The mental health crisis among children in the U.S. is increasingly evident in the schools they attend daily. In response, Google.org is stepping up with significant financial support for high school mental health projects through DonorsChoose, a crowdfunding platform for educational supplies.
On Monday, Google.org announced it had funded all mental health-related projects on DonorsChoose, contributing $10 million. This move, backed by actress Selena Gomez, aims to emphasize mindfulness as a key educational focus for the upcoming school year.
In recent years, school districts have looked to teachers for mental health support following a rise in childhood depression, anxiety, and conflicts linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this increased focus, experts note that it has not led to a proportional increase in philanthropic funding for mental health.
Earlier this year, Google.org pledged to support nonprofits that work on children’s mental health and online safety. Monday’s announcement raises this commitment to $25 million, which will also include $500 vouchers for select DonorsChoose campaigns in the near future.
This initiative arrives amid criticism and lawsuits alleging that Google-owned YouTube and other social media platforms have exacerbated the mental health crisis among children with addictive features.
Justin Steele, Director of Google.org for the Americas, emphasized that the initiative is part of Google’s effort to contribute positively to the ongoing mental health discussion. Steele noted a significant rise in searches related to “teen mental health,” which have doubled over the past four years.
“We want people to benefit from technology while using it in a healthy and safe way,” Steele said.
Google.org’s total contribution to DonorsChoose amounts to $6 million. Additionally, the company is donating $1.5 million to the Jed Foundation, the Steve Fund, and the Child Mind Institute, organizations focused on mental health for young adults, people of color, and children, respectively. These funds will be used to create training sessions for educators, with $200 DonorsChoose credits awarded upon course completion.
Selena Gomez’s Rare Impact Fund, which seeks to address underfunded mental health initiatives, is receiving $1.25 million. Gomez, who has spoken openly about her bipolar disorder, highlighted the importance of guidance from caring adults for teenagers.
“Guidance from adults is crucial for helping young people build healthy mental health habits,” Gomez wrote in a blog post. “Teachers are in a great position to provide this support.”
A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention underscores the need for mental health support in schools, noting increased rates of bullying and absenteeism due to safety concerns.
While there is greater awareness of mental health issues, funding for related nonprofits remains limited. Alyson Niemann, Executive Director of Mindful Philanthropy, pointed out that donor uncertainty about effective solutions is a major barrier. School-based mental health support is particularly beneficial, offering students access to trusted adults and starting them on the path to treatment.
DonorsChoose CEO Alix Guerrier highlighted a fourfold increase in mental health-related project requests over the past four years. These requests include items like “calm corner” chairs and meditative stuffed animals.
“There is no limit to teachers’ creativity,” Guerrier said.
Aileen Gendrano Adao, a high school English teacher in Los Angeles, has long prioritized mental health in her classroom. She uses deep breathing exercises and affirming wall posters to support her students. With the additional funding from DonorsChoose, Adao hopes to continue innovating in her approach to mental health, particularly as schools recover from the pandemic’s effects.
“Schools are transforming in a way that’s needed and necessary,” Adao said. “People are seeing us and wanting us to be better and whole again.”
