Advice on how to ask for help, develop confidence, and the importance of finding community will be discussed in this week’s panel discussion on empowering teens to navigate the changes as they graduate high school and enter adulthood were some of the topics covered.
The panel was hosted by StarVista, a nonprofit organization serving San Mateo County by providing counseling, case management, and crisis prevention programs. The organization highlighted the discussion, which provides insight and advice with a focus on mental health.
Taylor Coutts, panelist and program manager for StarVista’s Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Hotline, said it’s important to provide a space for students to discuss the challenges they may experience as they go through these life changes. said.
“We know that mental health is in many ways just as important, if not more important, than physical health, especially during times of transition, but it is often overlooked,” Coutts said. .
Lea Berhane, StarVista’s chief development, marketing and technology officer, said the event was created with students who don’t necessarily go on to higher education in mind.
“We treat and support young people with mental health in this field, and we need to support all young people, not just those who aspire to the Ivy League,” Verhane said. “We wanted this support to go to everyone.”
San Mateo County has some of the highest rates of self-harm in the state, and Coutts said this is in part related to the insurmountable pressure on Bay Area high school students to attend four-year institutions. He said that
“We do a very good job of encouraging and promoting the pursuit of higher education,” Coutts said. “There are few things in life that I value more than education and experience. But I cannot stress enough that there are many ways to achieve education and experience.”
Yvette Morales, panelist and StarVista Youth Health Ambassador, acknowledged how difficult it is not to get discouraged by the region’s intense competition. She said it’s important for young people to know how to take care of themselves and feel empowered to make decisions that are right for them.
“In many cultures, including mine, there is often this idea that prioritizing yourself is selfish and that makes it difficult to take care of yourself,” Morales said. “It’s important to remember that that’s not the case. That’s what I really want to emphasize.”
But this confidence is easier said than done, says StarVista panelist and mental health clinician Zaria Mekil. Mekile said adolescents face a lot of pressure when trying to figure out who they are, especially during important life transitions. She said finding a family of your choice can make a huge difference in feeling supported during this time.
Additionally, adults’ genuine curiosity about teenagers’ lives can go a long way in reducing these stress levels, Coutts said.
“There’s a lot of power in phrases like ‘Tell me more,'” Coutts says.
But she also acknowledged that sometimes young people don’t want to or don’t know how to ask for help or talk about how they’re feeling. Coutts said affirmations, such as her simple text messages and sticky notes on her mirror, are powerful.
“Given the circumstances, it may be easier to do activities that do not require face-to-face interaction, but they still provide unconditional support and presence for the young people in our lives. remains the same,” Coutts said.
Coutts also said it’s important for adults to practice encouragement and affirmation for themselves as well. She said it’s much easier for teenagers to consider something when they see it modeled in front of her.
Dr. Nancy Quiggle, StarVista’s director of early childhood and school-based services, says that ultimately, each person is unique, so mental health efforts should be driven internally. Masu. She said adults should sometimes take back advice and let teens figure things out on their own.
“Some of the happiest people are those who feel ownership and control over their lives and their life choices,” Quiggle says.
