The Montana Student Well-being Advisory Committee (MSWAC)—a group consisting of diverse stakeholders such as the Montana School Counselors Association, state agencies, tribal, rural, and urban partners, non-profits, school administrators, and school staff—is expanding its scope around mental health and wellness for students. Through partnerships such as this, the Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) is prioritizing its dedication to bringing the voices of Montana students to the forefront of important conversations regarding student mental health, wellness, and school safety.

The MSWAC leadership team is actively reaching out to new stakeholders and partners including students, parents, state agencies, family engagement organizations, health providers, and workforce development organizations. The expanded MSWAC will be introducing new task force committees to focus on workforce development, youth voice, statewide mapping of mental health and wellness resources, CSCT, and family engagement; with a focus on evidence-based and data-informed practices. MSWAC will utilize the Youth Behavior Risk Survey, the Montana Prevention Needs Assessment, and other relevant data to inform the creation of a strategic plan, goals, and outcomes.

Mental health and wellness resource mapping is underway, and the Youth Voice Taskforce is taking shape to elevate student voice across Montana. Through partnerships with students, parents/caregivers, and schools, OPI is working to collect student voice video submissions to gather students’ experiences and suggestions to strengthen school-based delivery of mental health and wellness services.

At OPI’s School Safety Student Voice webpage, interested individuals will not only find additional information but an invitation to join the conversation about supporting student wellness in Montana. OPI wants to hear from students to better understand their experiences and hear their recommendations to improve in-school supports for student mental health and wellness. To accomplish that goal, OPI is currently seeking youth video submissions and written submissions to elevate Montana student voices. To be eligible, participants must be Montana students between the ages of 14 and 19 years old.

The purpose of the School Climate and Safety Youth Advisory Board is to gather and elevate youth voice to promote action to be taken to assure every Montana student feels safe, welcome, and supported in school. OPI will bring high school students from around the state together in virtual monthly meetings to discuss topics the students identify as important to supporting student mental health and wellness.

For more information, anyone interested is encouraged to contact Jamey Peterson at jamey.petersen@mt.gov or (406) 444-0773.