ONLINE OUTREACH
Text by MIA BALDONADO and EMILY YAO Art by SAMANTHA HO
WELLNESS CENTER DEPLOYS VIRTUAL FORMAT
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LOWING FAIRY LIGHTS en the completely different circumstances. shine down upon a friendly “What I miss the most is just getting room. A kitten climbs on a cozy to check in with someone, see how their sofa, while art and meditation day is going and knowing that they have resources adorn the walls. Crisis hotlines a safe space,” Wellness Outreach Worker and ways to set up appointments with a Whitney Aquino said. counselor are within easy reach. This is Palo Another challenge the team faces is Alto High School’s virtual Wellness Center. the inability to directly reach students. BeAlthough the on-campus Wellness fore, a student could walk into the Wellness Center is unavailable, the Wellness Team is Center and have a spontaneous meeting. still actively providing Now, prior commuresources for everyone The Wellness Center nication is a must. during the pandemic. “So a lot of it is a free, confidenWith plenty of online [the process of setoutreach, the team tial resource of really ting up meetings] is continues its pracstudent-driven,” wonderful people who very tice of checking in on Mental Health and students and being an are just here to listen Wellness Coordinaaccessible source for Elizabeth Spector without judgement.” tor well-being. said. “Once we reach For the Wellness out, students have to — WHITNEY AQUINO, Wellness Team, student outoutreach worker reciprocate and then reach remains just as we’ll send the link and important as before. Access to therapists, it takes more initiative.” counselors and psychologists for more tarDespite the obstacles of not having a geted support are made readily available physical Wellness Center, transitioning onthrough Google Forms and Zoom drop-in line has allowed for a new set of students hours. to reach out for help. Some students who These resources have been helpful to weren’t as comfortable asking for help in many students. According to a report given person have found the online format to be at a PAUSD School Board meeting on Oct. more approachable. 27, within the first nine weeks of school, “I felt like it’s more intimidating to the Wellness Center carried out 141 therapy sessions and 41 formal wellness referrals. Although these numbers are slightly below last year’s numbers, they are significant giv-
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28 DECEMBER 2020
actually go to the Tower Building and talk to the person there and set up a meeting,” junior Ashley Qiu said. “Whereas through the digital format — through just a signup form — you can get paired up with one of the coordinators and from there, you can talk it out and set up a meeting.” Although many aspects are unfamiliar, the Wellness Center hopes to provide a safe space for students. “No issue or anything is too small,” Aquino said. “They’re [students are] more than welcome to talk to someone and check in with someone. We’re here and available. The Wellness Center is a free, confidential resource of really wonderful people who are just here to listen without judgment and support students in any way they can.” v Crisis help lines and text lines - Crisis text line: Text HELLO to 741741 - Youth and Teen Suicide and Crisis Hotline: 888-247-7717 - Santa Clara County Suicide and Crisis Hotline: 855-278-4204 - RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-HOPE - Trevor Lifeline for LGBTQ+: 1-866-4887386 - Trevor: Text TREVOR to 1-202-3041200 M-F from noon-7 p.m. Pacific Time Find the Wellness Center at tinyurl.com/ palywellnesscenter. Drop-ins Mon-Thu 3-4 p.m. and Fri 11 a.m.-12:10 p.m.
