The Mental Health (MH) Ambassador Program is a peer-to-peer support model from DPS Foundation and the WHOLE Schools Movement.

MH Ambassadors are leaders in their school communities, helping to build and foster a culture of mental health and wellness. This is a year-long engagement during which Ambassadors will receive training, build skills, and lead school-level initiatives.

Mental Health Ambassadors

Destigmatize Mental Health, Connects Resources, Lead Community Support

Mental Health Ambassador Offerings

Not only filling gaps, but creating space for youth and adults to become effective leaders and informed members of their school communities in navigating mental health and crisis intervention.

  • Mental Health Ambassadors (MHAs) participate in cohort-based wellness coaching designed to equip them with essential skills for building healthier relationships, increasing self-awareness, and improving overall well-being.

    Benefits:

    Personal Well-Being Vision: MHAs articulate their personal well-being goals and envision how these goals can be implemented in their classrooms or roles.

    Sustained Impact: Ambassadors receive ongoing support to actualize their wellness-centered goals, creating a lasting impact on their school community's well-being.

  • MHAs receive specialized training to address acute mental health needs and provide immediate support to students and colleagues in crisis.

    Benefits:

    Mental Health First Aid: Learn essential skills for responding to mental health emergencies, ensuring that students and staff receive timely and effective care.

    Restorative Practices: Training in restorative justice helps reduce school violence and promotes a safer, more inclusive school environment.

    Customizable Training: Ambassadors can choose from a variety of specialized training options, such as supporting students of color, LGBTQ+ students, or those experiencing trauma.

  • We offer ongoing professional development opportunities to enhance the skills and knowledge of MHAs, empowering them to be leaders in their school communities.

    Benefits:

    Skill-Building: Ambassadors receive training in key areas like mindfulness, trauma-informed care, and best practices for diverse learners in Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and belonging.

    Leadership Development: Through leadership training, MHAs gain the ability to advocate for mental health and wellness within their schools, driving systemic change.

    Holistic Support: WHOLE Schools provides funding, resources, and connections to help Ambassadors implement their wellness-centered professional development plans, ensuring they have the tools needed to sustain their impact.

2023-24 Mental Heath Ambassador Cohort

  • In 2023-24, DPSF recruited 32 fully engaged educators as MH Ambassadors at 10 schools across DPS, including elementary, middle, high, and specialty schools.

  • 58% of Ambassadors have completed Mental Health First Aid training to date so they are equipped to serve as First Responders to emotional and health crises in their schools.

  • 60% have received Restorative Practices training to understand how to create and sustain healthier communication and relationship strategies.

2024-25 Mental Health Ambassadors Cohort…To Be Announced!

(We are no longer accepting applications for the 2024-25 SY)

Questions? Email us at
wholeschools@bullcityschools.org

 FAQs

  • The Ambassadors work individually and as a cohort to pursue these goals:

    1. Support a safe (WHOLE) culture by establishing shared language that helps to de-stigmatize mental health support

    2. Build and share specific tools (introduced through the cohort activities) with other school staff that are research-backed ways of improving school culture and climate

    3. Provide direct peer support for other educators (in the form of mental health first aid, mental health retreats, and other skill-building opportunities)

    4. Increase awareness of school-based support and coordinated referrals for student mental health support

    5. Identifying gaps in current supports and opportunities for new/expanded supports across schools through leading ongoing needs assessments and community listening

  • Right now, we have only recruited educators & other school support staff as Mental Health Ambassadors for the 2024-25 cohort.

    Unfortunately, School Counselors and School Social Workers are not eligible to become MH Ambassadors because of their presumed training already in the areas of mental health.

  • Ambassadors are leaders in their school communities, helping to build and foster a culture of mental health and wellness. They provide direct peer-to-peer support and they work as a cohort to identify challenges and opportunities for building a school-wide culture of wellness.  

    The role of Ambassadors is to help destigmatize mental health in their communities, connect peers to the appropriate mental health resources that match their needs, and lead community listening sessions to identify gaps and opportunities for mental health support in DPS schools.

  • We anticipate commitment and participation ranging from 2-5 hours a month. MH Ambassadors receive an orientation & briefing to begin the school year on roles and responsibilities.  Over the course of the year, they will engage with wellness and mental health-oriented workshops, training in Restorative Practices and Mental Health First Aid, as well as receive support via coaching, classroom visits, and cohort engagement from current and former ambassadors.  There will be potential for involvement in other leadership and organizing opportunities. This is a year-long commitment.

  • Absolutely! Ambassadors will receive a stipend of $2000 for the school year, with the possibility of additional compensation for select professional development and leadership opportunities.