Youth Leading The Way
School-Based Student-Led Wellness Programs
Students
are actively helping their peers and addressing youth mental health in school
districts throughout the state. School-based peer-led wellness programs are in
place in 300+ schools, reaching many of Wisconsin’s 421 school districts. Youth
leading these groups, along with their adult advisors, help to improve mental
health and wellness in their school communities, which often radiates out to
their broader community.
A
variety of programs are in place, including Hope Squad, NAMI Raise Your Voice Club, REDgen Schools, and Sources of Strength. Each map marker
represents a school or district participating in one of these peer-led wellness
programs.
Note: To the best of our knowledge, these are the schools participating in various peer-led mental health programs across the state. If we are missing your school's group, complete this quick form so we can showcase your school on our growing map! If you would like a copy of the list of schools, please get in touch (OCMH@wi.gov).
Want to learn more about how Wisconsin students are leading mental wellness efforts? Check out the Wisconsin Youth Wellness Champions on our Youth Leadership page!
|
Defining School Mental Health
School-Based Mental Health (SBMH) is a menu of supports for students. Schools offer a continuum of programs and services from universal supports for all students to individual services for kids with specific mental health conditions. Schools can teach coping skills and stress management; screen students for depression; offer therapeutic groups or individual counseling. The array of services varies from school to school. Most districts have mental health professionals on staff – school counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, school nurses and mental health navigators – who are trained to employ various strategies that address student well-being.
In addition, a growing number of schools also have peer-led mental wellness programs in place. Typically led by teens at the high school or middle school level, these wellness clubs work to increase school belonging, positive mental health, and supportive student communities while reducing suicidality, bullying, and isolation within the student population.
Because SBMH is dependent on fluctuating state and federal funding, it is a fluid process of trying to respond efficiently and effectively to the mental health needs of the student body.
School Mental Health Resource Highlights
Key Organizations
There are a variety of resources, organizations, and state agencies available to schools that are working to improve school mental health and address student wellness. Key resources are highlighted below, and key places to explore include:
Universal Screening
Universal Screening is a key opportunity for students to identify their own skills and strengths that they can use when facing challenges, and a best practice that can identify anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts in youth and then connect those students to resources.
Mental Health Literacy
Everyone has health and mental health; managing health is part of everyday life. At some point in their lives, every person will need to know how to access and use information and services to address a health or mental health concern. A person's ability to do this is impacted by their health literacy. DPI has provided information on understanding what mental health literacy means and resources to achieve mental health literacy, as well as communications resources and continuous improvement tools.
Classroom Lessons
In 2021, lessons for elementary, middle and high school students were released which focus on developing the skills that students need to maintain mental health and wellbeing and recognize and support others who may be struggling. There were created in partnership with OCMH, DPI, school staff, parents, and youth.
Classroom WISE Resource Modules
This series of six modules, part of the Classroom WISE, is a collection curated by the National Center for School Mental Health and the Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) Network. The modules cover topics including: creating safe and supportive classrooms, teaching mental health literacy, and more.
If you have difficulty accessing our materials, or using our website, please let us know by emailing OCMH@wi.gov. We take digital accessibility seriously and welcome the opportunity to remove any barriers in accessing content.