Supporting Mental Health Services for Students
The COVID-19 pandemic and school closures have left some students across the state without access or with limited access to mental health support during this time.
The COVID-19 pandemic and school closures have left some students across the state without access or with limited access to mental health support during this time. We are seeing emerging efforts from foundations and their nonprofit partners to address this critical issue for youth.
With support from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund (the Health Fund), the Manistee Areas Public Schools (MAPS) district is offering online and telephone therapy for students coping with trauma as a result of the outbreak as part of their CareConnect services. A school therapist is available to speak to students; teachers and staff are encouraged to reach out to students to help meet their mental health needs.
"Reaching out to them and having a conversation is important as it lets the teachers judge how the students are doing," Ron Stoneman, superintendent, MAPS told The Manistee News Advocate. "[Staff] are also letting the students know how they can get a hold of them if they need to have some support. The first obligation is making sure our kids are OK, and that they are keeping things together and how we might help."
The district therapist is available for students Monday through Friday.
Another initiative supported by Michigan philanthropy is the University of Michigan’s Transforming Research into Action to Improve the Lives of Students (TRAILS) program, which provides mental health resources to schools across the state. TRAILS has shared a comprehensive list of resources and strategies to support student mental health during the pandemic. It also includes self-care resources for student support professionals and caregivers.
“Today, more students, families and school staff than ever before are experiencing increased levels of stress, anxiety, and isolation and will need mental health support,” TRAILS shared on their website.
TRAILS is supported by several CMF members, including the Health Fund, the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation, the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, the Children’s Foundation, the Ethel & James Flinn Foundation and The Jewish Fund.
Want more?
Read about MAPS’s CareConnect resources.