Google partners with Selena Gomez to fund teen mental health in classrooms

Google Selena Gomez

Google has announced a $10 million Teen Mental Health Initiative to support the rollout of mental health resources to one million high school students and 10,000 teachers. Google said that funding will be distributed to leading youth mental health and education nonprofits, including actor and musician Selena Gomez’s Rare Impact Fund.

According to Justin Steele, Google.org America, director Google Searches for ‘teen mental health’ doubled in the last four years, reaching an all time high in 2023. “As teens navigate the complexities of today’s world, it's crucial that they have the tools and support to develop healthy, positive, and productive mental health habits. We’ve learned so much by supporting leaders in the youth mental health space to create this initiative and we’re excited to help get resources into the hands of teens and teachers across the country.”

Gomez, in a blog post, said no one should feel isolated in their mental health experiences, especially young people, who can be especially vulnerable to those struggles. “We have to give teens resources so that they can build strong, positive and productive mental health habits. That’s why at The Rare Impact Fund, we want to expand access to mental health services by meeting young people where they are: the classroom. We’re proud to team up with Google to help achieve that goal,” said Gomez.

Google said that knowing that teachers also need resources to navigate the ins and outs of teen mental health, Google.org funded leading youth mental health nonprofits -  Child Mind Institute, JED Foundation and The Steve Fund - to create nine 30 minute, mental health training courses for teachers. Completion of a course earns a teacher a $200 DonorsChoose credit, said Google.