Canopy Anywhere Youth Mental Wellness Program
Aug. 13, 2025 – Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves has announced a $16 million partnership between the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) and Canopy Children’s Solutions to expand Canopy Anywhere, a first-of-its-kind youth mental wellness platform designed for middle and high school students.
The program will serve 29 low- and moderate-income public school districts across the state, aiming to address rising mental health needs among students in grades 6–12.
“Mississippi has momentum in the classroom, and this new partnership will help keep it that way,” Reeves said. “Our kids deserve the best education we can give them, and emotional and mental health play a major role in that success.”
Real-Time Mental Health Support for Students
Canopy Anywhere integrates directly into school-issued devices, offering an affordable way to monitor and improve student mental health. Features include:
- Evidence-based hope curriculum to build emotional wellness and goal-setting skills
- Self-guided digital tools and weekly wellness lessons
- Tech-enabled care navigation for real-time support to students and caregivers
- Family resource connections
- Clinical screenings for students needing higher-level care
The system was piloted in 2024 in select Madison County School District schools. Out of 628 participating students, 143 were identified as having immediate mental health needs and connected to in-person support.
Addressing a Growing Mental Health Crisis
State officials pointed to national statistics showing a 90% increase in adolescents reporting at least one major depressive episode in the past year. About one in three high school students nationwide report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
“This bold investment honors our 113-year legacy and empowers a more hopeful generation for Mississippi’s future,” said Dr. John D. Damon, CEO of Canopy Children’s Solutions.
MDA Executive Director Bill Cork emphasized the economic impact of the initiative: “Meeting the academic and emotional needs of our students not only improves quality of life, but it builds on Mississippi’s record of investing in our people to grow the economy.”
29 School Districts to Benefit
The program is funded through the federal Community Development Block Grant – COVID (CDBG-CV) Program, administered by MDA and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Participating districts include:
Biloxi, Claiborne County, Clarksdale, Coahoma County, Corinth, East Tallahatchie, Greenville, Greenwood-Leflore, Gulfport, Hattiesburg, Holmes County, Humphreys County, Jackson, McComb, Meridian, Natchez-Adams, North Bolivar, North Panola, North Tippah, Quitman County, South Delta, Starkville-Oktibbeha, Sunflower County, Tunica County, West Bolivar, West Tallahatchie, Wilkinson County, Winona-Montgomery, and Yazoo City.
Video of the governor’s announcement is available on his official Facebook page.
