Mental health has always been a difficult topic of discussion, but LAUSD has partnered with its schools to increase mental health awareness and support among its students and staff.
According to one of the school’s psychiatric social workers (PSWs), Ms. Karina Lares, the district has held assemblies that give students important information on topics such as mental health.
“This school year there have been several assemblies such as the suicide prevention assembly and the violence prevention assembly,” Ms. Lares said. “These assemblies are organized by the district and led by administrators to educate students on certain subjects. »
These assemblies are part of the Every school is safe: a safety plana new plan the district implemented for the 2023-26 school years to improve student safety and well-being.
One section of this plan is titled Student Health and Well-Being, which includes plans to help students with their mental and physical health. In this section, LAUSD said there are now hundreds of PSWs and 19 mental health clinics throughout the district, as well as a mental health assessment team that all LAUSD members have access to.
Apart from what has been stated in the plan, there are also other resources available on the site. LAUSD website.
With these additional resources, LAUSD students now have access to a wide range of information and support for managing their mental health.
Lares said this increase in resources is crucial to helping students find better ways to manage their mental well-being.
“In the current climate we live in, students face many stressors. So I think it’s important to have that awareness and support,” Ms. Lares said.
Although LAUSD has taken steps to support students’ mental well-being, mental health has not always been openly discussed in schools.
“When I was in school, mental health wasn’t really talked about and it was a really big need in the school I went to,” said PSW Ms. Katherine Stockly. “That’s one of the reasons I wanted to work in a school, because I think it’s important to have these conversations with students. »
Ms. Lares shared that she had a similar experience throughout her school life.
“I attended an LAUSD school from elementary to high school and I don’t remember having conversations about mental health or having things like PSWs or support counselors,” she said.
The lack of discussion about mental health only compounds the stigma that already surrounds the topic.
“One of the biggest barriers to getting mental health support is the stigma surrounding it. The more we talk about it, the more comfortable people will feel about getting mental health support” , explained Ms. Lares.
LAUSD is now taking the initiative to break this stigma surrounding mental health, which makes Ms. Lares extremely happy.
“Knowing that there is this level of support now makes me feel whole, but there is always a need for more,” Ms. Lares said.
