Sit Back with Fishback
Approximately one out of every five high school students between the ages of 12 and 18 suffer from at least one diagnosable mental health disorder (Adolescent Wellness Academy). Diagnosable mental health disorders encompass emotional, psychological and social well-being. Throughout the past year, mental health information has been more widely advertised throughout high schools. More than 80% of high schools across California are gradually implementing efforts to address depression and promote mental health awareness (Research and Development Organization). Aiming to provide more mental health care, the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District (PVPUSD) made the addition of another therapist available to students in need at Peninsula. The district works with Sage, a nonprofit therapy agency that contracts with local school districts, to provide temporary support for students who desire help.
The extended Sage therapist team now includes Megan Fishback. Fishback found a love for spreading mental health awareness during an internship that dealt with counseling high school students at her undergraduate college, Loyola Marymount University. She soon decided that studying counseling psychology was her passion and went on to pursue her master’s degree at Pepperdine University. With her master’s degree, she applied to be a part of the Sage therapist program, which led to her becoming a student support specialist at Peninsula. Fishback hopes to provide the support that students need while also educating those who want to understand more about mental health.
“I hope to support the students on a social and emotional level,” Fishback said. “I want to help students learn how to cope and undermine the inevitable stress that comes with being a student. While it may be hard sometimes, I will always be an available support network for those who are in need of one.”
Choosing the right Sage therapist includes an evaluation of how well the therapist would interact with the students and if they seem like they will positively impact the environment at school. If the potential therapist demonstrates an ability to sufficiently support young kids on a school campus, they will be moved through the initial panel process and assessed more thoroughly. Principal Brent Kuykendall proposed the addition of a new therapist at the start of this school year and enlisted the help of PVPUSD to execute the proposition. With the addition of Fishback, Kuykendall is excited to have three full-time therapists on campus now, who are readily available to help students throughout the school day. As a former student at Peninsula, he has also gone through the obstacles that current students endure, he wants to create an environment where students can feel comfortable sharing their struggles. He enjoys sharing his personal high school experiences with students who are struggling to assure them that they are not alone. Kuykendall hopes that Fishback’s extra support will help expand the safe spaces on campus where students can continue to nurture their mental well-being.
“The application of a new therapist [makes all the difference],” Kuykendall said. “Seeing as Peninsula has the reputation of being academically rigorous, I believe that the therapists are here to support more and more students. Each therapist [excels] in their own way and I am really appreciative of them.”
As Sage therapy has become more advertised to the students through bulletins or announcements in recent years, many have been able to begin attending sessions with student support specialists. Students can reach out to the specialists during school hours or chat with them individually through Microsoft Teams to schedule an appointment. The wellness center that the Sage therapists work in provides a welcoming space for students, as they have posters with positive aspirations and fidget toys for the students to play with. Junior Delany O’Connor reached out to the Sage therapist team in 2021 when she was having difficulty in her personal life. O’Connor understands the importance of a healthy mental mindset and is thankful for the therapists at Peninsula who cared for and listened to her.
“Ultimately I noticed the environment was very welcoming,” O’Connor said. “They were [tremendously] understanding of my situation and worked hard to provide help for me. As I went to the sessions more often, I felt more comfortable and [it has definitely] helped with my mental health.”
