WCNY is proud to collaborate with public media stations across New York State on a multi-platform project that shines a light on the importance of student mental health and well-being. As part of this initiative, we’ll be featuring special programs starting Monday, Sept. 25 that address student mental health concerns. We’ll also provide educators and families with resources, programs, and a student mental health toolkit to support the mental well-being of students.
CONNECT NY: Youth Mental Health
Watch Monday, Sept. 25 at 9 p.m. on WCNY-TV
Host David Lombardo explores New York teen mental health, pandemic challenges, and state policymakers’ vital mental health responses.
Watch Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 3:30 p.m. on WCNY-TV
Delve into impactful suicide stories, America’s urgent health crisis. Follow scientists pioneering research for improved prevention and treatment on the frontlines.
Watch Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 9 p.m. on WCNY-TV
Mind-altering drugs—or psychedelics—have been used for thousands of years. Today, scientists are discovering their potential for profoundly positive clinical impacts.
Watch Thursday, Sept. 28 at 4:30 p.m. on WCNY-TV
Examine the untold story of five ordinary Americans prescribed psychiatric drugs, exposing consequences when profit-driven medicine meets human distress.
Cycle of Health: Teen Mental Health
Watch Thursday, Sept. 28 at 8:30 p.m. on WCNY-TV
Uncover the pressing issue of teen mental health and its surrounding stigma as experts reveal effective strategies for dismantling misconceptions.
Watch Thursday, Sept. 28 at 10 p.m. on WCNY-TV
This revealing documentary introduces a dozen people from diverse backgrounds who describe their personal struggles with this mental health condition.
Hiding in Plain Sight: Resilience
Watch Saturday, Sept. 30 at 8:30 p.m. on WCNY-TV
Explore the criminalization of mental illness, tragedy of youth suicide, and “double stigma” that occurs when combined with racial or gender discrimination.
Our Time: PTSD and Mental Illness
Watch Saturday, Sept. 30 at 10:30 p.m. on WCNY-TV
Filmmakers Bailey Francisco and Madison Goddard tackle PTSD and bipolar disorder head-on as they recount their experiences.
Teachers are called upon to address student mental health issues now more than ever. In response, Student Mental Health Matters: A Toolkit for Educators recently launched on PBS LearningMedia. This collection is designed to equip educators, school staff, and school mental health professionals with critical knowledge and strategies needed to support the mental well-being of their students.
The collection features 50+ video-based resources and accompanying support materials—produced by mental health organizations and public media producers, featuring New York-based mental health experts—covers suicide prevention, stress and anxiety, self-harm, adverse childhood experiences, and social media.
You’ll find expert perspectives from mental health professionals, school administrators, and educators aimed at helping teachers better understand a topic, student perspectives that reveal the lived experience of elementary, middle, and high school students, and strategies that provide real-world applications for teachers’ practices.
Funding for Student Mental Health Focus Week is provided in part by the New York State Education Department.
