In an effort to address the pressing concerns of students and amplify their voices as stakeholders, Congressman Scott Peters recently convened a mental health roundtable at Bernardo Heights High School. The discussion, co-hosted by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Deputy Secretary Andrea Palm, aimed to tackle issues such as active shooter drills, cyberbullying, and mental health challenges that have become all too familiar for today’s teenagers.
Emily Entwistle, a senior at Bernardo Heights High School, recalled her early high school years when she was introduced to the Safe Promise Club, a student-led organization affiliated with the Sandy Hook Foundation. The club’s mission is to prevent school shootings, combat bullying, and raise awareness about suicide prevention. For Emily, it served as a stark reminder of the realities students face.
“This is the world that we have to live in, this is what we have to be preventing on a daily basis,” Entwistle expressed.
Kuana Aquino, another senior at Bernardo Heights, emphasized the constant vigilance students maintain due to concerns about safety. Active shooter drills have become a routine part of their education, leading them to meticulously assess their surroundings in each new classroom.
Recognizing the importance of addressing these concerns, Congressman Peters and Deputy Secretary Palm engaged in a roundtable discussion with students. During the conversation, students advocated for increased social media literacy education for adults, acknowledging the significant role that social media plays in mental health and suicide-related issues.
“I think social media plays such a huge part in mental health and the issue of suicide, and it’s something that our generation is familiar with in a unique aspect that maybe parents aren’t as much,” noted Entwistle.
Moreover, students called for enhanced educational resources aimed at parents to improve their understanding of mental health. They stressed that many individuals are apprehensive about discussing their mental health struggles, leading to internalization of emotions, which can contribute to the risk of suicide.
Recent data indicates that suicide rates among youth and young adults aged 10 to 24 have increased by at least 7% in the county, underscoring the urgency of addressing mental health concerns among this demographic.
Both Congressman Peters and Deputy Secretary Palm pledged to incorporate the students’ valuable suggestions into their efforts to enhance mental health services within schools. For the students of Bernardo Heights High School, the roundtable offered a ray of hope, as their voices were heard and their perspectives acknowledged.
“I’m just really grateful they were able to see the teenage perspective,” said Entwistle, reflecting the sentiment of many students appreciative of this opportunity to make their concerns heard.
