May 1, 2026 – The 11th Annual Student Mental Health Conference brought over 500 students from across the district together for a day focused on student mental wellbeing. Breakout sessions offered social and emotional wellness tips, a vendor fair connected students with resources, and engaging group sessions taught students to be mindful, not mind full.
The focus on mental health continues this month with Mental Wellness Spirit Week, May 25-29. On May 5, the School Board will read a proclamation recognizing May as Mental Health Awareness Month, with the district’s mental health team present to support and engage the community.
At the conference, Team Duval News had a chance to speak with student organizers from D.A. For Change. This Douglas Anderson School of the Arts-based GROW club is dedicated to raising mental health awareness while engaging students in conversation to combat the stigma around mental health. “Mental health is a part of everyone’s lives, and we need to talk about it more,” said Sophia Mclaughin, an 11th grade student organizer for D.A. for Change.
Check out our video below for what they had to say on mental health awareness and the resources offered to students: