LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Students, educators and community members gathered at Chaparral High School Tuesday evening for a discussion focused on mental health and the resources available to students across the Clark County School District.
The panel, organized by Clark County School District Trustee Linda Cavazos, featured students and school staff speaking about the challenges many students face and the importance of making sure support systems are accessible.
“I felt that this was extremely important to do because I can’t ignore what my constituents are asking me,” Cavazos said. “And I wanna tell you that the most emails and most communications that I get about mental health, they’re from the students.”
Three students helped lead the conversation, sharing their experiences and emphasizing the importance of checking in with peers and creating open conversations about how students are feeling.
“For me personally with my classmates, it comes up pretty often, especially for me, I like to know how others are feeling, how their days are going, and just overall how they feel,” said Chaparral sophomore Daniel Mentado. “And I want them to know that if there’s anything going on that they can always talk to me.”
Educators also spoke about the need for schools to respond when students say they need additional help, whether that support relates to academics, extracurricular activities or other stressors.
“It’s important that we listen to students and we hear them and that we act on what they’re telling us,” said Jayme Rawson, an achievement coach at East Career Technical Academy. “And so when students are telling us that they need additional support, we have to be ready to give that support. When teachers are saying they need additional support, then we have to be willing to answer that call and provide that support.”
Students on the panel said it’s also important for their peers to understand the different outlets available if they need help.
“We want our students at all schools throughout our school district to be well aware of the outlets that they have throughout our school districts, whether it be for help through school or for mental health issues,” said Chaparral senior Abigayle Donham.
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Cavazos said conversations like the one held Tuesday are meant to help families better understand how to recognize when a student may be struggling and what resources may be available to help.
“We have to realize that it’s not just about tests. It’s not just about grades. It’s just not about reaching a certain point,” Cavazos said. “It is about looking at each child as a unique individual and what their needs are.”
Rawson said students should feel empowered to keep speaking up until they receive the help they need.
“Advocating for ourselves is something that could set us apart in a very competitive world,” Rawson said. “But I also know that sometimes just communication breakdowns happen, so I want kids to feel empowered to keep speaking until they get the support they need.”
Students echoed that message, encouraging classmates to check in with one another and start conversations if someone seems to be having a difficult time.
“I think it’s really important for students to know matter what you’re doing at the moment to always be like, ‘Oh hey, maybe you weren’t here yesterday, what’s going on? You want to talk about it?’” said Chaparral junior Izabella Vargas.
Cavazos said she and the district’s superintendent are working with principals across the district to ensure campuses have the staffing and resources necessary to support students.