Wellness 4 Washtenaw

Project Theme: Mental Health

Years in Existence: 3

Target Audience and Location: Washtenaw International Middle Academy and Washtenaw International High School (WIMAHI) students in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

Mission: To increase students’ knowledge of and access to mental health resources by strengthening relationships with mental health providers.

Project Description: Founding Scholar Dyuthi Aryasomayajula and educator Dan Giddings created their project to address the mental health crisis and its impact on students. They built a student team that collaborates with the school’s social service team and club leaders to make referrals to staff, encourage peers to reach out for support, and provide monthly workshops for middle schoolers on various mental health topics. This year, the team is increasing access to mental health resources by gathering input from students and building a centralized, student-informed resource hub shared through QR codes, school platforms, and student groups. They are also expanding their impact by partnering with organizations like Okay2Say and The Corner Health to develop and deliver workshops for middle school students.