The unprecedented mental health crisis for children in the United States often surfaces where they spend much of their days: school. With that in mind, Google’s philanthropic arm funds high school well-being projects on a classroom crowdfunding platform.
On Monday, Google.org 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 the help of actress Selena Gomez, the Silicon Valley giant hopes to center mindfulness as an educational goal at the start of the academic calendar.
Districts have turned to teachers for psychological help after the coronavirus pandemic brought alarming levels of childhood depression, anxiety and fights. However, experts say increased attention has not translated to more philanthropic money toward mental health overall.
Google.org committed earlier this year to backing nonprofits that support kids’ mental health and online safety. Monday’s announcement—which will also provide $500 vouchers for eligible DonorsChoose campaigns in the near future — ups that pledge to $25 million.
The move comes amid widespread criticism and lawsuits claiming Google-owned YouTube and other social media sites have fueled the childhood mental health crisis by deliberately designing addictive features.
Justin Steele, Google.org’s director for America, said the initiative highlights Google’s efforts to lead this “important conversation” and “contribute to positive solutions.”
Its internet browser’s data has showcased the rising interest; Steele said searches for “teen mental health” doubled over the last four years.
“We want people to be able to take advantage of 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 giving $6 million overall to DonorsChoose. The technology company also announced $1.5 million in donations to the Jed Foundation, the Steve Fund and Child Mind Institute — groups focused on emotional well-being among young adults, people of color and children, respectively. The organizations will design half-hour training sessions to help educators navigate new mental health challenges. Teachers can earn $200 DonorsChoose credits upon course completion.
Gomez’s Rare Impact Fund, which seeks to drive more money into this “underfunded field,” receives $1.25 million.
The “Only Murders in the Building” star has been vocal about her bipolar diagnosis. In a Monday blog post, Gomez said she knows firsthand that “caring adults” can make a big difference for teenagers.
“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,” Gomez wrote. “Few people are better positioned to help do this than teachers.”
A recent report from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention further emphasized the need to address behavioral issues in high school. Students said they faced bullying and missed school due to safety concerns at higher rates than in previous years in data released on August 6.
Yes, Mindful Philanthropy Executive Director Alyson Niemann acknowledged the greater focus on mental health has brought minimal funding boosts for nonprofits in this space. But she said the dollars don’t match the new levels of awareness.
According to Niemann, one major barrier is that donors don’t know which solutions work. School-based mental health support is one of the most effective remedies, she said. Many students begin the path to treatment there 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 in the number of mental health submissions over the past four years. Such requests include saucer chairs for a “calm corner” and meditative stuffed animals that guide deep breathing.
“There is no limit to teachers’ creativities,” Guerrier said.
Mental health has long been a priority for Aileen Gendrano Adao in her Los Angeles classrooms. The high school English teacher said she asks students to ground themselves with three deep breaths at the start of class. Wall posters affirm students’ self-worth.
She said DonorsChoose gives her the freedom to creatively engage with students — especially when districts lack the money to meet needs that emerge in real-time. As Asian Americans faced racially motivated attacks during the pandemic, she obtained graphic novels about Asian American identity.
She hopes this additional funding encourages educators to prioritize mental health.
“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.
