As many students are now aware, the Wellness Center has undergone a transformation, relocating to a new location, adjacent to the agriculture building. Despite the move, the core mission of the Wellness Center remains the same: to provide unwavering socio-emotional support to Granada Hills Charter (GHC) students.
Wellness Center
We understand that this moment in our lives is unprecedented.
We are continuing to adjust to a new lifestyle with fluctuating policies, comfort levels, people, and milestones. Even though normalcy appears to be right around the corner, we want to assure you that we are still here to support you through this moment and beyond.
Bulletin Board
GHC's Wellness Center would like to remind you to watch the documentary, Screenagers Next Chapter: Uncovering Skills for Stress Resilience, over spring break. Dr. Ruston now shares the science behind our teen's emotional challenges, the interplay of social media, and what can be done in the environment to help teenagers build crucial skills to navigate stress, anxiety, and depression in our digital age. It is a film to encourage discussion and reflection between parents and students.
Join us on Thursday, January 27 at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom for a workshop about technology and mental health in tandem with the documentary, Screenagers. This workshop will be led by School Social Workers and they will be available for a Q&A afterward.
How our children relate to us as parents during times of stress and change shapes the structure of their brains, which in turn impacts them socially, emotionally and physically. Dr. Dan Siegel reminds us that we can foster secure attachment if we remember and practice the 4 “S”s. Our children need to be Seen, Safe, Soothed and Secure.
Wellness Links
Talk To Someone
We have a Mental Health Team that consists of eleven (11) Academic Counselors, two (2) Nurses, three (3) School Social Workers, three (3) School Psychologists, and one (1) Office Assistant. The following is our contact information. Please reach out to the person that is the best fit for your needs:
Physical:
- Crystal Ngo & Kimberly Tran; School Nurse: nurse@ghctk12.com
- Delma Gonzalez; Office Assistant: healthoffice@ghctk12.com
General Mental/Emotional/Social:
- Jacqueline Orcutt, Heliana Vargas, & Vicky Wen; School Social Workers: socialworkers@ghctk12.com
- Academic Counselors: Click Here to find your counselor
Special Education:
- Danette Cua, Veronica Elson, & Shandi Lopez; School Psychologists: specialprograms@ghctk12.com
Please be patient with us (between 1-2 business days) if you reach out via email. You may also call Granada’s main office to reach us by phone: 818-360-2361
We also do not want you to feel like there is little support outside of GHC, so these are additional, mental-health resources for you to utilize:
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24/7 National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988
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24/7 Text Crisis Line: 741741
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Teen Line: 1-800-TLC-TEEN (1-800-852-8336), in LA 310-855-HOPE (4673), in The Valley (818-432-2266); Sat-Sun, 6:00 PM-10:00 PM; a confidential telephone helpline for teenage callers.
LA County residents have unique access to mental health resources:
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Call Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health’s (LACDMH) 24/7 Access Line at (800) 854-7771 to learn more about site closures or to get mental health support. Additional mental health resources are also available on the LACDMH’s COVID-19 page.
Should you experience a psychiatric or medical emergency, please do not email us for help. Seek immediate assistance by calling 911. We are all in this together.
Suicide Prevention
A COMPREHENSIVE POLICY FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION, INTERVENTION, AND POSTVENTION: The Granada Hills Charter Governing Board recognizes that access to school based mental health services and supports directly improves students physical and psychological safety; enhances academic and cognitive performance; and support learning as well as social and emotional development. The Governing Board recognizes that suicide is a major cause of death among youth and that all suicide threats must be taken seriously. The Executive Director or designee shall establish procedures to be followed when a suicide attempt, threat or disclosure is reported. The school shall also provide students, parents/guardians and staff with education that helps them recognize the warning signs of severe emotional distress and take preventive measures to help potentially suicidal students. A copy of the GHC comprehensive policy is available on the School’s website.