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Youth Mental Health

The Youth Mental Health Series, proudly sponsored by Wedgwood Christian Services, focuses on students’ mental health, the sources of their distress, and how schools and communities can help address their needs.

High-schoolers talk mental health with education leaders, legislators

Multi Districts Erin Albanese

What can schools do to support student mental health and make connections? Students shared their thoughts on how and why it’s so important to them.

Counselor offers ‘next-level listening skills’ and a punching bag

Caledonia Alexis Stark

West Michigan Counselor of the Year Hilaski serves as a fierce advocate for her students at Caledonia High School.

Peer listeners, other mental health supports, key to school safety

Caledonia Riley Kelley

Districts’ ever-expanding approach to student mental health includes peer groups, counseling services, added curriculum and more.

District invests in web of support for students’ health, well-being

Kentwood Erin Albanese

Nurses, health aides, social-emotional learning coaches and community partners are working together to meet students’ needs.

‘Creating a feeling of compassion & care’

Kenowa Hills Alexis Stark

Kenowa Hills continues efforts to support mental health for students of all ages, featuring a therapy dog who is such a good listener. Yes he is!

Restorative circles create safe space at the top of the day

Kenowa Hills Alexis Stark

Restorative morning circles in Margaret Sicilian’s classroom at Central Elementary lift barriers and open the possibility for connection, collaboration and mutual understanding.

Students tackle youth mental health crisis with peers

Youth Mental Health Allison Poosawtsee

As Michigan schools strategize to provide mental health support for students, these high schoolers are taking action on their own...

Amid youth mental health crisis, districts invest in new programs

Youth Mental Health Allison Poosawtsee

Youth are in crisis when it comes to mental health. What are Kent County schools doing to address the concerns that students bring into the classroom?

What do you like best about school?

All Districts Erin Albanese

In this final installment of our student roundtable, the high school panelists share what they enjoy about school, and what makes them feel connected...

How safe do you feel in your school?

All Districts Charles Honey

Our student panelists talk about the toll school shootings take on their sense of safety, and what needs to be done to curb the plague of gun violence in schools...

How much of a problem is social media, and how do we fix it?

All Districts Charles Honey

Our student panelists say TikTok, Instagram and other social media are breeding insecurity and rewiring their brains in unhealthy ways...

What would you like adults to know about what your life is like?

All Districts Charles Honey

Our student panelists unload about the pressures of high school life, getting those good grades and living up to their families’ expectations...

How big an issue is mental health at your school?

All Districts Erin Albanese

High school panelists share what they think are the strengths of and challenges to finding support...

What is it like to be a high school student today?

Student Voices Erin Albanese

What’s life like for a high school student in 2023? In a six-part series, 10 students from all corners of Kent County talk about their pressures, stressors and happy places...

Film class ‘teaching us how to be whole’

Rockford Allison Poosawtsee

Rockford High film students put mental health in the spotlight in most every project they create...

District buildings promote mental health awareness

Kenowa Hills Alexis Stark

Paint Kenowa Green has become a semester-long effort...

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School News Network reports on the 20 public school districts in Kent ISD, which enroll more than 102,000 students. Founded in 2013 as an initiative of Kent ISD, we are supported by local districts and community sponsors, and powered by an experienced team of reporters, editors and multimedia journalists. We specialize in covering classroom teaching and learning, analyzing the many issues facing students and highlighting the education magic that happens each day in our public schools.

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Retired teachers return as mentors

Friend, athlete, advocate uses abilities to help others

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Senior makes artistic mark on snowplow

Initiative aims to double enrollment in career & technical education by 2030

Fourth-grade Choristers come together in song

High-schoolers share thoughts on school safety, engagement & more

Student broadcaster pushes for positive coverage in advisory role

On podcast, teen shares about major loss, forgiveness & gratitude

Poet pens work celebrating school library’s achievement

Youth Mental Health

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