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Students urge action on youth mental health during school spotlight
Summary
Four students at a Western Placer Unified board meeting delivered prepared speeches urging earlier, accessible mental‑health supports, de‑stigmatization, and adult modeling of vulnerability; staff presented certificates recognizing public‑speaking excellence.
Four students used the board’s “school spotlight” to press trustees and administrators to treat youth mental health as a priority and to make support easier to access. Mikaela, introduced by staff as a Lincoln High School student, told the board: “There is a youth mental health crisis in America,” and described repeated emergency visits, hospitalizations, and the barriers of cost, stigma and access that leave many teenagers without timely care. She said repeated crises make treatment feel like “containment instead of healing” and asked trustees, “If you were us, would you feel safe?”
Chris Pruitt, who said his research focuses on teen supports, urged small, low‑barrier interventions and described an app he developed, HABIT, as a bridge to help students form “if‑then” plans for moments of stress. “The answer isn’t telling students to speak up. It’s making it safe too,” he said. Other student speakers framed unity and critical thinking as part of school culture and described how adults’ behavior sets norms for whether students will seek help.
Staff presented certificates and pins recognizing the students’ public‑speaking achievements across the district; Lisa Wilkins of Friends of Sacramento Arts later presented honoraria and thanks to teachers and volunteers who support arts education. Trustees thanked the students and said staff will carry their comments into upcoming reviews of student supports.
