BYU-Idaho Radio · Madison Cares helps students improve their mental health
The well-being of students is taken seriously in the Madison School District.
Madison Cares is the mental health department for the district. It provides mental health support and services for all students.
Madison Cares started in 2009. The district received a grant and it was able to build a foundation for the program. At the time, they were only the second school district in the country to receive a grant for a program like this.
Program Director Rick Croft has been with Madison Cares for nine years. He loves working within the education system and has had many rewarding experiences with Madison Cares.
Croft said that dealing with mental health challenges is not a weakness. He has advice on how to help those who are struggling.
“Being a good listener, being a support for that person. Another thing that’s critical is taking a minute and saying hi to somebody or taking a minute to say ‘Are you ok?’,” Croft said.
Madison Cares hopes to continue helping students improve their mental health.
For more information on Madison Cares, visit: https://www.msd321.com/page/madison-cares-department-page