The Georgia Health Policy Center is proud to release its third in a series of Stories of Impact.
Given the number of hours students attend school, schools are a critical place to support youth mental health. The behavioral health workforce development team at the Georgia Health Policy Center (GHPC) provide the Youth and Teen Mental Health First Aid and Sources of Strength trainings to build a healthier school environment, help school staff identify students at risk for behavioral health challenges, and increase student connectedness to adults and the school community.
Nationally certified GHPC trainers worked with middle school staff and students attending Lee Roy Myers Middle School, a Title 1, inner-city school in east Savannah, Ga., to improve school culture, with the ultimate goal of preventing bullying, suicide, and school violence.
“The [training] session allowed me to really see what my kids thought about our school. I need to know what they like and don’t like, and what they see and what they don’t see, so that we can do those needed things to align to create a better school climate and culture,” said Gabrielle Brundidge, a school counselor at Lee Roy Myers Middle School. “It was an eyeopener, and the trainers were personable and made it fun for all of us. This was the first training we have had where we did not lose the interest of a single student, and afterward we had other students asking when they could participate.”
GHPC has directly impacted the lives of people in local communities across the country and the globe. Through its research, evaluations, policy analysis, technical assistance, convenings, and trainings the center has lived its mission to advance health and well-being in thousands of local communities. GHPC’s Stories of Impact series highlights the scope and impact of the center’s work, the amazing partners we work with, and the people who are touched by the work of our dedicated staff.
Read the full story of impact here.