Protecting emotional health and preventing suicide for all youth means meeting each community where they are.
At The Jed Foundation (JED), we know that mental health challenges and the resources available to address them can look very different from one school, district, or community to another. Our Equitable Implementation approach ensures every partner gets strategies and support tailored to their specific needs, informed by data and grounded in best practices.
What Equitable Implementation Means at JED
Equitable Implementation is the process of ensuring that mental health programs, policies, and interventions are customized in ways that account for the varying needs and circumstances of all youth. To help more young people get the support they need, that means this process is:
- Grounded in data. We use data and research to identify and understand differences in mental health stressors, as well as gaps in access and outcomes.
- Tailored to context. We adapt programs, policies, and resources to reflect each community’s strengths, challenges, and cultures.
- Focus on impact. We focus on effective, research-informed interventions that are practical, actionable, and responsive to real-world challenges faced by youth, schools, communities, and families.
Addressing the data-informed needs of youth from the most at-risk communities strengthens the safety net for all young people, and leads to better outcomes for all.
How It Works in Practice
Through JED’s Comprehensive Approach to Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention, we guide schools and youth-serving organizations to:
- Assess their current systems and identify gaps.
- Build customized strategic plans aligned with their students’ needs and community’s priorities.
- Implement research-informed, practical interventions that can be sustained over time.
Our Comprehensive Approach is an evidence-based framework designed to strengthen programs, policies, and systems so that all youth have access to the care and support they deserve. Although we tailor recommendations, our goal is always the same: preventing suicide and improving outcomes for all young people. Learn more in our Comprehensive Approach Statement.
Why It Matters
Mental health stressors can be amplified by factors such as financial insecurity, rural isolation, unfair treatment, experiences with bullying, or lack of access to care. By proactively planning for those realities, schools and communities can create environments in which every young person feels connected, supported, and valued.
Our Commitment
Delivering Equitable Implementation of JED’s Comprehensive Approach to Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention requires a team equipped to understand and respond to the needs of many different communities. JED’s staff brings a wide range of skills, perspectives, and backgrounds to help our partners deliver the most effective support possible. We stay informed through ongoing research, direct engagement with youth and communities, and continuous professional development to ensure that our strategies evolve alongside the needs of youth.
Let’s work together to strengthen your community’s mental health support. Explore Our Approach >