Southeastern Regional Receives $4,000 Grant to Support Student Mental Health
Superintendent Holly McClanan and Principal Christina Guarini are pleased to announce that Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School has been awarded a grant to support student mental health.
The Jed Foundation recently awarded Southeastern a new $4,000 grant to support the expansion of future initiatives surrounding mental health at the high school during the 2024-25 school year.
Southeastern has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to supporting student mental health through its partnership with KyleCares and The Jed Foundation (JED). The school has implemented key initiatives such as Signs of Suicide training for students and staff and printing the 988 national suicide and crisis lifeline number on student IDs.
Southeastern has contracted with Care Solace, an organization that navigates the mental health care system to find available providers matched to specific needs to provide students and staff access to licensed counselors.
The school has hired an extra school psychologist and guidance counselor and partnered with an independent adjustment counselor to reduce caseloads. They have also updated their crisis plan and mental health evaluation procedures, ensuring they are well-prepared to assist students in need.
The school has 54 students already signed up for the current school year's Active Minds chapter. These student-led, school-based groups lead conversation, culture change and advocacy throughout their communities.
Southeastern's leadership team is preparing to integrate social-emotional learning and mental health goals into a district-wide strategic plan.
"We are incredibly proud of the strides Southeastern Regional has made to prioritize student mental health," said Southeastern Director of Guidance Lois Miller, who has led the school's partnership with JED. "Through our partnerships with organizations like KyleCares and The Jed Foundation, we have implemented vital initiatives, including Signs of Suicide training and improved access to mental health resources. This $4,000 grant will further empower us to enhance our support systems and foster a safe, nurturing environment for all our students."
About The Jed Foundation
The Jed Foundation (JED) is a leading nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for the nation’s teens and young adults. JED’s signature programs — JED High School and JED Campus — have helped more than 500 high schools, colleges and universities nationwide create a safety net for students by improving mental health and lowering suicide risk. Twenty-six Massachusetts high schools are currently part of the JED High School program. JED partners with these high schools to assess community needs, develop a customized strategic plan to build on existing strengths and implement tools, strategies and techniques that lead to measurable improvements in student mental health and a more connected community.
About the KyleCares Foundation
The KyleCares Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting open and honest communication about the mental health challenges teens and young adults face in today’s society. Its goal is to financially assist high schools and colleges with implementing mental health awareness and suicide prevention programs to better support their students
Cody Shepherd, John Guilfoil Public Relations