Pedranti and Warren: Students Supporting Students, Addressing Mental Health Advocacy in K-12 Schools in Orange County
Student-led mental health advocacy programs in Orange County schools have shown positive outcomes, with districts implementing peer-run initiatives to support students' well-being. According to Orange County Community Foundation's data, suicide is the leading cause of death in youth ages 10-14, highlighting the need for early intervention.
Mental health challenges are increasingly apparent in K-12 students. Orange County schools have begun advocating for peer-run programs to address this issue. The Orange County Department of Education Newsroom reported that student-led programs have been impactful and received a positive response from students. According to the Orange County Community Foundation, suicide is the leading cause of death in youth ages 10-14. Programs like Advance Peer Counseling at Oak Park High School and WellSpaces in the Irvine Unified School District have improved academic achievement and campus culture. Students have expressed a desire for more social-emotional lessons, and post-pandemic, mental health support in schools has become increasingly necessary, with CHOC seeing a 50% increase in crisis-level visits for youth.
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