Seneca Valley partnership aims to strengthen mental health support efforts
Seneca Valley School District and its students have initiated a range of efforts in recent years to address emotional well-being and mental health.
Now, the district is taking another step toward strengthening students’ mental health, announcing a partnership with a national nonprofit dedicated to protecting emotional health and preventing suicide among teens and young adults.
The three-year partnership between Seneca Valley and The Jed Foundation (JED) includes an initiative providing the district with expert guidance and ongoing technical assistance to “examine the district’s existing mental health and suicide-prevention efforts” and identify opportunities to strengthen support.
Seneca Valley will receive more than $48,000. The district is one of 20 school districts nationwide selected to participate in the initiative.
“Seneca Valley has made a significant commitment to supporting the mental health and well-being of our students and this partnership gives us an opportunity to take an even deeper look at how all of those efforts work together,” said Cassandra Doggrell, the district’s director of student services. “We are not starting from scratch. We have dedicated professionals, strong community partnerships and programs like the Hope Squad already making a difference for our students.
“JED will help us identify areas for improvement and develop a strategic plan to strengthen our system of support.”
The Hope Squad is a peer-to-peer mental wellness and suicide prevention program implemented in the district.
JED will work with the district to assess current resources, policies and practices; gather feedback from students, staff and school leaders; identify opportunities for improvement and develop and implement a strategic plan.
“We want every student to know they are not alone. That they have people in their corner. And that reaching out for help is a sign of strength,” Doggrell said. “This partnership is about being proactive, listening to our students and making sure our systems are working together to provide the right support at the right time.”
