Students urge more youth-led outreach as MMSD mental-health teams cite steady screening and targeted supports

Four Madison Metropolitan School District students and district mental-health leaders on March 3 described screening results, school-based services and student-led outreach meant to improve access to counseling and reduce stigma.

The student presenters — Lena Cox and Lily Shapiro, co-chairs of the Student Senate mental-health subcommittee, and students Megan (student board representative) and Cara (Capital High) — summarized youth interviews and a student newsletter and asked the district to expand youth-led interviews, peer outreach and a planned mental-health fair.

The presentation matters because the district is using county- and school-level screening to guide which services to expand and how to reduce barriers. The district reported data from the Dane County Youth Assessment and universal social-emotional screening, and students described why they do or do not use available supports.

“Mental health as a continuum,” said Dr. Kristen Getchow, director of mental health and well‑being, explaining the district’s framing of supports from universal skill-building to targeted interventions.…