In response to growing concerns about the mental health crisis among children in the U.S., Google.org, the philanthropic arm of Google, has announced a substantial investment in high school mental health initiatives. On Monday, Google.org funded all mental health-related projects listed on DonorsChoose, a crowdfunding platform where public school teachers can request supplies. This initiative, supported by a $10 million donation and the involvement of actress Selena Gomez, aims to prioritize mindfulness and mental health in education as the new school year begins.
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This funding is part of Google.org’s broader commitment to children’s mental health and online safety, with their overall contributions now totaling $25 million. The initiative is a response to the rising levels of depression, anxiety, and behavioral issues among children, which have been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the increasing need for psychological support in schools, experts note that philanthropic funding for mental health has lagged behind.
Justin Steele, Director for the Americas at Google.org, emphasized Google’s commitment to addressing these challenges, describing the initiative as “one part of contributing to positive solutions.” He underscored the urgency of the situation, pointing out that searches for “teen mental health” have doubled in the past four years. Steele noted, “We want people to be able to take advantage of all the amazing things technology has to offer, but we also want them to do it in a healthy and safe way.”
Additionally, the initiative includes $500 vouchers for eligible DonorsChoose campaigns in the near future, further bolstering mental health resources in classrooms. This comes as Google faces criticism and legal scrutiny over its subsidiary, YouTube, and its role in contributing to the mental health crisis among children through addictive design features.
