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Google and Selena Gomez partner to fund teen mental health in the classroom

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Google and Selena Gomez partner to fund teen mental health in the classroom
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Google and Selena Gomez partner to fund teen mental health in the classroom

2024-08-13 04:51 Last Updated At:05:01

The unprecedented mental health crisis for children in the United States often surfaces where they spend much of their days: school. With that in mind, Google’s philanthropic arm is directly financing high school wellbeing projects on a classroom crowdfunding platform.

Google.org on Monday flash funded all mental health-related listings on DonorsChoose, an online charity where members help purchase supplies requested by public school teachers. With $10 million in new gifts and the help of actress Selena Gomez, the Silicon Valley giant hopes to center mindfulness as an educational goal at the start of the academic calendar.

Districts have turned to teachers for psychological help after the coronavirus pandemic brought alarming levels of childhood depression, anxiety and fights. But experts say that increased attention has not translated to more philanthropic money overall toward mental health.

Google.org committed earlier this year to back nonprofits that support kids’ mental health and online safety. Monday’s announcement — which will also provide $500 vouchers for eligible DonorsChoose campaigns in the near future — ups that pledge to $25 million.

The move comes amid widespread criticism and lawsuits claiming Google-owned YouTube and other social media sites have fueled the childhood mental health crisis by deliberately designing addictive features.

Justin Steele, Google.org’s Director for the America, said its initiative highlights Google’s efforts to lead this “important conversation” and “be one part of contributing to positive solutions.”

Its internet browser’s own data has showcased the rising interest; Steele said searches for “teen mental health” doubled over the last four years.

“Obviously, we want people to be able to take advantage of all the amazing things technology has to offer,” Steele said. “But we also want them to be able to do it in a healthy and safe way.”

Google.org is giving $6 million overall to DonorsChoose. The technology company also announced $1.5 million in donations to the Jed Foundation, the Steve Fund and Child Mind Institute — groups focused on emotional wellbeing among young adults, people of color and children, respectively. The organizations will design half-hour training sessions to help educators navigate new mental health challenges. Teachers can earn $200 DonorsChoose credits upon course completion.

Gomez’s Rare Impact Fund, which seeks to drive more money into this “underfunded field,” is receiving $1.25 million.

The “Only Murders in the Building” star has been vocal about her own bipolar diagnosis. In a Monday blog post, Gomez said she knows firsthand that “caring adults” can make a big difference for teenagers.

“As young people find their way through the world, it’s crucial that they get guidance in building healthy, positive and productive mental health habits,” Gomez wrote. “Few people are in a better position to help do this than teachers.”

The need to address behavioral issues in high school was further emphasized by a recent report from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Students said they faced bullying and missed school due to safety concerns at higher rates than previous years in data released August 6.

Yes, Mindful Philanthropy Executive Director Alyson Niemann acknowledged, the greater focus on mental health has brought minimal funding boosts for nonprofits in this space. But she said the dollars don’t match the new levels of awareness.

One major barrier is that donors don’t know which solutions work, according to Niemann. School-based mental health support is one of the most effective remedies, she said. That’s where many students begin the path to treatment and find trusted adults in teachers or coaches.

DonorsChoose CEO Alix Guerrier emphasized that teachers are not substitutes for mental health professionals. But he said DonorsChoose has seen a fourfold increase over the past four years in the number of mental health submissions. Such requests include saucer chairs for a “calm corner” and meditative stuffed animals that guide deep breathing.

“There is no limit to teachers’ creativities," Guerrier said.

Mental health has long been a priority for Aileen Gendrano Adao in her Los Angeles classrooms. The high school English teacher said she asks students to ground themselves with three deep breaths at the start of class. Wall posters affirm students’ self-worth.

She said DonorsChoose gives her the freedom to creatively engage with students — especially when districts lack the money to meet needs that emerge in real time. As Asian Americans faced racially motivated attacks during the pandemic, she obtained graphic novels about Asian American identity.

She hopes this additional funding encourages educators to prioritize mental health.

“Schools are transforming in a way that’s needed and necessary to heal from post-pandemic chaos,” she said. “There’s an investment. People are seeing us and wanting us to be better and whole again.

Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of AP’s philanthropy coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy.

In this image provided by Google, actress Selena Gomez, center, interacts with Eagle Rock High School students at a mental health event in Los Angeles, Monday, Aug. 12, 2024. (Brandon Ogden/Google via AP)

In this image provided by Google, actress Selena Gomez, center, interacts with Eagle Rock High School students at a mental health event in Los Angeles, Monday, Aug. 12, 2024. (Brandon Ogden/Google via AP)

FILE - Selena Gomez takes part in the featured session "Mindfulness Over Perfection: Getting Real On Mental Health" at the Austin Convention Center during the South by Southwest Conference on Sunday, March 10, 2024, in Austin, Texas. Google.org, the technology giant's philanthropic arm, is donating $1.25 million to Gomez's Rare Impact Fund as part of its recent commitment to nonprofits focused on youth mental health. (Photo by Jack Plunkett/Invision/AP, File)

FILE - Selena Gomez takes part in the featured session "Mindfulness Over Perfection: Getting Real On Mental Health" at the Austin Convention Center during the South by Southwest Conference on Sunday, March 10, 2024, in Austin, Texas. Google.org, the technology giant's philanthropic arm, is donating $1.25 million to Gomez's Rare Impact Fund as part of its recent commitment to nonprofits focused on youth mental health. (Photo by Jack Plunkett/Invision/AP, File)

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How Alex Ovechkin became the top goal-scorer in NHL history

2025-04-07 06:26 Last Updated At:06:32

Alex Ovechkin became the greatest goal scorer in NHL history because of a never-before-seen combination of a wicked shot, consistency over two decades and remarkable durability that kept him on the ice long enough to break Wayne Gretzky's record.

Ovechkin scored his 895th career goal Sunday against the New York Islanders, passing Gretzky with a flair for the dramatic that has marked the Russian superstar's career, now in its 20th NHL season.

How did Ovechkin rewrite a record many thought would never be broken when Gretzky retired?

Gretzky was a dazzler, an artist on skates who would fool defensemen and goaltenders alike with his moves, not to mention a surprising and baffling shot. His scoring came no matter the situation, including a record 73 short-handed, while Ovechkin had just five that way.

While Gretzky might be described as mesmerizing, Ovechkin brought sheer power and strength. His shot — described as peculiarly “heavy” by the goalies and defenseman tasked with stopping it — was laser-like. Adding Ilya Sorokin on the record-breaker, Ovechkin has beaten a record 183 netminders on this journey, including 28 times on Marc-Andre Fleury.

“I don’t like getting scored on by him, but I love the battle over the years," Fleury once said. “I feel fortunate I was able to play in this time. He probably owes me a few things for scoring so many goals on me. I helped it out pretty good. I’m glad I got to face him.”

Gretzky's favorite way of scoring was off the rush or deking a goalie out of his pads. His “office” was behind the net where he could start a play that wound up with him lighting the lamp but more often led to one of his astounding 1,963 assists, a league record that will never be touched.

Not Ovechkin. So many of his NHL-record 325 power-play goals have come from his spot in the left faceoff circle. The puck getting to Ovechkin and him blasting his right-handed rocket of a one-timer into the net is what he is most known for.

At the age of 39, Ovechkin reached 40 goals in a season for a 14th time — the most in league history — by adapting and adding more variety of scoring to his repertoire.

Just that he is still excelling in his late 30s is a testament to Ovechkin playing through pain that would sideline others and managing to avoid some of the long-term injuries that would have slowed this pursuit. And he got the record this season even after missing 16 games with a broken left fibula.

His offseason workouts changed as he got older, from weight-training to off-ice sprinting, though his teammates note he still seems to eat what he wants, when he wants.

“Obviously impressive that he hasn’t missed a lot of hockey games, which is incredible,” said Nicklas Backstrom, who assisted on nearly 300 of Ovechkin's goals. “If you ask players around the league, I don’t think one player will say you play with not feeling anything for 80 games, at least. That’s just part of hockey culture, I think, and obviously he’s done it better than others.”

Even so, few thought any player would get close to Gretzky, who has been the record-holder for the most goals since passing Gordie Howe with his 802nd goal on March 23, 1994. Gretzky has 54 other records, including 2,857 total points.

Ovechkin won't touch that one — but he does have another year on his Capitals contract, so he will have plenty of chances to add to his scoring record.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin warms-up before an NHL hockey game against New York Islanders in Elmont, N.Y., Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin warms-up before an NHL hockey game against New York Islanders in Elmont, N.Y., Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) waving to the crowd at the end of an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks, Friday, April 4, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) waving to the crowd at the end of an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks, Friday, April 4, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin poses in the in the locker room with his 894th NHL career goal puck in an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks, Friday, April 4, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin poses in the in the locker room with his 894th NHL career goal puck in an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks, Friday, April 4, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin warms-up before an NHL hockey game against New York Islanders in Elmont, N.Y., Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin warms-up before an NHL hockey game against New York Islanders in Elmont, N.Y., Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin kneels on the ice during the warm-up before an NHL hockey game against New York Islanders in Elmont, N.Y., Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin kneels on the ice during the warm-up before an NHL hockey game against New York Islanders in Elmont, N.Y., Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates after scoring his 895th career goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against New York Islanders in Elmont, N.Y., Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates after scoring his 895th career goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against New York Islanders in Elmont, N.Y., Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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