By Dr. Zainab Okolo, LCMFT, Senior Vice President of Policy, Advocacy, & Government Relations, The Jed Foundation 

The Jed Foundation (JED) was founded more than 25 years ago on the principle that we can prevent suicide for teens and young adults by helping K-12 districts, high schools, and colleges implement comprehensive approaches to supporting mental health and reducing risks for suicide. This work is not insular; we rely on our state and federal governments to ensure that mental health services are available to all young people, regardless of income. Like many of you, we are closely monitoring the new Congress and new administration’s proposals that may have a direct effect on the emotional, mental, and physical well-being of young constituencies. 

The House budget resolution passed last month mandates the Energy and Commerce Committee identify an astounding $880 billion in savings by cutting funding for various programs over the next decade. In contrast, the Senate budget resolution calls for $2 billion in cuts across the Senate Finance and Energy and Commerce committees. As a result, there is no doubt that Medicaid, which falls under the jurisdiction of those committees, faces significant threats. Yesterday, JED sent a letter to the committees’ leaders on behalf of The Jed Foundation to implore them to protect Medicaid, because it is a lifeline for millions of children, youth, and low-income families in need of mental health services ranging from prevention and awareness to diagnosis, treatment, and management. 

Medicaid is the nation’s single largest payer for mental health services, and it provides coverage for nearly half of all children in the United States. For millions of children and families, Medicaid upholds two essential principles: mental health is an integral part of health care and it is a fundamental right, not a luxury. If Congress dismantles the program or limits its reach through funding cuts, it will reverse much of the progress made to expand mental health access since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Specifically, many schools throughout the country established onsite mental health services for students on Medicaid thanks to the guidance and funding made available through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act in 2022. If federal funding to states for Medicaid is reduced, it will jeopardize the sustainability of onsite school services that depend on Medicaid reimbursement. 

At JED, we provide technical assistance to school districts and college campuses dedicated to preventing suicide and enhancing student well-being, because mental health is essential to success in any environment. Awareness and prevention training, however, are only part of the solution — access to screening and treatment for those who need it is equally crucial. As part of JED’s Comprehensive Approach to student well-being, we support schools in ensuring that students improve help-seeking behaviors and understand the resources and treatments available. For many students and families, that means accessing mental health treatment through Medicaid, which offers a crucial continuum of care through students’ most formative years. That access is vital for supporting both students’ emotional well-being and their ability to succeed academically.

Let’s not lose sight of our collective goal to help youth flourish and thrive. Medicaid is only one of several vital programs under scrutiny by Congress. We must continue to advocate for these common-sense initiatives that we know are wise investments and, above all, the right thing to do.

Related: A Future at Stake: Safeguarding Youth Mental Health

By John MacPhee

The well-being of our nation’s young people is a shared responsibility. Suicide and accidental drug overdose remain leading causes of death among Americans ages 12 to 24, and 20% of high school students reported seriously considering suicide in the past year. Data like that underscores the urgent need for effective, evidence-based mental health care.

Across the country — from small towns to urban centers — families, schools, and communities are worried about the well-being of young people and are working to ensure that they have the support and skills they need to thrive. Today’s youth are already managing an unprecedented set of challenges, from the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic to the pressures of economic instability and uncertainty. For many, these broader changes are compounded by concerns about:

• Their ability to access or afford health care and basic necessities
• Their safety, identity, and sense of belonging in their communities 
• The security of their families and the stability of the systems that support them 

As our country moves through a period of significant policy change and the sharp debates that come with it, The Jed Foundation (JED) remains committed to working with all who seek a better future for America’s youth. Major shifts in policy and governance bring both opportunities and uncertainties, and it will take time to fully understand their impact. What is clear, however, is that millions of young people and their families are overwhelmed, uncertain, and, in many cases, deeply afraid of what the future holds. As we navigate this evolving landscape, we must remember that behind our policy decisions are real people — youth, parents, neighbors — whose lives and well-being hang in the balance.

It is in the best interest of our nation, communities, and families to ensure that every young person has the support, stability, and resources they need to thrive, including access to mental health and suicide prevention services. Policymakers at all levels must take decisive action to:  

• Invest in strong families and communities by ensuring that young people, parents, schools, and organizations have the tools and resources to support mental health, including safeguarding Medicaid and other essential health programs 
• Foster resilience and life readiness by equipping young people with coping skills, emotional regulation strategies, and supportive environments that help them navigate challenges
• Ensure high-quality data and research at the local, state, and national levels so we can make informed, effective decisions and tailor mental health programs based on the best evidence 
• Sustain critical funding for mental health services, including crisis support such as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and the school- and community-based programs that play a crucial role in identifying and assisting youth in crisis 
• Advance evidence-based, tailored mental health and suicide prevention approaches, recognizing the varied experiences and needs of young people, their families, and their communities

For 25 years, JED has partnered with people in government, education, health, business, and communities to protect mental health and prevent suicide among teens and young adults. We know that when a community prioritizes youth mental health and purposefully takes multiple actions to create a culture of caring, it works. Schools that complete our JED Campus program, implementing a comprehensive approach, see significant improvements in student mental health: Students were 10% less likely to report suicidal ideation, 13% less likely to report suicide planning, and 25% less likely to report a suicide attempt. They also had improved average anxiety and depression scores and were more likely to stay in school and graduate. We’ve brought the same data-driven strategies to high schools, districts, and community organizations, ensuring that young people receive the support they need before crises emerge.

Every parent, teacher, coach, faith leader, and neighbor has a role to play. We must build strong support systems so no young person feels alone. We must have open, compassionate conversations that make it easier to ask for help. And we must continue pushing for solutions that ensure that every young person has access to the care they need, when they need it.

Suicide and substance misuse are preventable, and mental health support is essential. We all have a stake in ensuring that young people have the resources, care, and opportunities they need to thrive. By working together, we can build a future in which every young person feels safe, supported, and valued — because they deserve nothing less.

In today’s fast-paced and competitive academic environment, mental health has become a top concern for students worldwide. Chegg — a leader in educational technology — recognized the growing issue by providing young people with resources to support themselves through its third annual Global Student Mental Health Week from Feb. 24 to March 2. With the theme In It Together, the week served as a reminder that supporting student mental health is not just an individual journey, but also a collective effort that requires community action. 

The Jed Foundation (JED) was thrilled to partner with Chegg for Student Mental Health Week to host two in-person activations and organize an online resource hub featuring practical, actionable tips to help students prioritize their mental well-being. 

Data Shows Students Are Struggling With Their Mental Health

The need for initiatives such as Student Mental Health Week was confirmed by Chegg’s recent Global Student Survey, which polled more than 11,700 undergraduates across 15 countries. The findings reveal alarming rates of mental health challenges: 55% of respondents reported insufficient sleep, 44% experienced daily anxiety, and 43% suffered from academic burnout.

“Supporting student mental health isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s essential for empowering students to thrive academically, personally, and beyond the classroom,” says Nathan Schultz, Chegg’s President and CEO. 

JED Partners With Chegg to Support Student Well-Being

To bring Student Mental Health Week to life, Chegg partnered with leading nonprofits, higher education institutions, and influencers to create events and resources designed to spark meaningful conversations and action about mental health.

JED collaborated with Chegg to host a panel at Clemson University in South Carolina discussing social media and mental health, featuring experts including Dr. Marshall Anthony Jr., Chegg’s Director of Public Affairs and Policy, and Dr. Zainab Okolo, JED’s Senior Vice President of Policy, Advocacy, and Government Relations. Students also joined the panel as moderators and participants to ask and answer questions about how to manage your online identity, avoid social media burnout, and more. 

“This experience was truly invaluable,” says Clemson student Allison LoRusso, a participant on the panel and the founder and president of Think Strong, an organization that promotes mental health awareness through burnout prevention. “It was an honor to play a role in expanding mental and social health on Clemson’s campus alongside such an impactful group of people.”

JED also worked with Chegg to host a spoken-word event at Morehouse College School of Medicine in Atlanta, where Black male students opened up about their experiences navigating challenges and managing their mental health. Jessica Orenstein, JED’s Director of Programmatic Partnerships, emceed the event, in which four students shared their stories and audience members shared their personal experiences and tips for taking care of their mental health. 

“I hope attendees felt connected to all of the speakers to some extent — not in their uniquely individual experiences, but rather the feelings they exuded and the passion they expressed in caring for their mental health,” says Morehouse student Jaden Brown, a participant in the event. “I hope that we were able to spark inspiration, reduce stigma surrounding the vocalization of mental health concerns, and encourage others to be vulnerable enough to share their own stories. Hosting events like this one is extremely important because it opens up safe spaces where individuals can feel seen and heard when speaking about their mental health adversities, helping individuals overcome their internal challenges and encouraging them to do the same for others.”

Online Resources for Student Mental Health 

JED created an online space for students during the weeklong initiative. It offered a suite of curated resources, including guided meditations, yoga sequences, and other mindfulness exercises; conversation starters to better connect with others; journal prompts to focus on gratitude, personal growth, and resilience; videos from JED’s recent series INVISIBLE GAME and Mind Matters; and articles on a range of topics, from managing stress to beating loneliness. Check out some of the conversation starters and journaling prompts below.

Conversation Starters

• Can you think of a challenge that, in hindsight, you’re grateful for? How did it shape who you are today?
• What’s a small but meaningful habit that has made a big difference in your life?
• Who in your life has had a lasting impact on you, and have you ever told them how much they mean to you?

Journaling Prompts

• Reflect on a moment when someone showed you unexpected kindness. How did it make you feel and how can you express gratitude for it?
• When was the last time you felt truly at peace? What factors contributed to that moment, and how can you create more of it in your daily life?
• What is one quality about yourself that you like, and how does it help you navigate life?

Making Mental Health Conversations the Norm

Global Student Mental Health Week was about more than raising awareness — it also served as a moment for students, faculty, and supporters to come together, take action, and renew their commitment to prioritizing student well-being. 

Chegg and JED look forward to continuing their partnership and commitment to student mental health by collaborating on an event in Washington, D.C., in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month in May.

The loss of a student to suicide impacts every part of a campus community, especially families and those close to their loved one, including classmates, friends, and professional staff. For a college campus of 20,000 students, the stark reality is that an average of two to three lives may be lost to suicide each year. 

Though postvention is defined as an “organized response” in the aftermath of a suicide, it’s also considered to be a core feature of a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention.  In essence, postvention is prevention. That is why JED has developed robust postvention consulting practices, designed to guide schools through the healing process and fortify their support systems to reduce the risk of future loss. JED’s postvention work provides guidance and actionable planning in three core areas: grief support for the school community after a loss, addressing the most common mental health impairments after a suicide, and seeking to reduce the risk of further suicide loss.

Learn more about JED’s approach to postvention from Dr. Kurt Michael, JED’s Senior Clinical Director, who leads this important work. 

What happens after a school loses a student to suicide?
When a school calls us after losing a student, they’re understandably overwhelmed and terrified it may happen again. We’re there to help schools answer some of the toughest questions: How will they support their students? What will they say to parents? How will they help their community heal while reducing the risk of suicide more broadly? Our team provides guidance to administrators, residence life staff, faculty, and mental health providers to ensure everyone has the support they need, including help for helpers.

What makes JED’s approach effective?
Protecting youth mental health and preventing suicide takes more than responding to a loss — it takes a comprehensive approach like JED’s. It takes a culture of care in which students feel supported and suicide prevention becomes an expected part of their lives. That means teaching students the skills to better manage life’s ups and downs, creating school communities in which students feel connected to each other, showing staff how to spot when a student may be struggling, and making sure help is accessible when needed.

How long does JED stay involved?
We stay connected long after the immediate loss, helping schools evaluate and strengthen their mental health safety nets to protect their students in the long run. We ensure the proper supports are in place so each community can continue processing their grief, promoting help-seeking, and integrating postvention programming into their broader systems. 

Is there a moment that illustrates the importance of this work?
Just sitting with people who have experienced devastating loss. Sometimes the most powerful thing we do is show up, listen, and show up again. 

Learn more about JED’s postvention consulting services to help your school or campus community heal after a loss and strengthen mental health support systems.