Leveraging School-University Partnerships to Support Mental Health and Well-being

Abstract

Young people experience high rates of mental health challenges, which have been exacerbated by the pandemic, particularly for those from underserved communities and communities of color. The Mindful Mentors program demonstrated that delivery of a mindfulness-based curriculum provided by university students to school-aged children is feasible and mutually beneficial. Benefits for university student mentors included team building, increased self-awareness, and developing effective skills for dealing with stress. The pilot program highlighted specific challenges and areas for improvement related to the delivery of mindfulness curriculum to younger children. Recommendations for future implementation include the need for curriculum tailored for specific grade levels and ensuring buy-in and engagement from teachers.