The for children in the United States often surfaces where they spend much of their days: school. With that in mind, Google鈥檚 philanthropic arm is directly financing high school wellbeing projects on a classroom crowdfunding platform.
Google.org on Monday flash funded all mental health-related listings on DonorsChoose, an online charity where members help purchase supplies requested by public school teachers. With $10 million in new gifts and the help of actress Selena Gomez, the Silicon Valley giant hopes to at the start of the academic calendar.
Districts have for psychological help after the coronavirus pandemic brought alarming levels of childhood depression, anxiety and fights. But experts say that increased attention has not translated to more philanthropic money overall toward mental health.
Google.org committed earlier this year to back nonprofits that support kids鈥� mental health and online safety. Monday鈥檚 announcement 鈥� which will also provide $500 vouchers for eligible DonorsChoose campaigns in the near future 鈥� ups that pledge to $25 million.
The move comes amid widespread criticism and lawsuits claiming Google-owned YouTube and other social media sites have by .
Justin Steele, Google.org鈥檚 Director for the America, said its initiative highlights Google鈥檚 efforts to lead this 鈥渋mportant conversation鈥� and 鈥渂e one part of contributing to positive solutions.鈥�
Its internet browser鈥檚 own data has showcased the rising interest; Steele said searches for 鈥渢een mental health鈥� doubled over the last four years.
鈥淥bviously, we want people to be able to take advantage of all the amazing things technology has to offer,鈥� Steele said. 鈥淏ut we also want them to be able to do it in a healthy and safe way.鈥�
Google.org is giving $6 million overall to DonorsChoose. The technology company also announced $1.5 million in donations to the Jed Foundation, the Steve Fund and Child Mind Institute 鈥� groups focused on emotional wellbeing among young adults, people of color and children, respectively. The organizations will design half-hour training sessions to help educators navigate new mental health challenges. Teachers can earn $200 DonorsChoose credits upon course completion.
Gomez鈥檚 Rare Impact Fund, which seeks to drive more money into this 鈥渦nderfunded field,鈥� is receiving $1.25 million.
The 鈥淥nly Murders in the Building鈥� star has been vocal about her own bipolar diagnosis. In a Monday , Gomez said she knows firsthand that 鈥渃aring adults鈥� can make a big difference for teenagers.
鈥淎s young people find their way through the world, it鈥檚 crucial that they get guidance in building healthy, positive and productive mental health habits,鈥� Gomez wrote. 鈥淔ew people are in a better position to help do this than teachers.鈥�
The need to address behavioral issues in high school was further emphasized by a recent report from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Students said they faced bullying and missed school due to safety concerns at higher rates than previous years in data .
Yes, Mindful Philanthropy Executive Director Alyson Niemann acknowledged, the greater focus on mental health has brought minimal funding boosts for nonprofits in this space. But she said the dollars don鈥檛 match the new levels of awareness.
One major barrier is that donors don鈥檛 know which solutions work, according to Niemann. School-based mental health support is one of the most effective remedies, she said. That鈥檚 where many students begin the path to treatment and find trusted adults in teachers or coaches.
DonorsChoose CEO Alix Guerrier emphasized that teachers are not substitutes for mental health professionals. But he said DonorsChoose has seen a fourfold increase over the past four years in the number of mental health submissions. Such requests include saucer chairs for a 鈥渃alm corner鈥� and meditative stuffed animals that guide deep breathing.
鈥淭here is no limit to teachers鈥� creativities," Guerrier said.
Mental health has long been a priority for Aileen Gendrano Adao in her Los Angeles classrooms. The high school English teacher said she asks students to ground themselves with three deep breaths at the start of class. Wall posters affirm students鈥� self-worth.
She said DonorsChoose gives her the freedom to creatively engage with students 鈥� especially when districts lack the money to meet needs that emerge in real time. As during the pandemic, she obtained graphic novels about Asian American identity.
She hopes this additional funding encourages educators to prioritize mental health.
鈥淪chools are transforming in a way that鈥檚 needed and necessary to heal from post-pandemic chaos,鈥� she said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 an investment. People are seeing us and wanting us to be better and whole again.
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Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the AP鈥檚 collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of AP鈥檚 philanthropy coverage, visit .
James Pollard, The Associated Press
