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Charlotte nonprofit promoting mental health awareness and education for kids

Active Minds met with local organizations and educators to highlight a free mental health tool, with the goal of transforming schools and communities.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Our youngest generation has faced a lot over the last few years from the pandemic and social media to youth violence.  

The nonprofit Active Minds is working to change that with a program that provides school-age kids with a new tool to deal with anxiety and emotions.

"They go through so many emotions especially sitting in that class," Jazmine Taylor, with Active Minds, told WCNC Charlotte.

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The program teaches kids how to handle, express, and communicate with others through a programmed curriculum.

Some educators say the more mental health resources in the classroom, the better.

"I see a lot of kids just staring off into space and just not engaged," educator Katie Volodkevich said. "I think when you’re not doing well mentally you forget about school because you’re so consumed about what is going on in your head."

Wellness community leaders also came out to learn more about the programs available, stating that many kids are suffering in silence.

"Many kids bring things home that their parents don’t know how to manage," Shakeyla Mitchell said.

As local groups continue working to educate kids and parents, they’re also hoping different tools like Active Minds could help too.

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"Focusing on mental health and giving them strategies and techniques to manage emotion could impact their reading levels and math scores," Ivy Vaughn said.

Active Minds also has mental health programming for parents to use at home and resources available for young adults.

Contact Tradesha Woodard at twoodard1@wcnc.com and follow her on FacebookX and Instagram.

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