Google Funds Classroom Mental Health Initiatives to Address Student Wellbeing Crisis

The ongoing mental health crisis among children in the United States has become increasingly evident within schools, where students spend much of their time. In response, Google’s philanthropic branch is taking direct action by funding mental health projects in high schools through a classroom crowdfunding platform.

On Monday, Google.org announced a major initiative, flash funding all mental health-related projects listed on DonorsChoose, an online charity where public school teachers can request supplies. With an infusion of $10 million and the involvement of actress Selena Gomez, Google aims to make mindfulness a central focus as the new school year begins.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated issues like childhood depression, anxiety, and behavioral problems, prompting school districts to seek help from teachers in addressing these challenges. However, experts have noted that while awareness of mental health issues has grown, it has not been matched by a significant increase in philanthropic funding for mental health initiatives.

Google.org had previously pledged support for nonprofits working on children’s mental health and online safety. Monday’s announcement boosts this commitment to $25 million, including the provision of $500 vouchers for eligible DonorsChoose campaigns in the near future.

This move by Google comes amid growing criticism and legal action against Google-owned YouTube and other social media platforms, which have been accused of contributing to the mental health crisis among children by incorporating addictive features into their designs.

Justin Steele, Director for Google.org in America, emphasized that this initiative is part of Google’s effort to lead a crucial conversation and contribute positively to addressing the mental health crisis. He pointed out that searches for “teen mental health” have doubled over the past four years, highlighting the rising concern.

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

Google.org’s contributions include $6 million to DonorsChoose. Additionally, the company announced donations totaling $1.5 million to the Jed Foundation, the Steve Fund, and the Child Mind Institute—organizations that focus on the emotional wellbeing of young adults, people of color, and children, respectively. These groups will develop 30-minute training sessions to help educators manage new mental health challenges, with teachers earning $200 DonorsChoose credits upon completing the course.

Selena Gomez’s Rare Impact Fund, which seeks to increase funding in this underfunded area, will receive $1.25 million. Gomez, who has been open about her own bipolar diagnosis, stressed the importance of having supportive adults in teenagers’ lives.

In a blog post on Monday, Gomez wrote, “As young people find their way through the world, it’s crucial that they get guidance in building healthy, positive and productive mental health habits. Few people are in a better position to help do this than teachers.”

The urgency to address behavioral issues in schools was underscored by a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which revealed that students are experiencing higher rates of bullying and school absences due to safety concerns compared to previous years.

Yes, there has been an uptick in funding for mental health initiatives, noted Mindful Philanthropy Executive Director Alyson Niemann, but she added that the financial support still falls short of meeting the elevated awareness and needs. One significant challenge, according to Niemann, is that donors are often uncertain about which solutions are effective. Nevertheless, school-based mental health support is one of the most promising strategies, as it is often the first place where students seek help and find trusted adults like teachers or coaches.

DonorsChoose CEO Alix Guerrier clarified that while teachers are not a replacement for mental health professionals, there has been a fourfold increase in the number of mental health-related requests from teachers on their platform over the last four years. These requests often include items like saucer chairs for a “calm corner” or meditative stuffed animals that aid in deep breathing exercises.

“There is no limit to teachers’ creativities,” Guerrier remarked.

Aileen Gendrano Adao, a high school English teacher in Los Angeles, has long prioritized mental health in her classroom. She begins her classes by asking students to ground themselves with three deep breaths and has decorated her classroom walls with posters that affirm students’ self-worth.

Adao appreciates the flexibility that DonorsChoose offers, allowing her to creatively engage with her students, especially when district funding falls short of meeting immediate needs. During the pandemic, when Asian Americans were facing racially motivated attacks, she used DonorsChoose to acquire graphic novels about Asian American identity for her students.

She hopes that this additional funding will inspire more educators to prioritize mental health in their classrooms.

“Schools are transforming in a way that’s needed and necessary to heal from post-pandemic chaos,” she said. “There’s an investment. People are seeing us and wanting us to be better and whole again.”

This comprehensive effort by Google.org and its partners reflects a broader recognition of the critical need to support the mental health of students. By providing resources and training for educators, they aim to create a more supportive and mindful educational environment for children facing unprecedented mental health challenges.