Google and Selena Gomez Partner to Fund Teen Mental Health in the Classroom

THE unprecedented mental health crisis For children in the United States it often arises where they spend much of their days: school. With that in mind, Google’s philanthropic arm is directly funding high school wellness projects on a classroom crowdfunding platform.

Google.org on Monday funded all mental health-related listings on DonorsChoose, an online charity where members help purchase supplies requested by public school teachers. With $10 million in new gifts and help from actress Selena Gomez, the Silicon Valley giant hopes center mindfulness as an educational goal at the beginning of the academic calendar.

The districts have turned to teachers seeking psychological help after the coronavirus pandemic brought alarming levels of depression, anxiety and childhood fights. But experts say the increased attention hasn’t translated into more philanthropic money overall for mental health.

Google.org committed earlier this year to supporting nonprofit organizations that support children’s mental health and online safety. Monday’s announcement — which will also provide $500 vouchers to eligible DonorsChoose campaigns in the near future — increases that pledge to $25 million.

The move comes amid widespread criticism and lawsuits alleging that Google-owned YouTube and other social media sites fueled the child mental health crisis put deliberately designing addictive features.

Justin Steele, director of Google.org for the Americas, said his initiative highlights Google’s efforts to lead this “important conversation” and “be part of contributing to positive solutions.”

Your own internet browser data demonstrated the growing interest; Steele said searches for “teen mental health” have doubled in the last four years.

“Obviously, we want people to be able to enjoy all the amazing things technology has to offer,” Steele said. “But we also want them to be able to do it in a healthy and safe way.”

Google.org is donating a total of $6 million to DonorsChoose. The technology company also announced $1.5 million in donations to the Jed Foundation, Steve Fund and Child Mind Institute – groups focused on emotional well-being among young adults, people of color and children, respectively. The organizations will plan half-hour training sessions to help educators address new mental health challenges. Teachers can earn $200 in DonorsChoose credits upon course completion.

Gomez’s Rare Impact Fund, which seeks to direct more money to this “underfunded field,” is receiving $1.25 million.

The “Only Murders in the Building” star has been open about her own bipolar diagnosis. On a Monday blog postGomez said she knows firsthand that “caring adults” can make a big difference for teens.

“As young people move around the world, it is crucial that they receive guidance in building healthy, positive and productive mental health habits,” wrote Gomez. “Few people are better positioned to help do this than teachers.”

The need to address behavioral issues in secondary education was further emphasized by a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Students said they faced bullying and missed school due to safety concerns at higher rates than in previous years in the data released on August 6.

Yes, Mindful Philanthropy Executive Director Alyson Niemann acknowledged, the increased focus on mental health has brought minimal funding increases to nonprofits in this space. But she said the dollars don’t match the new levels of awareness.

A big barrier is that donors don’t know which solutions work, according to Niemann. Mental health support in schools is one of the most effective remedies, she said. This is where many students begin the path to treatment and find trusted adults in teachers or coaches.

DonorsChoose CEO Alix Guerrier emphasized that teachers are not substitutes for mental health professionals. But he said DonorsChoose has seen a fourfold increase over the past four years in the number of mental health submissions. Such requests include chairs with saucers for a “calm corner” and meditative stuffed animals that guide deep breathing.

“There is no limit to teachers’ creativity,” Guerrier said.

Mental health has always been a priority for Aileen Gendrano Adao in her Los Angeles classrooms. The high school English teacher said she asks students to calm down with three deep breaths at the beginning of class. Wall posters affirm students’ self-esteem.

She said DonorsChoose gives her the freedom to engage creatively with students — especially when districts don’t have the money to meet needs that arise in real time. As Asian Americans Faced Racially Motivated Attacks During the pandemic, she obtained comics about Asian American identity.

She hopes this additional funding will encourage educators to prioritize mental health.

“Schools are transforming in ways that are needed and necessary to heal the post-pandemic chaos,” she said. “There is an investment. People are seeing us and wanting us to be better and whole again.

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