Thriving Minds—a collaboration between bryt, the Massachusetts School Mental Health Consortium, and the Rennie Center—supports districts in strengthening school mental health systems through strategic planning, implementation, and professional learning. Since launching in 2021, the partnership has brought together the complementary expertise of all three organizations to help schools build comprehensive, integrated approaches to student support. Over the past several years, Thriving Minds has provided professional development and technical assistance to more than 250 districts to help develop multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) for students, families, and educators while also strengthening coordination between schools and community-based mental health providers.
Through this work, Thriving Minds has supported school and district teams through a wide range of learning and coaching opportunities. The team has led professional learning communities, fellowship cohorts, and dozens of professional development sessions in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and standalone districts. Thriving Minds has also provided targeted coaching and technical assistance to districts working to implement universal screening, embed trauma-responsive practices, and strengthen the effectiveness of student support teams.
What sets Thriving Minds apart is its deep connection to the realities of schools. The team includes former district administrators, counselors, social workers, and classroom educators who bring first-hand knowledge of school culture, systems, and day-to-day challenges. This experience allows Thriving Minds to translate research and best practices into practical strategies that schools can implement quickly and effectively. Working with districts across New England and beyond—from large urban systems to small rural communities—the team partners closely with school leaders to design sustainable mental health systems tailored to each district’s unique context, helping ensure that all students can access the supports they need to succeed.
Join our mailing list if you’d like to hear about future opportunities, or feel free to reach out to info@renniecenter.org if you’re interested in learning more about Thriving Minds and the services we offer.
Universal Mental Health Screening Learning Lab
The Universal Mental Health Screening (UMHS) Learning Lab, offered by Thriving Minds in partnership with the National Center for School Mental Health, is launching this fall to help districts establish high-quality mental health screening systems in their schools. The UMHS Learning Lab is designed to help districts move from initial planning to full implementation for screening. The program helps districts start small and build toward screening entire grade levels and schools.
Through this three-year program, district teams will:
- Pilot and refine the use of mental health screening tools
- Scale pilots to carry out schoolwide screening
- Receive targeted coaching and access to practical tools and resources
- Learn alongside other mental health practitioners from across the country
Interested in learning more? Complete this interest form by June 1st to receive more program details, including timelines and registration information. You can also join us for an information session on Thursday, May 21, at 2:00pm EST to meet our team, learn more, and ask any questions you have about the program.
Why use mental health screening? School districts across the country are facing a growing need to better identify and support student mental health. Approximately 1 in 5 students experience a mental health condition, and nearly half of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14. Yet many students with significant needs are never identified.
Universal mental health screening is a powerful, evidence-based strategy to help schools identify concerns early, strengthen prevention, and connect students to support before needs escalate. Screening is not just about identifying needs; it’s about ensuring every student has equitable access to support.
How do I sign up to participate? Complete this brief interest form by Monday, June 1st to receive more information about the application timeline and next steps.
Harnessing AI, Protecting Students: A Practical Guide to Ethical Guardrails for AI Usage in School Mental Health
AI is rapidly entering the K-12 landscape, presenting both unprecedented opportunities and profound ethical challenges for school mental health professionals. On March 13, 2026, Thriving Minds hosted a discussion on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in school mental health. his virtual workshop was designed to move beyond the hype and anxiety, providing a clear, actionable framework for making responsible, student-centered decisions. Participants learned how to navigate this new terrain with confidence and care.
Over the course of the 90-minute session, participants explored the critical intersections of technology, clinical practice, and policy. Presenters shared insights and tools needed to lead on this emerging issue, ensuring that innovation always serves the primary mission of protecting and supporting students.
Sign up for our mailing list to stay connected with us and to hear about future opportunities: