oUR CURRENT WORK

In the spring of 2023 we are currently working in two focus areas: having mental health days as excused absences and developing peer support groups in our community.

Our Current Goals:
Mental Health Days/Excused Absences
  • Get a mental health excused absence bill sponsored by a legislator during the upcoming legislative session
  • Advocate for excused absence bill passage by 1) hosting at least one interest meeting with students/members of the community to gather their stories and insight on mental health excused absences, 2) meeting with additional legislators on relevant committees (TBD) to share our stories and build support, and 3) speaking in favor of the bill in Nashville by sharing our stories and quotes from the community members.
Peer Support Groups
  • Develop a plan for peer support implementation that includes: 1) developing the training for peer support group facilitators, 2) determining a location where we can implement a pilot group (ex. BRIDGES, public library, community center, school, etc.), and 3) creating a recruitment plan for facilitators and participants (ex. BB elective, interest group, social media, etc.). 

                               Can you support our current work? Reach out to us at mem@bridgesusa.org

wHAT WE'VE DONE

The Mental and Emotional Health Matters has developed, distributed, and analyzed a survey to gather information from young people in Memphis on their access to mental health resources. Our recommendations based on youth survey responses are:

  • Staffed reset rooms on every campus. Youth asked for a space in school where they can go when they are feeling overwhelmed or angry to allow themselves to "reset."
  • More access to mental health professionals. Youth asked for more licensed professionals in school and to allow school counselors time to focus on student mental health, in addition to academics.
  • Initiatives that foster a supportive school environment. Youth named the importance of a supportive environment where peers, teachers, and other staff are supportive of students' mental health needs.
  • More educational opportunities about mental health. Youth requested a mental health elective, similar to the required physical health course, where they could learn about mental illness and how to support their mental wellness and that of their peers.
  • Excused absences for mental health. Youth asked that mental health be treated in the same way as physical health; that school policy would allow for excused absences for mental health crises in the same way as physical illness.

​The full report is available below. We will continue to share this information with community partners, schools, mental health professionals, and policymakers to shape the mental health landscape in Memphis to better meet the needs of young people.

Youth Mental Health Report

MEET THE MEM COHORT

Abdullah Elahi
he/him
​CHANGEr
Courtnei Powell
she/her
​CHANGEr
Sumayya Halimah
she/her
​CHANGEr
​Caitlin Caswell
she/her
​Advisor
Kylon Higgins
he/him
​CHANGEr