New program focuses on teen mental health in schools

As students get ready to head back to the classroom this school year, many are feeling anxious and overwhelmed by the uncertainty of everything happening in the world.

Recent studies show youth anxiety and depression have now doubled compared to pre-pandemic times.

That’s why Allina Health says it is partnering with metro schools to make sure teens have a way to try and handle it all.

Now available in 60 metro schools, the Change to Chill program is giving students the tools to cope with what they’re feeling and to put their mental health first.

"It’s OK to not be OK," said Amara Thompson, a Change to Chill intern at Columbia Heights High School.

Ahead of the school year, she’s busy getting the “Chill Zone” ready for her peers. It’s a quiet space designed by students for students where they can step out of class if the day gets too hard.

"To have that available for people to just go and chill out, get some work done if they need to, just take a breather from the stressful days of classes," Thompson said.

Students also have access to all kinds of online resources through the Change to Chill website.

"Last April and May we saw about a 300% increase in users to the website, and it really spoke to the need to have something virtual where people have access,” Thompson said. “… When you have access to the internet, you have access to all of the change to chill content. All of the lessons, the tools the videos, the resources.”

Thompson says it’s program that’s helping her peers navigate the ups and downs of high school life and gives them a place to feel what they’re feeling.

"It’s OK to acknowledge your mental health and take the steps that you need to in order to make yourself of," she said.

Schools don’t have to be partnered with Change to Chill to access their resources. They’re available online to anyone who needs them.