CONNECTICUT: Meet Gizmo, the Therapy Dog behind a New, National Mental Health Curriculum for Kids

TODAY

An upstream suicide prevention curriculum is expanding across Connecticut schools. Featuring a therapy dog named Gizmo, the curriculum teaches elementary school students about mental health, life skills development, and social connectedness. “Gizmo helps children understand there are things they can do to help themselves when they feel sad, mad, or worried,” said Helen Pridgen, vice president of chapter programs for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Currently being used with more than 3,000 students in 100 Connecticut classrooms, Gizmo’s Pawesome Guide to Mental Health will be rolled out more broadly in the new school year.

Spark Extra! Watch our brief video to learn more about the program.