The Mental Wellness Movement is Real and Local – How You Can Support Youth and Families in Coronado

Coronado may be perfect and broadly well-off, but giving back has just as much impact in our community as it does anywhere else in the country. And because our interactions take place on an island, making a difference is all the more rewarding, with results you can see and a connection you can feel.

Our community is not without need. Coronado is more financially diverse than it first appears. Additionally, those who live here share many of the same mental health issues as others regionally and nationally. It might be hard to imagine, but wealth does not protect youth or mental health. Dr. Suniya Luthar’s studies have found that young people from affluent families are among the most emotionally distressed youth in America. She explains, “These kids are incredibly anxious and perfectionists, but there is contempt and contempt for the idea that kids who have all of this could be in pain.”

Reflecting on his work as a psychiatrist at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego over the past decade, Dr Benjamin Maxwell said: “The number of patients that we have seen once in a month, we could now see in one. daytime “. The statistics on youth mental health issues in America are rising dramatically and the youth of Coronado are not immune. The 2020 California Healthy Kids Survey asked the Grade 11 class at Coronado High School, “In the past 12 months, have you ever seriously considered suicide? »21% of the pupils answered« yes ».

Alarm and anguish can turn into hope and strength when young people and families have a safe place to be the best version of themselves. “I often hear from young people I work with, ‘I’ve never told anyone this before’ or, ‘This is the only place I can talk about it,’ said Julie Lai, AMFT and therapist at Safe. Harbor Coronado. “Our goal is to break down barriers, cultivate hope, and empower youth and families to be resilient and thrive. “

With 84% of counseling clients eligible for reduced fees due to financial hardship, Safe Harbor Coronado can provide a place where young people feel understood and empowered. This is due to the generosity of community members who donate. Safe Harbor fills a critical gap as the city’s only nonprofit that provides low-cost advice on a sliding scale, ensuring no one is turned down for financial reasons. “Many parents tell me that they have looked for help in dozens of places, only to find availability in months,” Lai said. “Sessions can cost hundreds of dollars, and many can’t afford it. We often hear a sigh of relief when we tell them what we can offer.

The pandemic has had a serious and widely documented effect on everyone’s emotional well-being, with young people feeling many of the most heartbreaking impacts. Mental Health America reports that throughout the pandemic, young people between the ages of 11 and 17 were more likely than any other age group to show signs of moderate to severe symptoms of anxiety and depression. Many young people can face several battles at the same time. Issues ranging from how they identify with struggles within family, social media, peer pressure, school, future aspirations and political tensions can all increase daily stress levels. Predictably, the transition out of the pandemic has been equally difficult to adjust to a new normal.

Whether it’s for counseling, a parenting workshop, or community education, Safe Harbor works proactively to reach those in difficulty before they go into crisis mode. As one parent said after a workshop, “I felt like I had tried everything. I was tired and exhausted. Safe Harbor gave me the tools to feel refreshed and confident.

If you or someone you know needs help on your wellness journey, contact Safe Harbor today.

You can be part of the mental wellness movement locally. This holiday season, will you help transform the lives of youth and families in Coronado? To donate, visit SafeHarborCoronado.org/donate; dial 619-522-6884; or send a check to Safe Harbor Coronado, 1009 C Avenue, Coronado, CA 92118. Remember to sign up for our email newsletter on our website and follow us on social media @SafeHarborCoronado. Let’s navigate life together.


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