JED Develops Training Courses With Support From Google.org and DonorsChoose and Shares Funding Opportunities

As educators prepare lesson plans and set up their classrooms, we know they’re also thinking about how to care for their students’ well-being throughout the year. To help, The Jed Foundation (JED), with support from Google.org and other partners, is providing resources high school teachers need to support their students’ mental health — including training courses and information about funding opportunities. 

To kick off its $10 million Google Teen Mental Health Initiative, Google.org has fully funded all live DonorsChoose projects posted by August 12 requesting mental health resources for high school students. They’re also donating $500 to eligible high school mental health projects posted on or after that date until December 31, 2024. 

As part of the initiative, Google.org has supported JED, along with the Child Mind Institute and The Steve Fund to develop nine virtual mental health training courses. High school teachers who complete one of the training courses will be eligible for a $200 DonorsChoose gift code until December 31, 2024.

“As a former educator, I understand the vital role teachers play in supporting their students,” says Renia McCauley, the Director of Learning and Development at JED. “The courses we developed offer practical tools and resources that teachers can immediately apply. We’re excited for teachers to explore these courses, expand their toolboxes, and receive funding to bring their projects to life.”  

JED’s courses include: 

• Identifying and Supporting Students in Distress: Learn to identify warning signs of distress in students and provide a pathway to mental health resources and support.
• Creating an Inclusive Community of Care: Learn tips for building an inclusive community of care within your classroom — a supportive and inclusive environment where students, including those from historically marginalized groups, feel valued, respected, and connected.
• Helping Students Develop Healthy Social Media Practices: Explore how social media can impact the teenage brain, the mental health risks and benefits of social media, and how to empower your students to have a positive online experience.

These research-backed training courses offer actionable tips and exercises educators can use in their own lives and classrooms, and include engaging video content hosted by Kiana Davis, JED’s Senior Manager of Educational Programming. Other courses developed through the partnership cover topics such as: 

• Co-Regulation: Supporting Self and Students in Tense Situations
• Creating Safe Spaces to Discuss Mental Health
• Self Care: Caring for the Caregiver, Tackling Burnout
• Creating Trauma Sensitive Classrooms: Healing-Centered Engagement

“Teachers support so much more than student academic growth — they are a key part of a student’s community of care, helping them feel valued, respected, and connected,” says Melinda Evans, a Senior Instructional Designer and Developer at JED. “A teacher may be the first adult to notice a student experiencing mental health challenges and can help connect them to key resources.”

Educators can take one (or more!) of the training courses mentioned above by visiting https://www.donorschoose.org/googlementalhealthtraining.