Julia Griffin, a senior at Prattville High School, is dedicating her time to helping her peers, teachers counselors, and community members access mental health and wellness resources.

Griffin has her own 501c3 non-profit organization, the Youth Wellness Foundation, which she began in 2023 to allow her to financially support a cause she is passionate about.

Her nonprofit has made a $2,500 donation to Prattville High School to support Youth Mental Health First Aid courses for teachers and counselors. Griffin contributed money to the donation while working at her parent’s technology company and raised more funds from local businesses that support the foundation’s mission.

These courses, which are led by The National Council for Mental Wellbeing, are intended to give teachers the tools they need to identify and support students who are struggling with mental health issues or substance abuse issues.

In addition, this donation will support a number of student organizations that focus on mental health, such as The Peer Helpers, whose members will receive specialized training to recognize and interact with peers who are at risk.

“These funds are going to be able to make this training happen. What’s wonderful about having this opportunity, and having these teachers trained, is that there’s going to be people all across the building who, when a student is experiencing any type of mental health crisis, know what do,” said Traci McGee, school counselor at the high school, in a news release. “We’re so excited that students will have a place to land in whatever they’re doing or wherever they are when they are here in our building.”

Griffin said she wanted to draw attention to the increasing numbers of students with mental health concerns and the possibility that the stigma associated with visiting a counselor would discourage students from asking for assistance. By utilizing the already-existing relationships to make it simpler for students to confide in someone they feel comfortable around, she aims to empower other students and teachers to act as the first line of defense.

After graduating, Griffin said she plans to keep expanding the organization and says she is eager to work toward more ambitious goals.

“I’ve always loved psychology and especially mental health,” said Julia Griffin in a Q&A session with Daniel Farris, PHS principal. “I’ve always been really passionate about mental health. I’ve seen the struggles that a lot of people here go through between my classmates and friends, and I just knew I had to do something about it. I’m very excited about this contribution and what it’s going to do.”

Farris thanked Griffin, saying, “What you have done is going to make a difference. I think this is a true example of what we want our youth at Prattville High School to be doing in life…and figuring out life is bigger than themselves.”