Problem: The mental health crisis among underserved youth is only getting worse with both schools lacking sufficient mental health programs and non-profits remaining siloed in their response to this challenge.
Solution: In response we supported Health Information Project (“HIP”) in its planning, and now implementation of its program in selected New York City public high schools. For over fourteen years, HIP has operated in every public school in Miami-Dade and Broward County, Florida – it trains high school students (11th and 12th graders) to teach health education classes during the academic school day to all 9th graders at their school. The upper classmen serve as peer mentors, with clear and concise curriculum implemented with the help of a teacher champion on hot-topic health issues including depression, abuse, bullying, anxiety, suicide, grief, alcohol/drugs, vaping, eating disorders and stress. HIP has a 100% school retention rate in its Miami program and has already expanded to Arkansas with the help of the Clinton Foundation.
Health Information Project | Targeted Problem Solving | Focus Areas
Health Information Project (“HIP”)’s New York City Program Director, Bethany Schaid