Ray Lewis, the famed former linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens, announced his Ray of Hope Foundation will partner with Baltimore County Public Schools to provide mental health screenings. Lewis, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, spoke at the annual Mind Over Matters student conference on Wednesday, telling students in an auditorium full of Baltimore County Public Schools students: “You guys are carrying so much pressure. Sometimes y’all walk around life like y’all by yourselves.”
Ray Lewis III, the former linebacker’s son, died of an overdose three years ago at age 28. Lewis is now a passionate advocate for mental health. Starting in late April, Baltimore County students in 15 schools will be screened for depression, anxiety, and other risk factors for behavioral health problems. Families will be notified immediately if their children are considered at high risk.
Superintendent Myriam Rogers said research following the COVID-19 pandemic indicated screening tools could identify mental health concerns early and improve long-term student development. The screening tools school officials reviewed were “cost prohibitive,” but Ray of Hope will offer one at no cost: the Rising Together Schoolwide Mental Health Screening Program, developed by Possibilities for Change. After testing it at select schools, the district hopes to roll it out countywide for students ages 8-18. Screenings will be in the form of questionnaires, and information will be sent ahead so parents can decline their students’ participation.
Ray of Hope is working with school districts in Colorado, Michigan, Louisiana, Florida, and New Jersey to implement the screenings. Lewis recalled the time his son knocked on his door at 2 a.m. looking “zoned out” because he was using fentanyl and cocaine. Lewis checked him into rehabilitation for a six-month stay, but his son checked himself out after fourteen days and died two weeks later. Lewis advised students to have their own processes to keep them focused on their goals and said that social media time should not exceed time spent on personal practices of faith.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.thebanner.com/education/k-12-schools/ray-lewis-baltimore-county-mental-health-2PBGO6LUUNHXFM2LX3OBPD7GTA/