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Youth Mental Health

The Youth Mental Health Series, proudly sponsored by Wedgwood Christian Services, focuses on students’ mental health, the sources of their distress, and how schools and communities can help address their needs.

Are you feeling the effects of political polarization at your school?

All Districts Beth Heinen Bell

Do high-schoolers feel today’s political tensions in their everyday lives? Is an underlying climate of divisiveness affecting their school experiences at all?

High-schoolers: Do you feel safe at school?

All Districts Beth Heinen Bell

Do today’s high-schoolers feel safe in school? Is that possible in this era of regular headline-making acts of violence in school settings?

District initiative designed to create sense of belonging

Godwin Heights Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

While only started a few months ago, students say the “I Belong, I Matter” program has had a positive impact. It was created based on results of last year’s student survey on belonging.

How much do mental-health stressors complicate the high-school experience?

All Districts Charles Honey

How big of an issue is mental health in high school? Our student panelists weigh in on the pressures they face, including college costs and the need to be successful.

We ask students: What is high school like for you?

All Districts Erin Albanese

Ten students, 10 different high schools. We ask, ‘What is school like for you?’ They weigh in on that, and so much more.

Eating disorders topic of Jan. 29 community event

Rockford Riley Kelley

Rockford, Sanford Behavioral Health and Forest View Hospital to partner for a presentation on eating disorders.

High-schoolers talk mental health with education leaders, legislators

Multi Districts Erin Albanese

What can schools do to support student mental health and make connections? Students shared their thoughts on how and why it’s so important to them.

Counselor offers ‘next-level listening skills’ and a punching bag

Caledonia Alexis Stark

West Michigan Counselor of the Year Hilaski serves as a fierce advocate for her students at Caledonia High School.

Peer listeners, other mental health supports, key to school safety

Caledonia Riley Kelley

Districts’ ever-expanding approach to student mental health includes peer groups, counseling services, added curriculum and more.

District invests in web of support for students’ health, well-being

Kentwood Erin Albanese

Nurses, health aides, social-emotional learning coaches and community partners are working together to meet students’ needs.

‘Creating a feeling of compassion & care’

Kenowa Hills Alexis Stark

Kenowa Hills continues efforts to support mental health for students of all ages, featuring a therapy dog who is such a good listener. Yes he is!

Restorative circles create safe space at the top of the day

Kenowa Hills Alexis Stark

Restorative morning circles in Margaret Sicilian’s classroom at Central Elementary lift barriers and open the possibility for connection, collaboration and mutual understanding.

Students tackle youth mental health crisis with peers

Youth Mental Health Allison Poosawtsee

As Michigan schools strategize to provide mental health support for students, these high schoolers are taking action on their own...

Amid youth mental health crisis, districts invest in new programs

Youth Mental Health Allison Poosawtsee

Youth are in crisis when it comes to mental health. What are Kent County schools doing to address the concerns that students bring into the classroom?

What do you like best about school?

All Districts Erin Albanese

In this final installment of our student roundtable, the high school panelists share what they enjoy about school, and what makes them feel connected...

How safe do you feel in your school?

All Districts Charles Honey

Our student panelists talk about the toll school shootings take on their sense of safety, and what needs to be done to curb the plague of gun violence in schools...

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ABOUT US

School News Network reports on the 20 public school districts in Kent ISD, which enroll more than 102,000 students. Founded in 2013 as an initiative of Kent ISD, we are supported by local districts and community sponsors, and powered by an experienced team of reporters, editors and multimedia journalists. We specialize in covering classroom teaching and learning, analyzing the many issues facing students and highlighting the education magic that happens each day in our public schools.

Tech Center student’s trajectory: sparks and arcs

After facing his own health issue, senior looks forward to helping others

Shop class, summer jobs pave the way for construction career

She can sing, she can lead, she’s the new principal

Basking in the glow of their art

‘The PIT’ stop: Lab offers space for innovation, creation

Career day all about discovering future opportunities

‘Very freeing’: Students sound off during poetry slam

Is AI helping you learn, or just making you lazier?

Student reporter looks into impact of school lockdowns

Vietnamese students write family narratives, contribute to local history