We asked Path to College students to name their biggest barriers to academic support. The stigma of acknowledging a mental health need and asking for help is at the top of their list. Path to College mentors observed that students often need to prioritize work over study and lack friends who share and support their academic goals.

Today is #WorldMentalHealthDay and we are proud to share our three year strategic plan addressing this very real need. To Shine on Student Support, we are creating a culture where asking for any type of help is normalized and where connections with peers and adults are deepened through trust.

“TO SHINE IS TO REMOVE THE EXTRANEOUS SO THAT TRUE BRILLIANCE CAN BE REVEALED TO ALL.”

Here are the strategic steps we are taking to speak up and speak out about mental health awareness:

• Embed proactive programming and activities for student mental health

  • Grateful to Om Shanti Yoga and For A Kind World

• Form partnerships with community mental health providers

  • Special thanks to our partners at PACE Center for Girls, NAMI PBC, and Juno Counseling!

• Implement a peer-mediated mental health buddy system

  • Thank you to PTC Alumnus and College Coach, Clune, for leading our mentee round table conversations!

• Engage Path to College alumni to deepen sense of community, fellowship and future

  • Thanks to all our College Coaches: Clune, Dodlee, Reyna, Ketura, Ariel, and Nicole!