Jackson, MS – Canopy Children’s Solutions (Canopy), Mississippi’s largest nonprofit provider of behavioral health, educational and social service solutions, held a press conference today at the Mississippi State Capitol to celebrate their historic commitment to children’s mental wellness by announcing a new innovative solution to help best support Mississippi’s youngest citizens. Speakers included Speaker Phillip Gunn, Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann, Dr. John Damon, Canopy CEO; Senator Nicole Boyd, District 9; Charlotte Seals, Superintendent of Madison County Schools; and Wendy Bailey, Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health.
Canopy announced the launch of Canopy Anywhere, a mental wellness app that will be piloted in some Madison County schools this spring. Canopy Anywhere is an app designed to provide wellness resources and access to care for students and families. Students will receive weekly activities to establish pathways to success and learn how they play in a role in being their very best selves.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2021, more than 4 in 10 (42%) students felt persistently sad or hopeless and nearly one-third (29%) experienced poor mental health. In 2021, more than 1 in 5 (22%) students seriously considered attempting suicide and 1 in 10 (10%) attempted suicide.
“Today, we stand in the mental health crisis of our lifetime. While Canopy is strategically and operationally positioned to respond to this moment, we cannot do this work alone. Now is the time for decisive action and innovative solutions. We are proud to announce new pathways of hope and access to care in partnership with Madison County schools with this pilot and are excited to then further develop this solution to be available for schools and students statewide. We are thrilled to meet children where they are – in their schools – and provide innovative solutions to transform their lives.” Dr. John D. Damon, CEO, Canopy Children’s Solutions.
“In Madison County Schools we recognize that the health of our students, both physically and mentally, is vital for their success. We are proud to partner with Canopy Children’s Solutions to ensure our students and families have access to resources that can help them be their very best. Our District strategically focuses on the importance of helping students learn to create, collaborate, and communicate, and this partnership sets an example by working together with experts in our community to find new ways to maximize student health and wellness.” Charlotte Seals, Superintendent, Madison County School District.
“Early intervention is a key to the road of recovery, especially in our youth. DMH is proud to support the dedicated, innovative, mission-driven team at Canopy, in launching this program which will provide assessments, weekly check-ins, and connection for additional assistance if needed. We know that our health and mental health is impacted by all social determinants including housing, food, water, transportation, and more. Ensuring we keep a holistic focus will bring hope to youth and their families. We are excited to see the positives outcomes, changed lives, and expansion of hope this project will bring in 2023 and beyond.” Wendy Bailey, Executive Director, MS Department of Mental Health.
Watch now – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibJVdeoUe9g
For more information on Canopy Children’s Solutions, visit mycanopy.org.
ABOUT CANOPY CHILDREN’S SOLUTIONS: Canopy Children’s Solutions is Mississippi’s largest and most comprehensive nonprofit provider of children’s behavioral health, educational and social service solutions. Founded in 1912, Canopy offers a full array of integrated, community-based services in all 82 counties as well as intensive campus-based and educational programming. For more information, please visit us on the web at mycanopy.org.
Media Contact: Anna Crawford, Director of Marketing, anna.crawford@mycanopy.org
