Wellness Mental health counselor Ms, Landaros hosted a mental fair in the MPB on Friday January 26. The sole purpose of the event was to bring businesses around Merced county and Los Banos to give opportunities to students about mental health and bringing awareness.

Ms. Landeros saw an importance for students. She said, “Being in a small community, support is minimal, high school is a good start to teach people that it’s okay to talk to people that want to help you when it’s needed most.” 

Being a high school student can be a stressful time for many with many pressures. Being introduced to a new school for the upcoming freshman can also be a lot. Or being a senior and dealing with figuring out what you’re going to do when you grow up and choosing colleges. 

High school is the last four years a person has till they are introduced into the “real world” and that can be hard to deal with at times and people situations. With things happening at home to some students can be even more stressful with them trying to keep up with school.

According to (www.crossrivertherapy.com/student-stress-statistics) “around 45% of students  in high school admit to being stressed almost every day in school. 61% of teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17 feel stress over producing satisfactory grades.” This could cause trauma to some students and also make students feel like giving up with school and not show up. 

Mental health is a big thing in this world and students don’t know how to deal with it till their older years or till it’s too late.  High school could bring other causes of mental problems like physical, mental, Verbal abuse. Some students struggle from toxic relationships or even being frowned upon because of who they like or what they do to their body.  

At the mental health fair everything was provided with all those examples. Two of which being Sierra Vista and River Vista, both providing children and family needs. River Vista is one that has 24/7 care and helps form anything from depression, to anxiety or even behavioral issues.

Everything at the fair was well put together and a lot of good information was handed out to students. Ms, Landeros said, “Mental health is important in everyone’s lives and I want students of LBHS to understand that help is around and counselors like Ms. Flora are always around to get students back to being their best selves and having someone to talk to.” 

Mental health is truly a big deal and if you feel like yourself or someone you know needs to talk to someone about it, here are six different phone numbers to look into. 

{River Vista-Behavioral Health-(559)603-6000)}

{Sierra Vista-Child and Family services-(209)205-1058)}

{Merced County Behavioral Health and Recovery services-(209)381-6800)}

{LGBTQ+ safe pace-(209)749-2951)}

{Aspiranet- Youth Crisis Stabilization Unit-(209)626-4420)}

{Charlie Health-How to talk about Suicide-(866)491-5196)}