The Jed Foundation and AASA Comprehensive Student Mental Health Pilot Program Featured on ABC News

In a recent ABC News feature, the Jed Foundation and AASA, The School Superintendents Association, were spotlighted for their District Comprehensive Approach (DCA) pilot program. The program assesses and addresses gaps in student mental health, equipping schools with customized strategies in 480 schools across 14 states.

"I'm so happy that JED and AASA have provided this opportunity to help us examine the mental health of our kids and determine what we should be doing instead of focusing on what we should have done."

Tony Walker, Senior Vice President of Academic Programs of the JED Foundation emphasized, "A lot of district leaders know they have mental health needs to attend to, but they don't know how to give it form and shape."

The program aims to protect youth mental health and prevent suicide, the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-34 according to the CDC, by empowering districts to develop comprehensive mental health strategies.

Laurens County, South Carolina, Superintendent Dr. Judy Penland added, "The 'what ifs' we might have considered are not questions you ever want to face. I'm so happy that JED and AASA have provided this opportunity to help us examine the mental health of our kids and determine what we should be doing instead of focusing on what we should have done."

Watch the full ABC News segment here to learn more about the program's impact.