Funding support of teen mental health services for all high school students within the District in partnership with San Mateo Union High School District and Stanford’s Center for Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing.

Teen Mental Health Project

The District is committed to addressing the unprecedented youth mental health needs facing young people.

Our investments in programs, services, and projects aim to:

• Improve the system of care for youth and young adults
• Remove barriers to accessing mental health services and supports
• Improve early identification of mental health diagnosis
• Reduce stigma surrounding mental health
• Ensure youth/young adult voice are at the forefront of program development, implementation and ongoing program delivery

Below are examples of programs and District investments that address youth mental health needs in the community:

Teen Mental Health Project – Partnership with San Mateo Union High School District and Stanford Center for Youth and Mental Health and Well-being

The Peninsula Health Care District Board of Directors partnered with San Mateo Union High School District and Stanford’s Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Center from 2016-2019 to develop and launch a school-based teen mental health model that:

1. Identified problems early
2. Got students needed help promptly
3. Improved coordination between school providers and parents

The District committed $1.5 million to this project, which served seven high schools and 8,500 students. PHCD funding supported three new Health and Wellness Coordinator positions responsible for developing and implementing a multi-tiered system of wellness and mental health supports, training for staff, developing wellness activities and interventions, and collecting pertinent data.

Approved Metrics and Progress Reports

• Year 1 Progress Report and Metrics
• Year 2 Progress Report and Metrics
• Year 3 and Final Executive Summary
• 3 Year Final Report- Full

We are very proud to report that since the end of the pilot project period, the school district has continued to fund this program. Learn more about the Mental Health Program at San Mateo Union High School District.

Gardner Center Study

Peninsula Health Care District Board of Directors has partnered with the John W. Gardner Center at Stanford to conduct a year-long study examining 5th-12th grade data to evaluate and identify opportunities for mental health services and communications to improve student transitions from elementary through middle to high school. The study brief was presented to the PHCD Board of Directors at its January 23rd, Board Meeting. The final report and executive summary can be found below. The next step is to integrate the findings into the next phase of our investment strategies. The Board will be holding a study session in the coming months.

Peninsula Health Care District Youth Advisory Group

Meet our 2020-2021 Youth Advisors

Grace Alexander

Age: 17
Hometown: Hillsborough, CA
Current School: Hillsdale High School

I love doing crafts, cooking, and exploring new places. I also enjoy being outside and spending time with my family and friends.

I joined the PHCD allcove Youth Advisory Group in order to advocate for youth in the community and make a difference in their lives. Additionally, I wanted to be a part of the movement to end the stigma surrounding mental health.

Chiroshree Das

Age: 17
Hometown: Foster City
Current School: San Mateo High School

I like to dance, do karate, read, listen to music, and hang out with my friends 🙂

I joined the YAG because I am passionate about mental health support. I do have lived experience with mental health and I want to be the person that I needed when I was younger for people who are struggling with it now.

Andre Escobedo

Age: 17
Hometown: Burlingame, CA
Current School: Burlingame High School

I am very much into sports–I play soccer but like all sports in general. I tend to look for group activities and being around others when I am doing anything.

PHCD is giving me the opportunity to expand a branch of my interest. Alongside the message that PHCD presents that youth should help youth, my own experience in high school makes me feel connected with its mission

Briana Fernandez Diaz

Age: 21
Hometown: San Mateo
Current School: San Francisco State University (SFSU)

Interests and hobbies: Some of my interests and hobbies consist of free writing, conducting research, hiking, using makeup as a creative escape, listening to music, spending time with family, baking, starting new projects, and meeting new people. Above all, my number one interest is showing up for people who need my assistance. 

Why did you join the PHCD allcove Youth Advisory Group? As a member who resides and grew up in the San Mateo community, I highly care about what our youth has to say and what their needs are. Growing up in San Mateo, I often felt that my experiences and needs were not of high importance because I was young. However, that inspired me to voice and address the needs of our youth so that we can revolutionize and normalize mental health. 

Joseph Finklang

Age: 19
Hometown: San Mateo
Current School: College of San Mateo

Interests and hobbies: I enjoy going on hikes and taking in the views of the Bay Area as well as playing ultimate frisbee. While staying home, I am always looking for a new great movie to watch and pass the time with music or video games.

I joined PHCD allcove Youth Advisory Group because of my interest in mental health and desire to give back to my community. Through my lived experience with mental illness, I have discovered the need for a community focused approach in uplifting the mental wellbeing of everyone.

Zachary Gratch

Age: 18
Hometown: Burlingame
Current School: Burlingame High School

Interests and hobbies: I play water polo, surf, run, and swim. If I’m not at the beach or in the pool, I’m with friends or most likely taking a nap.

Allcove is a way to positively benefit my community. At YAG, we can ensure that the mental health needs of our community are met. PHCD sets ambitious, necessary goals and makes results attainable. I want to help.

Olivia Jensen

Age: 16
Hometown: San Mateo, CA
Current School: Aragon High School

Interests and hobbies: I love visiting tide pools, taking care of my plants, reading, and meeting new dogs.

I am incredibly passionate about mental health, specifically making sure that it is accessible to all who need it. I joined the Youth Advisory Group to ensure that kids like me have a safe space to access mental health treatment.

Kayla Johnson

Age: 17
Hometown: San Mateo
Current School: Hillsdale High

Some of my interests and hobbies are creative writing, reading and music.

I joined YAG because I’m both passionate about mental health and have firsthand experience with the struggles of finding resources when dealing with struggles mentally, and I believe in making the world a better place in terms of mental health care.

Amara Kramer

Age: 16
Hometown: Foster City, CA
Current School: San Mateo High School

Interests and hobbies (1-2 sentences): I enjoy art, such as going to museums, painting, and watercolor!

I joined because I wanted to make a positive impact in my community and being in YAG would help me tell my personal stories around mental health as well as give others a platform to share theirs.

Maile Sit

Age: 17
Hometown: Foster City
Current School: Saint Francis High School

Interests and hobbies: I love reading new books and listening to music with my friends! My favorite book I’ve read is called “We Were Liars” and my favorite musical artist is Tame Impala.

I joined PCHD Allcove YAG because I have seen the detrimental effect mental health stigma has on my community. Joining YAG has allowed me to speak for those who may be suffering in silence, and be a light to those in times of darkness.

Jessilyn Texidor

Age: 17
Hometown: Burlingame
Current School: Burlingame High School (and Middle College @ CSM)

Interests and hobbies: I like being creative, so when I have free time I’ll either sculpt with polymer clay, draw, write, or sing. I also really like dessert, so I bake whenever I can!

I joined YAG mostly because of my own mental health struggles. I always wished I would have intervened earlier, but I never had enough information or resources, so when I heard about YAG and how it plans to change that for young people in our district, I knew that I couldn’t just sit back.

Joseph Tom

Age: 17
Hometown: Burlingame, CA
Current School: Mills High School

Interests and hobbies: I enjoy being in creative spaces. Because of this, I’m usually drawing and playing music during my free time.

I joined PHCD allcove YAG to learn how to be a stronger mental health advocate for myself and others.

Peninsula Health Care District (PHCD) has launched a Youth Advisory Group to help develop District initiatives that are relevant and effective for youth and young adults. The Youth Advisory Group will ensure youth voice is at the forefront of Peninsula Health Care District’s initiatives relating to youth and young adults.

Responsibilities of Youth Advisors

• Provide input on young people’s mental health needs
• Brainstorm ideas on how PHCD programs can best serve young people
• Inform the development of a new allcovecenter and related programs in PHCD
• Participate in community education activities such as health fairs and community presentations.

As its first community project, the PHCD Youth Advisory Group embarked on a community survey to ensure youth voice and perspective is at the forefront of the District’s exploration of allcove– an integrated youth mental health center for 12-25 year old’s. Our Youth Leaders presented the survey results and findings at the February 27, 2020 Board meeting.