Turning a New Leaf
At academically rigorous schools like Peninsula, students face a multitude of challenges, including mental health issues. The therapists in the SAGE therapy program on campus are available throughout the school day to help students battle these mental health problems; however, many students still do not want to take advantage of the services offered by SAGE therapists for a multitude of reasons, which range from not feeling comfortable with seeking help to believing that their problems are not big enough to warrant meeting with a counselor. The newly formed SAGE Advisory Group, run by high school students, aims to address this problem and help others feel comfortable with asking for and accepting help from the SAGE therapists. Led by senior Sydney Iravanchy, the advisory group aims to inform students about activities and mental health resources organized by the SAGE therapists by planning mental health events on campus with the goal of reducing the stigma surrounding mental health assistance.
The SAGE Advisory Council has received widespread support since students learn more about SAGE through social media and activities, such as presentations for students and parents and holiday events. While working as a student board member for the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District (PVPUSD) Student Council, Iravanchy noted the results of a survey taken by the Palos Verdes Board of Education which show that 99% of high school students in PVPUSD are aware of SAGE therapy but only 40% feel comfortable reaching out to the counselors. These activities hosted by the group will help students feel comfortable coming to the therapist’s office for advice or routine meetings.
“The SAGE Advisory Group [was] created to reinforce the reputation of the SAGE therapists on campus and to destigmatize seeking [out] mental health help,” Iravanchy said. “This way, we can create a better environment on our campus where more students know how to access our mental health resources and the [assistance] our SAGE therapists offer.”
Principal Brent Kuykendall works very closely with the SAGE therapists, and he wants more students to take advantage of the services they offer. He believes the SAGE Advisory Group is much needed since it will help bring light to the benefits students gain through talking to SAGE therapists, including avoiding potentially harmful situations students may be in.
“[The hope is that the SAGE Advisory Group will help students get in touch with] the SAGE therapists so they can step in,” Kuykendall said. “I have seen emergency situations where we have had a student in a space that was potentially unsafe for them. The SAGE therapists addressed the scenario with parents and with staff to create a plan to support them through that stressful time and that was amazing to watch. I have seen this a number of times and it breaks my heart that our students are going through that, but I am also super proud of our SAGE therapists.”
High school can be a difficult time for students, so it is important for students to know what resources, such as SAGE therapy, are always available for them. The SAGE Advisory Group will have a wellness center and organize fundraisers in order to create awareness. In the future, Iravanchy is determined to inspire more students to visit the SAGE therapists and learn about the opportunities available within the counseling community. Sheree Risley Aragon, one of the SAGE therapists, believes that receiving input from students like this student-run group, rather than adults, helps the counselors improve students’ experiences by focusing on what they as a group are struggling with.
“The SAGE Advisory Group and us (SAGE therapists) want to spread awareness about mental health and let students know that they can drop-in even if they are overwhelmed [about] that day or that week,” Aragon said. “Hopefully with the help of the Advisory Group, students [will take advantage of our services so] we [can] help them with time management and [let] the student body know that [there is no problem too small to receive help]. They can come in for everyday little stressors and we can help them navigate through that.”
