The fight to raise awareness in teen mental health

According to the Imperial County Behavioral Health Services, almost one out of four students have suicidal thoughts.

One high school in Imperial Valley is making sure their students don’t become just another statistic.

Ruben Valenzuela was a biology teacher at Southwest High School when one of his students took their own life.

“I felt like I had failed. Cause I didn’t see it. And I just wish I would’ve had the knowledge back then that I have now. And maybe we could have saved his life. And unfortunately, we didn’t,” said Valenzuela.

Now the school’s athletic director, Valenzuela recalls the last words he said to the student.

Valenzuela said, “I remember the Friday before saying to that student, ‘Have a great weekend and he just said, ‘You too Mr. Valenzuela.’And I never saw him again.”

Southwest High School’s HOSA chapter, a group for students who plan on pursuing a career in healthcare, joined the Imperial County Behavioral Health Services to bring awareness to students of the help available.

“Once the signs progress that’s when it’s dangerous. That’s when there’s the risk. We want to nip it in the bud and make sure that people can know that they have resources and know that there’s nothing wrong to talk about,” HOSA student Simran Singh said.

Educators are also getting the proper training to help students who are struggling with mental health.

HOSA advisor Jackie Valadez said, “Our staff are the first line of recognizing mental health crisis in students. And so if we have the training then we can be more aware and refer them to the appropriate mental health professionals.”

But the fear of stigma and being labeled has left students to keep their problems to themselves.

Imperial County Behavioral Health manager Scott Dudley said, “Even if they’re really suffering, are reluctant to receive treatment because there’s a certain negative labeling sometimes that comes with mental health treatment. So people walk around really hurting, with care that is available and supportive and works but they don’t access it because of stigma.”

To reach as many people as possible, HOSA and Behavioral Health are setting up their booths at football games.

Singh added, “When people came over it just felt amazing to be able to have people recognize signs and be able to say ‘Oh my gosh, I’m going to take this to my friends’ because you know that even if it’s not tomorrow, even if it’s not next week eventually they can help save a life even if it’s their own.”

Having someone their age at information booths have been essential when reaching students.

“You want someone who knows the struggles that you’ve been through and who knows how you feel,” said Singh.

In a busy world, a parent checking in with their child can make a huge difference.

Jamie Jungers, a parent whose child is a student at Southwest High School said, “I have the luxury of being there when they get home from school and ‘How was your day?’ and ‘What’s going on and ‘How are you doing in class?’. Just those few minutes is important to me as a mom.”

Southwest High School hopes that working with Behavioral Health will be a solution to a national epidemic for high school students.

Valenzuela said, “With what we’re trying to do and get the word out I think it’s fabulous. And hopefully, nobody ever has to experience what I did as a teacher.”

If you or anyone you know is suffering from mental health problems you can call the Sure Helpline Crisis hotline at (760) 352-7878 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.