Looking to prioritize your mental health? Meet Samo's counseling groups
By Jadyn Miyahira, Staff Writer
During this time of isolation, cases of anxiety and depression are skyrocketing. Now, more than ever, it is necessary to give priority to mental health issues. From learning how to manage crises to creating art for self-empowerment, SMMUSD offers a plethora of counseling groups for high schools within the district via Zoom or Telehealth which all students are encouraged to explore. Students can visit Samo’s Wellness Services Center website to get in touch with a group or therapist.
Coping with Anxiety and Depression Group
The Coping with Anxiety and Depression Group focuses on destigmatizing these mental health issues and works to supply students with the skills to manage their symptoms.
“This pandemic has really exacerbated symptoms of anxiety and depression for many, if not all, students at Samo. Sometimes, as a society, we think that experiencing anxiety or depression at a young age does not make sense. However, we must be able to provide them with the right support and skills so they can manage their symptoms,” co-facilitator Yaneiry Barrios said.
This group is designed for students who would benefit from advice on how to deal with emotions, relationships and academic pressure by utilizing exercises such as mindfulness, safe discussions and cognitive behavioral therapy. Organized by Angelica Perales and Barrios, Social Work interns for the district, this group meets on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. online through Telehealth. Students must be referred to the group in order to join.
Healing heARTS—an Expressive Arts Counseling Group
The Healing heARTS 10-week counseling group utilizes art to explore modes of self-expression and overcome hardship. The first meeting took place on March 3, and students do not need to have an artistic background to participate.
Brought to Samo through Margaret’s Place, a program that provides schools with access to intervention and violence prevention services, this group applies different creative mediums to mental growth and healing and emphasizes the process, not the end result. Each week, students will be given a theme that they will address using an art piece they create.
“After the artwork is completed, students will be encouraged to share about their art process and frelections, if they feel comfortable doing so,” facilitator and Margaret’s Place counselor Beta Abdolahi said.
The group will be held via Zoom on Tuesdays during lunch, from 11:55 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. Interested students can contact Abdolahi directly at babdolahi@smmusd.org.
Community Circle for Students of Color
The eight-week long Community Circle for Students of Color group is designated for students who identify as people of color to share personal experiences and inspire one another.
The facilitators, Tracy Estrada Marquez and Mayra Garcia, interns from the Social and Emotional Wellness Initiative organization, will conduct team building activities, storytelling and question asking to empower participating students. Marquez also provides free individual counseling to Samo students. Meetings are held online via Telehealth on Tuesdays from 2:15 p.m. to 3 p.m.; the first meeting was held on Feb. 16. This group is looking for new members!
LGBTQI2-S Support Group
The LGBTQI2-S Support Group is here to provide a safe space for students who identify as LGBTQI2-S. Students will learn how to respond to stressful situations pertaining to gender identity and sexuality through discussions about self-discovery, the coming out process, etc.
“We love to incorporate art and music in everything that we do. We want to create a space to explore our various identities. The goal of We Exist is to make sure that LGBTQI2-S youth are supported and connected to any resources that they may need,” facilitator and health educator Gabby Villa said.
This group is organized through the Tarzana Treatment Center and We Exist, an organization whose mission is to support LGBTQI2-S students. Meetings are held through Telehealth on Tuesdays from 2:15 p.m. to 3 p.m. and will be ongoing. Students can join at any time. For additional information and resources, check out their Instagram @WeExist.ttc.
Positive Action—Substance Use/Abuse Support Group
The Positive Action group supports students who are affected by substance use or abuse. Participants will learn self-management methods, drug resistant strategies and how to react to substance-related situations.
This group is coordinated by Peter Bippus and Jackie Morris from CLARE Matrix, an organization that focuses on treatment and recovery. Meetings are held every Wednesday from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. via Telehealth. This group will be ongoing and students are welcome to come whenever they feel fit. To register, contact Bippus at pbippus@clarematrix.org.
Virtual Lunch Drop-In
The Virtual Lunch Drop-In group is not so much therapeutic as it is just a safe space for students to gather and engage with each other. All students are welcome to participate.
Formulated again by Margaret’s Place, Abdolahi will oversee the meetings where students can simply socialize and check in with their Margaret’s Place counselor. Occurring on Mondays during lunch on Zoom from 11:55 a.m. to 12:40 p.m., meetings are ongoing and are open to all students at any point. To join, students can contact email Abdolahi directly at babdolahi@smmusd.org.
