In order to address the student mental health needs highlighted above, Our Turn Georgia presents the Student Mental Health Community Board. The Student Mental Health Community Board provides a platform for students to advocate for their mental well-being, fostering a sense of empowerment and community involvement. It offers a channel for students to voice their concerns, propose initiatives, and collaborate with the Atlanta Public School Board to implement effective mental health programs and resources tailored to their needs. Shifting the power solely from administrators/APS board members to collaboration among students AND administrators/APS board members highlights the importance of developing interventions that are for students by students. This channel of communication fosters leadership within students and provides a system of checks for the Atlanta School board. Sign up now to get involved!
1. Mental Health | Fully support & invest in the mental health of young people in Atlanta.
Problem:
About 23% of high school students (9th-12th grade) note often/always experiencing stress and state that they do not have an outlet or adult voice to go to in times of crisis.
Read More +
- Expand access to virtual and in person mental health services.
- Execute informational campaigns to educate and destigmatize mental health services amongst young people.
- In-school initiatives & education to evaluate and change the mental impact of social media on students’ mental health.
Pathways & Solutions:
2. School Safety & Campus Climate | Create school environments where students feel safe and invest in safety solutions that don’t increase policing & punishment.
Problem:
Police and punitive measures on campuses are not lowering rates of violence across Atlanta, as students in Atlanta experience violence at very high rates. Metal detectors and other outcomes of a culture of policing reduce a sense of safety for students.
Read More +
- Increase the student voice and input into disciplinary standards within APS Schools, focusing on restorative and community based practices.
Pathways & Solutions:
3. Historically Accurate and Culturally Relevant Curriculum | Protect & grow historically accurate and culturally relevant curriculum for all students across Atlanta.
Problem:
Threats to culturally inclusive curriculum in Georgia are rampant as book bans across the state and the Professional Standards Committee removed DEI requirements from educator training. In order to protect and grow Atlanta students’ curriculum, proactive and inclusive policy must be passed.
- Only 27% of students indicated that they often share information about their interests or cultural background to inform what is being taught in classes.
- Only 40% of teachers and staff reported that professional development opportunities help them explore new ways to promote equity in their practices.
Read More +
- A pledge by the APS School Board and the new superintendent to make sure that all history teaching is culturally accurate and inclusive.
- Training for teachers and staff on how to create culturally responsive curriculum and classroom activity.
Pathways & Solutions:
4. Invest in the Whole Student | Invest in wrap-around services for students and families facing economic instability and hardship.
Problem:
68.9% of students in Atlanta Public Schools are on free & reduced lunch, a key indicator of economic hardship, putting their overall well being and success at risk. Lack of wrap around services for students facing financial instability and housing insecurity perpetuates this harm in and out of school.
Read More +
- Expanding wrap around and direct services to students experiencing hardship.
- Specific policies and resources to support students who need to work while in school.
Pathways & Solutions:
5. College and Career Pathways | Create and resource curriculum and training that support students in succeeding post-high school graduation.
Problem:
Students do not feel prepared for postgraduate life or success, whether that is a 4-year university or other pathway options.
Read More +
- Evaluate and fill any gaps in APS college & career readiness.
- Teach students about a variety of options post-high school graduation, and support students in finding and achieving success in those pathways.
- Teach life skills to students to help them thrive beyond the classroom, including financial literacy, college financial aid, comprehensive sex education, tax information, job training, and more.
Pathways & Solutions: