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In-school mental health support through The Bonner Academy at The Buckeye Ranch gave Martay the tools he needed to thrive. Heading into middle school, Martay began to experience challenges focusing in the classroom and navigating relationships with peers. He was grieving the loss of two of his biggest supporters, his grandfather and brother. When the COVID-19 pandemic happened in March of 2020 during his eighth grade year, those challenges only grew. 

During the pandemic, many youth struggled with severe mental health challenges  going from in-person to virtual learning, and Martay was no exception. Coupled with the tremendous grief he was experiencing, it was impossible to stay engaged while sifting through feelings of anger and sadness. He needed added support.  

“I was really struggling with online school … I just couldn’t focus,” explains Martay. “At some point I got really frustrated and ended up breaking the computer. From there, my grandma started researching options that would give me the help I needed.” 

Thankfully, in August of 2020, Martay’s grandmother and caregiver, Victoria, found The Bonner Academy at The Buckeye Ranch, which gave Martay the space to navigate his mental health challenges through the individualized, in-school mental health support he needed to be successful in a classroom environment. 

Understanding the Meaning of Mental Health 

“Before coming to The Bonner Academy, I didn’t even know what mental health was,” reflects Martay. “I’m glad I did learn about mental health. I’m still working on how to feel about it, but it is always something that’s in the background. I just always worried about it being viewed as a crutch or an excuse.”  

Thanks to his clinician, James, Martay received in-school mental health support he needed with his mental health, understanding that it was not a crutch. As he began to work with James, they quickly developed a deep bond and trusted relationship, which revealed additional challenges he was having at school before the pandemic and the loss of his brother and grandfather. James taught Martay how to tap into his strengths and manage his Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) diagnosis, as well as regulate his emotions day-to-day. 

Martay expressed to James that most days at school before coming to The Bonner Academy felt chaotic. He shared that he’d often get into fights, and often felt misunderstood by his peers and teachers.  

“The afternoons and the end of the days were the worst because I just struggled to focus,” shared Martay. “People at my old schools didn’t take time to understand what was causing that. They didn’t have the support staff to help me, but The Bonner Academy finally did.”

The Buckeye Ranch Difference 

Though it took Martay some time to trust James and his teachers at The Bonner Academy, gradually he began to learn that The Buckeye Ranch team members at The Bonner Academy were genuine about helping him succeed. 

The Bonner Academy at The Buckeye Ranch is a non-public charter school that provides integrated in-school mental health support and educational programming for students with mental health symptoms that affect their ability to function in their assigned school setting, home setting, and community. 

The Bonner Academy program focuses on both behavioral and academic goals, building upon students’ existing strengths. To reduce barriers to academic learning, students learn to manage symptoms and increase their level of functioning and stability so that they may return to their home school district. 

Thriving Thanks to In-School Mental Health Support at The Bonner Academy 

“When I first got to The Bonner Academy, I still wasn’t able to fully focus … I’d been out of school for a couple months, so the transition wasn’t easy,” explains Martay. “But, over time, I started to be willing to accept help from James and my teachers, and I started to be able to focus on my work. They were more open about routine compared to my old school, but they were always pushing us to do more. That really helped. It let me be myself and feel safe.” 

The individualized, in-school mental health support at The Bonner Academy at The Buckeye Ranch helped Martay to thrive. He learned how to understand his emotions, how to lean on coping strategies to regulate himself and step away from situations that make him feel dysregulated, and how to form healthy relationships with his peers. 

“I had a hard time with impulse control and controlling my temper and whatnot. It would sometimes get the better of me,” shares Martay. “But James and the staff really helped me with this. I’ll always remember them sharing ‘Comments don’t always need a reaction.’ To be honest, that became a motto for me, and I take that everywhere I go to this day.”

Finding Stability in Relationships 

Thanks to his growth, Martay has been able to form meaningful relationships that help him maintain stability in his day-to-day life. 

“When I came to The Bonner Academy, I saw the staff get along with each other and the kids. That modeled positive relationships for us,” shares Martay. “The Bonner Academy is a good place to be. For me, it was easy to be myself after I got to know the staff. The kids can be themselves here.” 

And thanks to feeling safe enough to be himself, The Bonner Academy also introduced Martay to his two best friends, Kevin and Richard. All clients of James’, the three boys became so close during their time at The Bonner Academy that the staff lovingly referred to them as the ‘Three Musketeers’.  

“Kevin, and Richard, and myself … we shared similar experiences of feeling misunderstood and bonded over that. We really grew together,” shares Martay. “I’m very lucky to have my friends, having both of them helped to change me into who I am now.” 

When Martay’s clinician James thinks about his growth and his ability to find stability in relationships today, he reflects. “I think having consistency and people that finally took the time to really understand Martay in a school environment really helped him. People finally started asking him the real questions to get to the root of what was causing so much pain and frustration.”

Martay spent two full school years at The Bonner Academy, growing alongside James. But, with his success, it came time for him to transfer out of The Bonner Academy and back to his home school district. 

Mastering Transitions 

Though Martay and his grandmother were nervous about the transition from The Bonner Academy to Martay’s new school, Focus North, they knew it was time for Martay to continue to grow in a larger school environment. The Bonner Academy at The Buckeye Ranch provides transition services as youth return to their home school district, so that they maintain their newly acquired skills and master the transition.   

James has no doubts that Martay has a bright future ahead. “From the day Martay and I started working together – the change and growth he’s made has been astronomical. He went from really struggling to stay inside a classroom to being the youth teachers described as their best student,” shares James. “He began taking on leadership roles at school and supporting other students. He’s opened up, relaxed, and has learned to be himself no matter what four walls he is in.” 

In making the transition to Focus North, Martay has experienced some challenges in adjusting, but he is able to navigate them and maintain stability. He’s even come to find out that he knows a few fellow students from his prior school and has been able to make a few new friends since starting classes in August of 2024. 

“I find it easier to manage my emotions and adjust to new spaces since I’ve left The Bonner Academy,” explains Martay. “I’m able to focus longer, I’m no longer getting into fights with peers, and overall feel calmer.”  

Changing the World  

Today, Martay is thriving. He is building community at Focus North, is doing well in school, and is making new friends while still maintaining relationships with Kevin and Richard. He’s also found a passion for storytelling – building out his own YouTube channel. But Martay’s real passion is helping others. 

“James and the team at The Buckeye Ranch have inspired me to become a Mental Health Specialist. They’re the whole reason I’m working toward the goal I’m working on right now,” shares Martay. “I would love to one day work for The Buckeye Ranch. I want to give back and help other kids that might be going through challenges I experienced. Every kid deserves to feel like they have someone to believe in them. To feel like they have genuine support systems in their life that allow them to feel like things will work out for them.”

When asked about what he’s most proud of about his healing journey, Martay believes that it is sharing his story to inspire others to feel supported and seek the help they need. “This moment right here … telling my story …  I didn’t think it would ever be me to be a success story. If it can be me, it can be any youth struggling. I hope that my message inspires other kids to be who they were meant to be, too.” 

For now, Martay is working towards graduating high school with plans to pursue higher education to one day make his dream of being a Mental Health Specialist at The Buckeye Ranch a reality. 

“When I graduate, I’m gonna think back about these times and how far I’ve come,” reflects Martay. “All I can do is be proud of myself for all the ways that I was able to change.” 

We could not be more proud of Martay for all he has accomplished, and The Buckeye Ranch team can’t wait to see his name come through as a future candidate for our team. 

To learn more about The Bonner Academy at The Buckeye Ranch, a program within The Buckeye Ranch’s Education-Based and Education Mental Health Services, visit our website. To hear more heartwarming stories of success from youth and families served by The Buckeye Ranch and stay up to date on our latest initiatives, sign up for our e-newsletter today.