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MMSD officials and students outline mental-health supports, urge more youth voice
Summary
District staff and four student leaders described Madison Metropolitan School District mental-health screening, school-based therapy and student-led outreach; students said relationships, clear communication and logistics shape whether young people use supports.
Madison Metropolitan School District staff and student leaders reviewed the district's mental-health work March 3, highlighting universal screening, school-based therapists and student-led outreach while urging additional youth-led engagement and clearer communication about services.
The update, presented to the Instructional Work Group, emphasized system-level screening and referral pathways as well as examples of how student voice is being used to shape supports. Dr. Kristen Getchow, director of mental health and well-being, told the group the district uses a continuum approach to mental health and focuses on "mindset, people, [and] programs" to build reliable school supports.
Why it matters: Board members pressed staff on how district systems translate into support for students who report anxiety, depression or attendance challenges. Students and staff said bringing students into the design and implementation of outreach and supports makes uptake more likely and can reduce stigma.
District data and programs Dr. Getchow said the district draws on the Dane County Youth Assessment every three years; this cycle included responses from "over 6,000 Madison…
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