Amid a growing mental health crisis among U.S. children, Google.org is stepping up to support high school wellbeing through classroom crowdfunding. On Monday, the philanthropic arm of Google announced a $10 million initiative to fund mental health projects listed on DonorsChoose, a platform that allows teachers to seek donations for classroom needs.
This effort, backed by actress Selena Gomez, aims to promote mindfulness and emotional support in schools. Google.org’s contribution, combined with Gomez’s Rare Impact Fund, boosts their commitment to $25 million. The initiative also includes $500 vouchers for future DonorsChoose campaigns and a total of $6 million in donations to the platform.
Google.org’s push to address mental health comes amid criticism that Google-owned YouTube and other social media sites contribute to the crisis with addictive features. Justin Steele, Director for Google.org in the Americas, emphasized that the initiative is part of a broader effort to lead positive change and address rising searches for “teen mental health,” which have doubled in recent years.
In addition to DonorsChoose, Google.org is donating $1.5 million to the Jed Foundation, the Steve Fund, and the Child Mind Institute to provide training for educators on mental health challenges. Teachers who complete these sessions will receive $200 credits for DonorsChoose.
Selena Gomez, who has been open about her own mental health struggles, is directing $1.25 million from her Rare Impact Fund towards this cause. Gomez highlighted the crucial role of teachers in supporting students’ mental health.
A recent CDC report underscores the need for better mental health support in schools, revealing increased bullying and safety concerns among students. Alyson Niemann of Mindful Philanthropy noted that while awareness of mental health issues has grown, funding for related nonprofits has not kept pace.
DonorsChoose CEO Alix Guerrier pointed out that although teachers are not substitutes for mental health professionals, the platform has seen a significant rise in mental health-related requests. Examples include items for creating calm spaces and tools for mindfulness.
In Los Angeles, high school teacher Aileen Gendrano Adao uses DonorsChoose to support her students’ mental health needs, from relaxation techniques to culturally relevant materials. She hopes that this new funding will encourage more educators to focus on mental health.
The Associated Press coverage of this initiative is supported by The Conversation US and Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP maintains editorial independence in its reporting.
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