National Education Leaders Launch Comprehensive Mental Health Initiative for School Districts
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The JED Foundation and AASA have opened enrollment for their September 2025 cohort of the District Mental Health Initiative, a two-year program helping school district leaders build comprehensive mental health systems to protect student well-being and prevent suicide. This initiative directly addresses the urgent mental health crisis, with 42% of high school students reporting persistent sadness and suicide remaining the second leading cause of death for youth ages 10-34.
Building on Proven Success
The District Mental Health Initiative builds on JED’s successful Campus program and follows a successful pilot phase at 15 school districts within 14 states. “As school leaders, we are responsible for ensuring the well-being of every student, both academically and emotionally,” said David R. Schuler, Executive Director of AASA, The School Superintendents Association. “Through this partnership with JED, we are equipping school leaders with the tools and strategies necessary to build safer, more supportive environments where students can thrive.” The program is grounded in JED’s Comprehensive Approach to Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention, an evidence-based framework that brings together recommended practices with field expertise. During the program, an expert-led team assesses each district’s needs and helps them develop and implement a customized strategic plan to enhance the school mental health system.
Dr. Tony Walker, JED’s Senior Vice President of Academic Programs, leads the initiative with extensive experience from his previous work at the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute in Texas, where he contributed to public policy discussions on school-linked mental health across the state’s 1,200 school districts and over 200 higher education institutions. “No two school districts are the same and the leaders of those educational systems play a critical role in supporting student mental health, an often overwhelming and monumental task,” said Dr. Tony Walker. The program addresses this challenge by providing expert support tailored to each district’s unique community context and needs.
Author Quote"
This collaborative approach represents a significant advancement in how we address systemic challenges in education, creating a professional learning community where superintendents can share strategies and resources rather than tackling the mental health crisis in isolation.
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Comprehensive Assessment and Support System
The initiative begins with JED’s comprehensive suite of assessments that analyze input from students, principals, staff, and other district leaders to identify current climate, needs, policies, programs, and practices surrounding student mental health. This data-driven approach ensures that strategic plans are based on actual community needs rather than generic solutions. Districts take part in the initiative as part of a cohort working on the same timeline, with intentional opportunities to collaborate and problem-solve together. This cohort model empowers senior leaders to learn from peers who share similar challenges and commitment to protecting student mental health.
Key Takeaways:
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42% of high school students: Report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, with rates rising significantly for female students from 36% in 2011 to 57% in 2021
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15 districts across 14 states: Successfully completed the pilot program, providing evidence-based framework and expert support for comprehensive mental health system transformation
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Two-year evidence-based program: Includes comprehensive assessments, customized strategic plans, and ongoing technical assistance from JED experts to enhance district mental health systems
National Significance and Future Impact
The initiative’s national scope and evidence-based approach position it to influence mental health policy and practice across American education. “AASA is devoted to providing high-quality public school education to all students. To elevate our mission, we have partnered with JED on this transformative mental health initiative,” said AASA Executive Director David R. Schuler. “By addressing mental health disparities in our school communities, we can help change the lives of countless students and, as a result, improve the future of our country’s public education system—and our entire nation.” The timing of the September 2025 cohort launch reflects the urgency of the mental health crisis in schools, with more than one in five students reporting having seriously considered suicide, and 75% of mental health challenges arising during adolescence and young adulthood.
Author Quote"
What makes this initiative particularly significant is its focus on systems-level change rather than piecemeal interventions, recognizing that all aspects of a district’s operations can contribute to student well-being.
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This district-level approach to mental health represents a fundamental shift from reactive crisis response to proactive system building that recognizes student well-being as essential to educational success. The collaboration between JED and AASA demonstrates how educational organizations can create scalable solutions that move beyond individual programs to comprehensive transformation. As more districts recognize that academic achievement and mental health are interconnected, initiatives like this provide the evidence-based framework and sustained support necessary for meaningful change. For more insights on educational innovation and systematic approaches to student well-being, explore our https://learningsuccess.ai/membership/all-access/”>All Access Program.
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