Upper Arlington Schools announced a two-year partnership with the JED Foundation on Sept. 7 to review its student mental health and suicide prevention systems.

The partnership pairs the 6,669-student district with JED and AASA, The School Superintendents Association, through the organizations' District Mental Health Initiative. An expert-led team will assess the district's existing practices, policies and programs, then help build a strategic plan to strengthen student supports across all 10 schools.

"This work will give us an opportunity to take a thoughtful look at the systems we have in place, learn from experts and other school districts, and identify ways we can continue to strengthen the support we provide to our students," Superintendent Robert Hunt said in the district's announcement.

The initiative follows months of board-level action on student well-being. At the June 9 board meeting, Dr. Cathy Ely, director of well-being, prevention and intervention, reported that the district's mental health specialists are seeing recurring themes including anxiety, ADHD, depression, suicidal ideation and school avoidance among students. Board President Jenny McKenna then asked administrators to develop a consistent, research-based program across all five elementary schools, citing "the losses in our community this past year."

The board also directed the district to expand its Sources of Strength program, currently used in grades 6–12 for suicide awareness and violence prevention under Ohio's House Bill 123 (the SAVE Student Act), to the elementary level.

At the Aug. 18 meeting, Chief Excellence and Engagement Officer Denise Lutz told the board that roughly $223,000 in state Student Wellness and Success Funds would support five mental health specialists for the 2026–2027 school year. Free tele-therapy through Hazel Health will also extend to Burbank Early Childhood families.

JED and AASA launched the District Mental Health Initiative in October 2024 after a pilot phase involving 15 districts in 14 states. The program uses surveys of students, principals, staff and district leaders to build a picture of each district's mental health needs. Each participating district receives a final report on its progress and a sustainability plan.

The district has not announced a timeline for the first assessments, the cost of the partnership or when families can expect to see changes.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.