Pearland ISD partners with UTHealth Houston for new student mental health program

Pearland ISD is partnering with UTHealth Houston on a new program designed to help students better understand mental health and encourage more open conversations about it.

Official response and confirmed impact

The district’s Board of Trustees approved the agreement with UTHealth Houston’s Department of Psychiatry during its Sept. 8 meeting.

The program, called Youth Aware of Mental Health, or YAM, will give Pearland ISD students the opportunity to participate in five sessions, each lasting about 45 to 60 minutes.

The program uses interactive lessons and activities focused on skills including:

UTHealth Houston will provide the program materials, as well as a YAM facilitator and an assistant.

According to district documents, the partnership will have no financial impact on Pearland ISD. The agreement will remain in effect through the end of June 2028.

Incident background

UTHealth Houston’s Risk and Resilience Network will lead the sessions, which are designed to increase mental health awareness among adolescents.