Navigating adolescence can be a scary and challenging journey. As a sophomore in high school, Kevin* seemed fine on the outside, but emotionally, he was struggling. He had just started the school year when he found himself going through a rough breakup. Kevin’s mother could see the change in her son and worried about him constantly. He wasn’t excited about normal school activities or motivated in his school work.

As the weeks passed, one of Kevin’s teachers noticed an alarming piece of artwork on his desk: Kevin had sketched a graphic drawing pertaining to suicide. Recognizing immediately that the high schooler needed help, the teacher reached out to Kevin’s mom and referred Kevin to a StarVista counselor on campus at his high school.

Kevin started meeting regularly with the StarVista school-based clinician during the school day. Over time, he developed trust in the counselor and disclosed his feelings of depression. Kevin said that drawing was one of his coping mechanisms. By sketching, he could express what he usually couldn’t put into words, which helped him feel calm. Supported by the StarVista counselor, Kevin was able to talk about his suicidal thoughts and come up with a plan of action for how to positively address his depression. StarVista helped Kevin find a therapist outside of school with whom he felt comfortable, and collaborated with Kevin’s parents and the new therapist to create an action plan that would ensure the sophomore’s present and future safety.

Kevin continued to drop in to talk with the StarVista clinician when he needed support. He said the clinician made him feel cared for, taught him new tools and techniques to cope with his feelings, and helped him process stressors that he had not been able to before. The StarVista counselor also gave Kevin a sketchbook so that he could have a safe place to express his feelings, which Kevin found to be a great outlet for him.

StarVista’s School-Based Counseling program provides mental health services for students in over 40 elementary, middle, and high schools throughout San Mateo County.

Over time, Kevin’s drop-ins at the counselor office became less frequent. On the last day of school, Kevin came in after his last exam to thank the StarVista counselor for all of the help he had provided throughout the difficult year. He reported not feeling depressed anymore and had high hopes for his next year of school to be a positive one.

StarVista’s School-Based Counseling program provides mental health services for students in over 40 elementary, middle, and high schools throughout San Mateo County. Services include assessment, crisis intervention, individual and group therapy, family therapy, and consultation with parents, teachers, and other school staff. Last year, StarVista’s School-Based Counseling program served more than 1,600 students.
*Name changed to protect confidentiality