Malia Riggs
Elmore Autauga News
Prattville High School senior Julia Griffin not only started her own 501c3 non-profit organization as a high school student, she’s also dedicated to the fight for mental health and wellness for her peers, teachers, counselors and community.
Griffin is the founder of The Youth Wellness Foundation, and according to her website her compassion and commitment for mental health awareness stemmed from being a vegetarian. Griffin’s organization highlights the mental health challenges young people face. Through The Youth Wellness Foundation she raises awareness and raises funds through partnerships and fundraisers within the community.
“I’ve always loved psychology and especially mental health. I’ve also 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 wanted to do something about it. I’m very excited about this contribution and what it’s going to do,” Griffin said.
Traci McGee, a counselor at Prattville High School confirmed the funds will be used towards additional training for teachers and faculty in being able to recognize a mental health crisis. The training will be through a nationally accredited organization called Youth Mental Health First Aid.
“These funds are going to be able to make this training happen. What’s wonderful in having this opportunity is that as soon as anyone is experiencing any kind of a mental health crisis, somebody in the building will know what to do. They’ll know how to help, how to talk to them, how to react and how to get them the help that they need,” McGee said.
Griffin stated she chose Prattville High School because she’s seen the workloads that the counselors have, and that it can be extremely daunting to seek a counselor out personally. Griffin saw the need for teachers to have specific training as they are a lot of times more approachable and comfortable for some students to go to first.
“We’re really proud. She came to us about a year ago with how passionate she was about this and we’re just really proud and privileged to be a part of this,” Griffin’s Parents Barrett and Amanda Griffin said.
Griffin plans to continue this organization after graduation and stated that she’s excited to work towards bigger and future goals for what’s to come.
“I think this is a true example of what we want our youth at Prattville High School and our young adults to aspire to. Of what we want them to do in life and figuring out life is bigger than themselves. We’re so proud of you,” Principal of Prattville High School Dr. Daniel Farris said.
In attendance at the check presentation ceremony was Autauga County Superintendent Lyman Woodfin, Autauga County School Board member and former chairman Kim Crocket as well as a few of Griffin’s peers and parents among other faculty of PHS.
“I’m not speechless often, but when I first got the email I thought, not only is she a student but she created the business and she’s giving back to her school. That’s awesome! She’s a tremendous young lady and it’s a tremendous program. It’s a fantastic way of trying to help her school and community,” Autauga County Superintendent Lyman Woodfin said.
