Groups work to address mental health in Michigan schools

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Corewell Health has seen more students struggling with their mental health and seeking help since the pandemic.

“There’s been a huge increase in depression and anxiety and thoughts of suicide in this population and across the country,” said Brandon Holmes, director of case management for Corewell Health.

Holmes said Greenville High School first started recognizing a greater need in 2019, even before COVID-19. Holmes helped come up with the idea to do virtual psychotherapy sessions with students there. They went online because it’s harder to hire clinicians in rural areas.

“It’s just like seeing a therapist in a traditional office, but we’re doing it over the computer like this,” Holmes told News 8 during a Zoom interview Thursday afternoon.

The program has since expanded to 21 West Michigan schools. During the 2023-2024 school year, a team of 14 trained clinicians treated more than 800 students dealing with depression, anxiety or suicidal thoughts.

Holmes says the results from surveys after treatment speak for themselves.

“We’re receiving an almost 50% reduction in depression and anxiety,” Holmes said. “That’s huge for these students so they can focus better in school, feel better about themselves, have more positive relationships.”

The social workers generally start meeting with students once a week for about an hour during the school day. They come up with a treatment plan to help students cope with their symptoms.

“In some respects, they feel more comfortable engaging virtually than having someone in the same room as them,” Holmes said.

It’s at no cost to the schools, usually billed to insurance. But if students don’t have insurance and can’t get it, the treatment is free.

Holmes said it’s made a “huge impact” in students’ lives.

“Being able to support these students and give them treatment early on is really beneficial for their overall health,” he said.

Corewell has plenty of help in the effort to support students struggling with their mental health. The Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan’s “Be Nice” program aims to empower students to bring mental health awareness and suicide prevention to their schools.

“You can’t do it on your own,” said Christy Buck, the executive director of Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan. “We could be in the circle of the education piece. Then we’ve got Corewell, they’re in the circle of actual treatment. We want to get people to that treatment.”

Be Nice is a four-step student-led action plan taught in schools across the state from elementary to high school. Students encourage others to recognize changes in someone’s behavior, like sadness, loneliness or anger. After that, they’re encouraged to talk with a student in need and help them seek assistance, like the Corewell Health program.

Buck said 120 schools take part in “Be Nice.” The schools are mostly in Michigan, but the program has also expanded to Texas. The group of students involved in the program push out the message to the rest of the student body through activities, posters and other means.

In one school, students organized a breakfast for brand new students arriving at the district. Another group gave out T-shirts to welcome new students. Other activities have included students talking about the action plan in classrooms and during the morning announcements.

Every coach in the state is also trained in the model through a partnership with the Michigan High School Athletic Association

It’s also about creating a culture of kindness and support.

“Be Nice is also that big macro picture of be nice,” Buck said. “Treating others with respect and dignity because ultimately, we know how we treat individuals has an effect on how they think, act, feel.”

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.