Our very own Brendan Kells, VP of Education, and Dr. Cristofer Slotoroff, Pedagogy & Partnerships Manager, recently sat down with Stephen M. Woods and Jeffrey Barkin from the *A Healthy Conversation* podcast to explore a critical topic: the relationship between literacy and mental health. During this insightful conversation, they talked about the growing literacy gaps in our country and how these gaps impact students’ confidence, self-image, and overall mental well-being.

As Brendan and Dr. Slotoroff discussed, literacy isn’t just about reading — it’s deeply connected to critical thinking and neurological brain development. When students struggle with low literacy, they often experience a drop in self-confidence, which can contribute to mental health challenges. The Juice combats this by providing leveled, engaging ELA news articles and informational texts that help students not only improve their reading skills but also build a stronger sense of self-worth.

Our team shared how using The Juice to teach current events through accessible and relevant articles helps students feel more connected to the world around them. This connection boosts their engagement and motivation, fostering a positive learning experience that extends far beyond the classroom. By addressing both literacy and mental health, The Juice is committed to empowering students to feel confident and capable, ensuring they’re not only learning but thriving.

For more on how literacy impacts mental health and how The Juice is helping to close the literacy gap, listen to the full segment at the link below.

We know mental health suffers when students lose confidence. 

We talked about literacy gaps in our country and the correlation between literacy, critical thinking, and neurological brain development.

Listen to the full segment for more details about the ties between literacy and mental health.