MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - A new initiative aims to support students in Dane County who may be facing anxiety, trauma, or crises as they begin the school year. Julia Stanley, the school and community outreach manager for Journey Mental Health, spoke with WMTV 15 about the organization's efforts to address students' mental health needs.
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Journey Mental Health collaborates with nine school districts in south central Wisconsin to conduct screenings for students. "We screen over 4,000 middle and high school students," Stanley stated. She noted that approximately 30% of these students show positive indications of depression, traumatic stress, or suicidal thoughts.
Stanley emphasized that these screenings are not formal diagnoses but serve as a proactive approach to assist students with their mental health. "We are really trying to catch kids where they are," she explained. The initiative aims to target students during school hours to overcome barriers such as transportation and insurance issues, providing them with skills that can benefit them throughout their lives.
To support this initiative, Journey Mental Health is launching a fundraiser called the Beyond the Backpack campaign, which includes a donation matching program of up to $10,000. Additional information can be found on their website.
For those in need of mental health support, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached by calling or texting 988, available 24/7 for free, confidential assistance from trained crisis counselors. They also offer chat services at 988lifeline.org.