Mental Health Awareness Literacy Challenge

Funded Nov 4, 2024

We are incredibly grateful for your generous support of the Mental Health Awareness Literacy Challenge. Your contributions made a meaningful difference in our classroom, allowing students to engage with powerful new books that deepened their understanding of mental health while strengthening their literacy skills.

Through these texts, students developed critical reading and analytical skills, such as identifying themes, making inferences, and connecting literature to real-world issues. Many of the books introduced sparked important conversations about emotions, resilience, and mental well-being, helping students build empathy and awareness. By analyzing characters' struggles and triumphs, students learned to recognize different perspectives and gained tools for discussing mental health in a thoughtful and informed way.

Reading in our classroom became an interactive and engaging experience. Students had the opportunity to explore these books independently, in small groups, and through class discussions. They shared reflections on how characters' experiences mirrored their own and made meaningful connections to their lives. The books not only enhanced their reading comprehension but also provided a safe space to discuss topics that are often difficult to approach.

Several students showed a newfound enthusiasm for reading, particularly with the addition of these books. One student, who had previously been reluctant to engage with literature, eagerly picked up a novel about a teen navigating anxiety and later shared how the story made them feel seen and understood. Another student, typically quiet during discussions, opened up about their thoughts on resilience and self-care, inspiring their classmates to do the same. These moments highlighted the impact of these books beyond literacy—they became tools for self-reflection, connection, and growth.

Thanks to your support, our students not only improved their reading skills but also gained a deeper awareness of mental health and the importance of open dialogue. Your generosity has helped create a classroom where reading fosters both academic and personal growth. Thank you for making this possible.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Kim