When the Outside World Feeds Fear, Student Peer Support Becomes a Lifeline
Jones-McKinney:
This moment demands we listen to students, not just because they are the most affected, but because they are already leading the way.
This school year, many students — especially students of color, LGBTQ youth, and children in immigrant and mixed-status families — are carrying more than just the weight of academic expectations.
They are navigating a world that feels increasingly unsafe, where political threats, discrimination and immigration enforcement have become part of their daily lives.
These realities compound the mental health challenges already intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Author's summary: Students face fear and uncertainty.