Palo Alto High School’s Wellness Center aims to continue its partnership with a local grief counseling service and expand their mental health programs to benefit a wider range of Paly students.
Mental Health Specialist Andrea Barker said that Paly’s wellness team has been trying to amplify the Wellness Center.
According to Barker, the Wellness Center also has launched a new initiative, playing videos where a therapist introduces art as a way to meditate.
The Wellness Center is also offering weekly PRIME sessions on topics including mindfulness, confidentiality and some fun activities intermixed, Barker said.
“Our overarching goal for every student is that each of you feels that there’s a space on campus where you can be supported no matter what your day looks like,” she said. “We kind of want to be there just as your support, to process some of that hard stuff in life and to make sure that everyone feels that sense of belonging here.”
Paly has also been partnering with Kara, a local grief counseling service. Barker said that Paly is planning to continue this partnership in the future. Kara shows up at Paly as its services are needed.
“If a student or a family has a specific need, then we refer to them and make sure that they get those needs met,” Barker said.
Barker hopes that these changes will make the center a safe and accepting space for all students.
“So when you come into the center, we’re really trying to make it an intentional space where you can access resources in order to de-stress and to regulate so that you can be the most successful as possible in the classroom,” Barker said. “You walk up those steps and you belong and you can get the support that you need.”
Paly student Giselle Santacruz Vieyra said that she has been enjoying some of the recent extensions of the Wellness Center, including recent PRIME sessions.
“They have some pretty cool activities, I’ve done pins for backpacks and stuff,” Vieyra said. “It’s pretty cool.”
