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Candidates propose more counselors, earlier interventions to address student mental health
Summary
At a Durfee High student forum candidates said the district should expand mental-health staffing, train staff in mental-health first aid and start supports in early grades; several candidates cited pandemic effects and family stressors.
Students asked candidates about teen mental health after moderators cited a national youth risk survey. Candidates agreed rates of sadness and hopelessness among teens are concerning and described ideas to expand supports.
Anna Riley said the district should ensure “mental health counselors in our schools” and recommended training staff in mental-health first aid so teachers can notice concerns early. She noted the district already uses an online service called Cartwheel and recommended pursuing additional grant-funded supports.
John Sylvia and others said COVID-19 exacerbated student depression and recommended encouraging club participation and peer relationships. Sylvia said joining clubs ‘‘helped me’’ when he was quiet in high school. Randy Dudek and Mark Malecon offered personal perspectives: Dudek said he had experienced depression and described it as growing since the COVID lockdowns; Malecon said listening and fellowship were important for students who feel lonely.
Thomas Corey, a retired educator, cited school programs and practical safety measures such as metal detectors and pouches, while several candidates emphasized the role of families and broader economic stability in student well-being. Kevin Aguilar recommended starting supports in younger grades and noted the district has brought in outside agencies for group work; Dias emphasized leadership by adults and enforcement of supportive policies.
Candidates’ proposals centered on staffing more counselors and adjustment counselors, training staff to recognize warning signs, expanding early-grade supports and increasing extracurricular engagement. No candidate provided a detailed staffing formula or new budget commitment during the forum.
