San Pasqual Valley Unified District mental health support for students

WINTERHAVEN, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - The big question for student mental health support has been, “Are schools doing enough?”

It’s Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and San Pasqual Valley Unified District says it’s going to great lengths to make sure students feel safe and comfortable in and out of school.

Having emotions is okay but how we deal with them is what matters.

San Pasqual Valley says its initiative to support the student mental health crisis is nothing shy of an accomplishment.

The school superintendent, Dr. Katrina Leon, says kinder through eighth graders get time in the morning to reflect on their feelings.

Teachers guide students in finding the proper way to handle emotions and bring in an on-site counselor if needed.

High schoolers do this on a weekly basis.

The district says it has worked hard to normalize talking about mental health and break down the negative stigma surrounding it.

“Let us know how you feel, let us help support you," said Superintendent Dr. Leon. "So, can identify and are starting to identify and self-refer to the counselors and that’s what’s brilliant about it is because they feel so comfortable saying, ‘yes I’m having a problem in this area, I need to talk to you.’”

The school’s high school counselor, Sarah Chavez, says trusting our youth when they speak up about how they’re feeling is key.

“Sometimes as adults, you know, we can downplay what a youth is facing, some of their challenges ‘cause we think ‘oh we’ve been there and we got through it.’ Students face a lot of challenges and I think their voice matters, they need to be heard when they’re saying, ‘Hey I’m struggling or I’m anxious,'" said Chavez.

Because of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, San Pasqual Valley is instead recognizing “You Matter Month.”

Their elementary counselor, Jeanette Montgomery, says she works closely with students to make sure they are building confidence within themselves.

“We talk about how much they matter, we teach them affirmations, we teach them self-esteem, self-love, all those things that are so interrurual to building that relationship within themselves so that then they can have healthy and pathetical relationships with their peers," said Montgomery.

All of the staff is trained in social-emotional and mental health support and response.

Superintendent Dr. Leon says their efforts have shown decreased disciplinary referrals, an increase in attendance and overall academic improvement.

Mental health struggles are a growing issue and as a smaller community, we need to be there for each other.

If you or a loved one is facing a mental health struggle, you can dial 988 the Suicide & Crisis Prevention Lifeline.