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Youth Mental Health

This series focuses on students’ mental health, the sources of their distress, and how schools and communities can help.

The money’s there for students’ mental-health struggles. The people aren’t

Youth Mental Health Charles Honey

Pandemic-fueled student anxiety and depression are overloading school mental-health services...

‘Every child has their story’

Caledonia Alexis Stark

Named West Michigan Counselor of the Year by the West Michigan Counseling Association, Bari Kane strives to build relationships with her students, be a good listener and resource for mental health support...

Students open up concerning issues impacting their lives

Youth Mental Health Alexis Stark

Mental health issues a major factor for teens...

Elementary reflections: ‘Everyone matters because they are special’

Godwin Heights Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

West Godwin students take a page from Christian Robinson’s book to reflect on their unique contributions to their school and community...

Local students respond to Oxford shootings: ‘This should not be normal’

Youth Mental Health Morgan Jarema

Area students share their thoughts in the wake of the latest U.S. school shooting, this time fewer than 200 miles away...

Learning opportunities for student social-emotional and mental-health support

All Districts Kirsten Myers, director of special education, Kent ISD

Special Education Director Kirsten Myers shared the following list of Kent ISD resources that was sent out to special-education and other administrators throughout Kent County following last week’s mass shooting at Oxford High School...

Positive behavior: that’s the ticket

Godwin Heights Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

Through incentives such as tickets for good behavior, West Godwin is seeing good results from a positive-behavior intervention program...

Fitnesspalooza boosts minds, bodies, one another

Cedar Springs Beth Heinen Bell

A mental and physical wellness day in Cedar Springs taught sixth-graders how to cope with stress and advocate for their peers...

New curriculum helps students understand how emotions impact learning

Godwin Heights Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

The district created a committee last year to review its social-emotional learning curriculum by defining a vision, considering why it is important and what the district hopes to achieve...

Gunner, another counseling dog, joins Chillie as greeter, morale booster

Rockford Beth Heinen Bell

The Rockford Education Foundation recently welcomed Gunner the golden retriever to the high school counseling program as a counseling dog...

School coordinators tap into communities, connect resources

All Districts Erin Albanese

Eighteen months into the pandemic, there’s perhaps never been a time more pressing for families to have a sense of belonging in their schools...

Wanted: teens who can inspire change, spark passions

Youth Mental Health Alexis Stark

Local middle- and high-school students are invited to apply by June 4...

Making mental health awareness part of school culture

Kenowa Hills Alexis Stark

Paint Kenowa Green is about creating safe spaces and ending stigma...

Mentoring during a pandemic: more important than ever

Northview Morgan Jarema

There’s a long list of students waiting for a positive role model, and a list of adults waiting to be of support. The program is always looking for more volunteers...

Creating safe spaces

Kenowa Hills Alexis Stark

On a freezing February morning at Pathways High School, two speakers from Michigan non-profit i understand spoke to students about the importance of mental health...