At 14, Charlotte Peery dropped out of high school. Struggling with addiction and overwhelmed by her circumstances, she felt isolated. “I was battling with addiction, and once I decided I couldn’t go to school anymore, there wasn’t anyone around to say, ‘Let’s see what we can do,’” she recalled.
It took four years for Peery to return to school and enroll in an alternative education program. There, a counselor provided the academic and mental health support she needed to graduate. Now, Peery is working toward her bachelor’s degree in social work and has become one of Tehama County schools’ first certified wellness coaches.
“When I had the opportunity to apply to be a wellness coach, it was everything I’ve always wanted to do — to provide the support that I lacked when I needed it most,” Peery said.
As a wellness coach, Peery offers students nonclinical support, including quick check-ins, mental health screenings, referrals to specialists, and family outreach. She is part of the state’s $4.6 billion Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, which has funded the hiring and training of over 2,000 wellness coaches across California.
The program aims to address the increasing mental health challenges faced by students. A 2021 study found that 45% of California youth aged 12 to 17 reported struggling with mental health issues. In Tehama County, the situation is even more severe. The suicide rate is more than double the state average, and over a third of 11th graders report feelings of depression. Research also shows that children in rural communities, like those in Tehama County, are more likely to experience mental health and behavioral issues due to factors such as financial struggles and geographic isolation.
Savannah Kenyon, a local parent and education assistant, explained the challenges rural students face. “Our neighbors could be acres away, and we don’t know them by name — so there’s a lot less socializing,” she said. Many students in Tehama County come from families with addiction issues or have to take on adult responsibilities at home.
The county also faces significant poverty. Nearly 1 in 5 children live below the poverty line, and a third of children under 5 are affected. Tehama ranks sixth in California for the number of children who have experienced multiple adverse childhood events, such as abuse or neglect.
Wellness coaches like Peery and Jacque Thomas, another certified wellness coach, are key players in addressing these issues. They provide support that includes building coping skills and working on life skills. Thomas noted an increase in referrals for substance use intervention and, in response, both she and Peery underwent training in Mindfully Based Substance Abuse Treatment.
Peery’s work has also extended to running a 16-week curriculum in three schools and a juvenile detention center, teaching students how to identify and respond to issues like abuse and family trauma. She works closely with local organizations, including the Tehama County Department of Behavioral Health and Empower Tehama, to ensure students receive the help they need.
Peery’s approach involves not only providing immediate support but also building long-term networks of care. “I’m making connections with drug and alcohol counselors and becoming more aware of which clinicians are accepting new clients,” she said.
Thomas emphasized the importance of reaching students early. “We’ve been able to provide more services to the farthest outreaches of our community,” she said, noting that they now visit all 33 schools in the county.
In Tehama County, early intervention has become especially critical. When the pandemic caused school closures, many students missed key developmental milestones. Kenyon noticed that her daughter, who had been diagnosed with ADHD, struggled with social skills as a result. Early support, including screenings, counseling, and constant communication with teachers, helped her daughter manage her condition.
Research supports the value of early intervention. Studies show that combining school-based programs with family support can significantly reduce the risk of mental health issues later in life. The pandemic, however, intensified the mental health crisis, with many students missing out on necessary care.
Despite the support available, there is still a shortage of staff and resources. Thomas noted that the demand for wellness coaches is overwhelming, and at times, she has to skip lunch to fit in extra sessions. “I don’t want any one student to have to be on a waitlist,” she said.
The referral system also poses challenges. Schools often struggle to connect students to the right support, as the process can be time-consuming. Thomas hopes to see more schools with onsite wellness coaches to streamline the process.
In the fall, five additional wellness coaches will be added to elementary and middle schools in Tehama County, which Kenyon sees as a positive development for her daughter. “She’s been able to cope with feedback and express herself better,” she said, thanks to the support of counselors and wellness coaches.
With growing support and more professionals in place, the county is making strides toward improving mental health care for students, helping them feel more confident and supported in their educational journey.
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