The Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) will provide training, materials, and resources for student leadership groups to implement a multifaceted mental health awareness campaign. Using a project-based learning model, student groups will develop and implement activities designed to increase awareness about suicide prevention, reduce mental health stigma, and promote school and community resources. The activities will be designed in partnership with school staff and target students, staff, and parents.
Middle and high school leadership classes and clubs are invited to implement a multifaceted peer leadership campaign focused on raising awareness about suicide prevention, reducing mental health stigma, and promoting school and community resources. Campaign activities will target students, staff and parents. All Orange County public, private, and charter schools are eligible to apply. Participating schools will be provided with materials and resources, training, activity development support, and a $1,200 advisor incentive.
Campaign Requirements
- One advisor must be involved, and a minimum of 10 students must serve as peer leaders and participate in the development and implementation of the campaign. Peer leaders will receive training and attend a facilitated discussion with OCDE staff.
Submit a campaign plan and material list to OCDE by November 10, 2023.
The campaign must include the following activities:.
Student Outreach Activity: Develop and disseminate mental health information to the student body. The activity should aim to raise awareness of mental health issues, reduce mental health sigma, and promote school and community resources.
Schoolwide Awareness Week Activity: Host a week-long event to promote mental health resources and self-help strategies. This should include a schoolwide media blitz (e.g. posters, morning announcements, social media) and interactive activities with the student body.
Parent Outreach Activity: Conduct one parent outreach activity to raise awareness of mental health issues affecting youth and how families can support their children. The activity should include youth perspective and promote school and community resources.
Staff Outreach Activity: Conduct one staff outreach activity to raise awareness of mental health issues affecting youth and how school staff can support students. The activity should include youth perspective and promote school and community resources.
The school counseling and/or administration team must be involved to provide guidance and follow-up support as needed. An email or letter of support from a school counselor or a school/district mental health specialist is required with the application.
The campaign must be completed by May 17, 2024.
School Administration should support the campaign evaluation, which will include surveying peer leaders and a sample of students, parents/caregivers, and staff who participated in the activities.
OCDE Will Provide:
Ongoing support to help guide and develop the campaign using a Project-Based Learning model.
Materials and resources to support the campaign, including t-shirts, promotional items with campaign messages (e.g. pens, journals, stickers), refreshments, posters and markers.
Advisor incentive of up to $1,200 when all campaign and reporting requirements are met (a contract to pay the incentive will be established with the district).
Application
The Peer Leadership Campaigns application for the 2023-2024 school year has closed.
For questions or more information, please contact Stephanie Loscko at sloscko@ocde.us or 714-966-4319.
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