The Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) will provide training, materials, and resources for student leadership groups to implement a mental health awareness activity. Student groups selected to participate will develop and implement an activity designed to increase awareness about mental and emotional health, reduce stigma, and promote school and community resources. The activity will be focused on reaching a large portion of the student body.
Elementary school leadership classes and clubs are invited to submit an application to participate. All Orange County public, private, and charter schools are eligible to apply. Participating schools will be provided with materials, resources, training, and activity development support.
Participation Guidelines
- Involve a minimum of ten (10) students to serve as student leaders in the development and implementation of the Mental Health Awareness Activity.
- OCDE will provide a foundational mental health and/or Social-Emotional Learning workshop for student leaders prior to planning the activity.
- Each participating school will complete a minimum of one activity during the 2026-2027 school year, with the aim of reaching a large portion of the student population.
- Submit a brief report on the outcomes from each activity.
- The school counseling and/or administration team must be involved to provide guidance and follow-up support as needed.
- The projects must be completed by Friday, May 21, 2027.
OCDE Will Provide:
A workshop for peer leaders to provide foundational knowledge of mental health.
Ongoing support to help guide and develop the project using a project-based learning model.
Materials and resources to support the project, including t-shirts, promotional items with campaign messages (e.g. pens, journals, stickers), butcher paper, paint markers, etc.
Application
To complete a Mental Health Awareness Activity application for the 2026-2027 school year, click
here. The deadline to apply is Friday, October 2, 2026.
Check back for updates, or for more information, please contact Stephanie Loscko, Program Specialist, at sloscko@ocde.us or 714-966-4319.
