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Healdsburg High staff describe growth and early results from student wellness center
Summary
Kim Harris and her team told trustees the HHS wellness center has provided roughly 300 counseling sessions this school year and that 104 different students — of about 500 on campus — used the center in the first semester; staff outlined brain-breaks, Mindful Mondays, a youth council and plans for parent education nights and a wellness website.
Kim Harris, a mental health counseling specialist working with the district wellness center, told trustees the program is already seeing steady use and early results. “Between myself and our mental health interns ... we've done about 300 counseling sessions so far this school year,” Harris said, and she reported that 104 different students accessed the center during the first semester out of roughly 500 enrolled on campus. Harris described the center's core services — 10–15 minute "brain breaks," structured Mindful Mondays during lunch, one-on-one check-ins, Spanish-language books and a youth council of about 22 students that includes two newcomers.
Trustees and attendees praised the program's student-facing work and partnerships. Esther Camacho, a mental health intern contracted to SCO, described supports for newcomers such as trauma-informed check-ins, linkage with teachers and family outreach. The board noted plans to expand parent education nights (the first event is scheduled for February in the high school library) and the creation of a wellness-center website so families and staff can more easily find resources. Kim Harris also said the center has begun partnering with PALS therapy dogs and wants to increase that presence on campus.
The presentation emphasized short-term, practical supports designed to keep students in class when possible and provide rapid emotional regulation. Trustees thanked Harris and her colleagues and encouraged community members to visit and learn more about the services offered.
