Since opening last August, Our Place at El Segundo High School has become a welcoming and calming spot for students to invest in and find support for their mental health and wellbeing.
The room was designed with comfort and relaxation in mind, offering students a variety of seating options, including beanbag chairs and assorted furniture. The space features a main room and three additional spaces to provide individuals with options for a quiet place to relax, reset, or even take an exam, if necessary.
Inside the center, students encounter a variety of activities and materials to help them with challenges like depression, anxiety, stress, drug abuse, adjusting to high school, and social media. Students also have access to a variety of support services, such as individual and group counseling, teacher consultations, and topic-related groups.
Recently, several enthusiastic and dedicated students were selected to serve as peer-counselors for Our Place. They’re currently undergoing orientation and training, and will soon begin serving in a peer-to-peer support role.
ESHS School Psychologist Jan Van Horn said the wellness center is filling a critical role on campus.
“It is wonderful that students are able to access immediate crisis intervention resources and support right here on campus,” said Van Horn. “With the addition of Our Place, students are able to get the support they need instantly, without having to wait for my schedule to open up. We are seeing both students and staff use this valuable resource, and it has made a positive impact on our school community.”
The wellness center also has opened opportunities for partnerships with community organizations. This year, the district began working with Blue Line Dog Therapy, which visits the school one to two times per month. The organization brings Macy Gray, an Australian Retriever, and her partner, Carol, to provide animal therapy services for students. Blue Line Dog Therapy has committed to providing a therapy dog for Our Place every other week for the remainder of the school year.
The pandemic intensified mental health struggles, especially among teens and young adults, emphasizing the critical need for comprehensive and accessible support systems. This wellness center aims to provide a holistic solution for the mental health struggles faced by ESHS students.
Initiatives like Our Place emphasize the El Segundo Unified School District’s ongoing commitment to the success and wellbeing of its students. This focus on comprehensive wellness positions students to excel both in the classroom and beyond.