How Durham's public schools is focusing on student mental health
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
What happens when we treat student mental health as the essential foundation for learning?
The WHOLE Schools movement has been helping answer that question for Durham’s public schools since 2022.
When the COVID-19 pandemic exposed gaps in mental health support and connection, our community came together to respond. Through listening and collaboration with students, families, educators, and partners, WHOLE Schools began strengthening how schools support the whole child.
Since then, the movement has worked across Durham Public Schools through educator training, student leadership, community engagement, and school-based grants—helping build schools where young people feel safe, seen, and heard.
In a new video, hear from DPS community members—including 2025 Teacher of the Year Alec Virgil—along with partners from the Durham County Department of Public Health as they reflect on why supporting student wellbeing in schools matters and what it takes to build a stronger ecosystem of care for students.
🎥 Watch the video:
*English and Spanish captions are available.
DPS Foundation is proud to have helped incubate and champion this work alongside passionate community partners through funding, implementation, and relationship-building. As the school year continues, we’ll be sharing more about the impact of WHOLE Schools, what we’ve learned, and how this work will continue to shape efforts supporting student wellbeing across Durham’s public schools.
Over the next few months, we’ll highlight community partners carrying this work forward, share resources for educators, families, and schools, and introduce new tools that build on what WHOLE Schools has started.
Interested in helping carry this work forward? Reach out to Xavier Cason, WHOLE Schools senior program manager, at xavier@bullcityschools.org.
Learn more about the movement at wholeschools.org.
Thank you for supporting the whole student within Durham’s public schools.
In appreciation,
The WHOLE Schools Team, Durham Public Schools Foundation
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