Mental Health Emphasized By Santa Clarita High School Students, Staff After Years Of Difficulty

Due to the Saugus High School shooting, the COVID-19 pandemic and generally rising rates of depression and suicide, Santa Clarita Valley high schoolers and school staff are embracing mental health awareness.

Santa Clarita high school students and staff are embracing greater access to mental health treatment, due to events such as the coronavirus pandemic and the Saugus High School shooting.

“It was really hard to continue and act like nothing was happening, and just trying to teach ourselves lessons as if there wasn’t a deadly pandemic happening outside of all of our doors,” said Caylen, a student.

Many students have reported difficulties in staying focused due to the pandemic, and the effects of stress as a result of pandemic-related fears are addressed by organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

See Related: Public Calls For In-Patient Teen Mental Health Unit At Henry Mayo

“It’s hard when you’re not in the classroom, interacting with your peers and forming those relationships with your friends and teachers,” French teacher Ashley Rubay noted.

Many high schoolers have commented on the differences between pre and post-coronavirus school experiences.

“Things like senior graduation, proms or rallies, all of those events are sort of what’s promised to you as a final congratulations for finishing four years of high school,” Caylen said. “And to get that taken away was definitely difficult. Graduation, we drove up to get our diplomas like a Jack in the Box drive-through.”

Recently, community members and other organizations have urged the Santa Clarita City Council to approve the creation of a teen mental health unit at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital to address the sorts of issues these students are concerned about.

“So with our youth, it’s important for us to start front-loading the services at our schools and actually letting our parents know what is available because right now our youth are struggling,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor Kathryn Barger.

Saugus High School specifically has several measures put in place for mental health purposes, according to staff.

“Our wellness center is open to anyone who needs a break, is feeling overwhelmed, needs to talk to somebody, to come and decompress and gather themselves,” Saugus High School choir teacher Kaitlin Holt said. “You can attend the wellness center by filling out a ‘serenity space’ request form on your phone and then asking your teacher to leave class to attend a serenity space.”

For more information on local mental health and wellness resources, click here.

Anyone seeking information about mental health resources available in the Santa Clarita Valley can check here for a list of resources. There are 24-hour phone numbers available. In the event of an emergency, 911 should always be the first call. Those looking to speak with someone can call:

• 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

• 1-800-854-7771 for the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health

• 1-800-784-2433 for the Treatment Advocacy Center

• 661-259-9439 for the SCV Child & Family Center

• 661-288-4800 for the Santa Clarita Valley Mental Health Center

• 661- 765-8445 for Insight Treatment Santa Clarita

• 800-852-8336 for the Teen Line Peer Suicide Prevention 6-10 p.m.  or text TEEN to 839863

• 1-866-488-7386 for the Trevor Project LGBTQ suicide helpline

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