Empowering Students to Navigate Difficult Times: YESS Institute's Approach to Supporting Mental Health and Emotional Well-Being.

We at YESS Institute are heartbroken by the recent school shooting in Denver, and our thoughts go out to the victims, their families, and the entire community affected by this tragedy.

We stand in solidarity with all those who are affected by this senseless act of violence, and we are committed to doing our part to create a more peaceful and inclusive society.

We also want to take a moment to acknowledge our students, whose lives have been affected by these senseless acts of violence. Our hearts break for you, and we want you to know that we are here for you.

We are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment, and we will continue to work tirelessly to make that a reality. (Why do school shootings happen? Read about it here: https://yessinstitute.org/blog/gun-violence-social-emotional-learning/)

How We Try To Help

At YESS Institute, we work to create a safe and inclusive environment where students can learn and grow. We believe that every student deserves to feel safe in school and that it is essential to provide students with a safe space to be themselves and share their experiences. Our peer mentoring program fosters a sense of community among students and provides them with a support system that can help them deal with the challenges of adolescence.

Our SEL programs help students:
-Develop empathy
-Learn to manage emotions
-Work on impulse control
-Practice responsible decision-making
-Develop self-identities and foster a sense of belonging

Impacts of SEL programs:
-Reduced aggression
-Decline in suspensions
-Reduced suicidal thoughts
-Improved emotional regulation
-Improved academic achievemen

We recognize the importance of addressing these issues and providing students with the skills they need to manage their mental health and navigate difficult situations. We believe that social and emotional skills are critical for success in life, and that teaching these skills can help prevent violence and promote peace in our communities.

We are proud of the work we do at YESS Institute and are grateful for the impact that our program has had on the lives of our students. We are committed to continuing to provide support and resources to students who need them and to working with schools and communities to promote a culture of peace and inclusivity.


Hear From Our Students

“This is my 3rd year being a part of the YESS community and I can definitely say I have never been in a more inclusive and safe environment. Schools in today's society are hard to feel comfortable in due to the increase of hatred and violence that we continue to tolerate. However, I feel nothing but sheltered when I'm in my YESS classroom. Being a part of the YESS Institute has allowed me to gain a new safe space in my school. I now have somewhere to go if I'm feeling uncomfortable and somewhere to go if I'm feeling excited.

 It is important that every student have a place in their school where they can be vulnerable, and luckily for me, YESS has given me just that. Aside from providing me with a safe place, YESS has also taught me an abundance of life lessons that are not usually covered in many high school courses, such as mental health, types of abuse, and unhealthy relationships. I'm so grateful to have partaken in such an impactful program that teaches students the importance of these topics."