MUUD’S Mission to Bring Mental Fitness To Students
In a recent focus group held on June 3, MUUD Health brought educators and mental health advocates from across the country to examine one critical question: How can schools better support the mental wellness of students and staff alike?
The session, aimed at introducing MUUD’s objectives through its Mental Fitness Program (MFP) and NBHWC-certified coaching initiative, brought together voices from Los Angeles, Arizona, Denver, and beyond. Together, they painted a revealing picture of the current landscape, one marked by a shared belief that lasting change must start with trust and community.
One educator, who has taught in four states, described the transformational power of open, equal relationships between students and adults. In her experience, schools where kids could call teachers by their first names saw more honest conversations and earlier interventions when crises arose. By contrast, she said, public schools often find themselves tangled in “red tape” that can stifle the very openness they aim to foster.
While some districts, like LAUSD, offer robust mental health resources — on-campus clinics, QR code access to district counselors, and group counseling — many schools still fall short. Group therapy for students is rarely offered in-house, forcing educators to refer students out for services, adding another burden to already overstretched staff.
For teachers, the struggle is just as real. Understaffing and underpayment remain perennial drivers of burnout. In underfunded districts, wellness programming is minimal or non-existent. One Arizona participant noted their district’s gestures of support amount to the occasional wellness email and snacks, still, insurance only covers about ten therapy sessions per year.
LAUSD stands out for its “wellness corner,” complete with massage chairs and foosball, as well as professional development retreats that focus on grounding practices and stress relief. Yet these pockets of care remain the exception, not the rule.
When it comes to measuring impact, educators agreed on two things: attendance and grades tell an important part of the story. Schools like LAUSD use PSA Counselors to track these indicators, intervening when students start to slip. Positive reinforcement and one-on-one time were highlighted as powerful tools to create safe spaces. On sports teams, students often find the sense of community and shared accountability they need to thrive.
Some schools have experimented with anonymous surveys to check in on students’ well-being, offering a simple, low-pressure way to let kids be heard.
MUUD Health closed the session with a clear call to action: change starts with community. We encourage participants to get involved by donating, volunteering at future focus groups, sharing surveys, partnering with local schools, or even becoming certified wellness coaches once the NBHWC program launches.
The event drew a diverse roster of attendees, including Dr. Hoes, Jorge, Brittany, Leo Hernandez (LAUSD), Shannon McNealy (Soluna), Fermin and Rose Villagran (Arizona-based coach and special needs teacher), and Jorge Medina (Denver therapist and ex-coach).
One thing is certain: creating schools where mental wellness is woven into daily life requires more than funding or policy shifts. It demands spaces where students feel seen, teachers feel supported, and communities feel like true partners in the work ahead.
MUUD is ready to help create these spaces. Follow @MUUDhealth on LinkedIn for more updates.
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