10 • THE GRYPHON Fall/Winter 2021
FACULTY/STAFF SPOTLIGHT
BERNICE RUIZ Health Education Coordinator and School Counselor
Bernice Ruiz joined the CSW community in 2017, and she holds a number of important roles in the community. As the Health Education Coordinator to new students, she builds curriculum and programming for students as it pertains to their physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being. She also coordinates the Peer Mentor Leadership Program, which trains upper school students to help deliver the orientation program for new students through their first two mods at CSW. Lastly, but certainly not least, Bernice works as a Dorm Parent in Warren House, a role she says is one of her favorite parts about working at CSW.
WHY DO YOU DO WHAT YOU DO? Much of my motivation is influenced by my own long-held passion and interest in education. I’ve known I wanted to work with adolescents since I started doing so in my sophomore year in college. Whether it was leading students through the college application process, providing academic tutoring, teaching, or aiding inner-city students in applying for, receiving admittance to, and succeeding at college preparatory institutions, working with adolescents in various capacities has felt like a deep calling. It is an indescribable feeling knowing that you are supporting individuals through what is typically one of the most challenging and formative periods of their lives. WHAT MENTAL HEALTH TRENDS HAVE YOU WITNESSED AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN RECENT YEARS? It probably comes as no surprise that there is an increase in the number of adolescents reporting symptoms indicative that they are struggling with anxiety and depression. Indeed, anxiety and depression are mental health illnesses that typically present themselves in tandem, having debilitating effects on one’s ability to effectively move through this important time period called adolescence. I would say that eating disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD), and substance use disorders follow closely behind, although not necessarily in that order. What is important to point out is, not necessarily that there are more adolescents struggling with the aforementioned mental health issues, but that adolescents have become increasingly more comfortable with being open to discussing said issues and reaching out for support. More specifically at CSW, it has been incredible to witness the type of help-seeking behaviors exhibited by members of our student body. It has been encouraging to watch students consistently “show up” for one another by reaching out to their peers and/or trusted adults when they are worried about themselves or another student. CSW students are incredibly empathic and caring in that way, and that makes this school a truly special place to do this sort of important work. WHAT IMPACT HAS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAD ON STUDENTS’ MENTAL HEALTH? The COVID-19 pandemic has, understandably so, allowed for increased feelings of isolation for so many of us. For new students in particular, it has added new complexities and increased challenges to creating and sustaining authentic peer connections. For all students, it has led to a noticeable sense of loss. It is a loss for those students who have bravely chosen not to be on campus, for those who have had to forfeit whatever sense of a “normal” beginning to high school they may
