gina Difelice said, our students need consistency above all else. The urgency of the mental health crisis needs attention now; showing up consistently right now for our students is better than implementing a perfect plan later.?
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Perhaps the most inspiring part of this event was each panelist’s willingness and enthusiasm to share what has been working for them. We help more students together!
If you’re not already signed up to receive updates about the Colorado Reengagement Network, we encourage you to?sign up here! We’d love to see you on a future event.?
Resources from the webinar: