It has become increasingly clear that the financial consequences of the coronavirus pandemic are going to be most severe among low-income families. Reverberations from the crisis are expected to be felt for months, perhaps even years, in physical health outcomes, as well as in economic growth, family incomes, and mental health.
Some organizations are working to get ahead of the need and putting in place support mechanisms. One area of need is the mental health of students — a generation of kids who before the pandemic were referred to as the “lonely generation.”
To help local students, the Foundation for Santa Barbara High School has announced a local donor is offering to fund half of an additional mental health therapist if the foundation can match the gift of $37,500.
The foundation is asking for the community’s support to raise needed funds so students in local public schools can get the help they need from mental health experts. Donations safeguard consistent, ongoing mental health support throughout the school year.
The matching donation came in response to the foundation’s redoubled efforts to meet the basic needs of its students through #SBHSStrong. For years, the foundation has paid for basic-need items, such as food, new shoes, and PE clothes, through #SBHSStrong. Paying for these small things helps remove barriers to education and keeps the lowest income students in school and on track.
As the stay-at-home orders took effect, many Dons sprang into action:
Jen Slemp, English language arts teacher at Santa Barbara High, sought out several of her students and their families, took them grocery shopping, and paid for their rent.
Other Dons, such as parent Ann Rycroft, made handmade masks for the SBHS community.
At the same time, the Foundation for SBHS, the school’s PTSA and a student-led group, Dons4Dons, pooled funds to give $12,000 immediately to families affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
The process to help families was fast and simple. They only needed to contact the school’s family liaison or their academic counselor and ask for help.
“Our school is a tight-knit community,” said SBHS Principal Elise Simmons. “Our families, as diverse as they are, really do look out for one another. That motto ‘Once-a-Don, always-a-Don’ is a real thing. And our foundation is a catalyst for channeling that support.”
After distributing the first $12,000 to families in need, an anonymous donor offered an additional donation of $12,500 if the SBHS community could match that contribution. Within weeks, parents, alumni and community members donated. To date, $77,000 has been collected and nearly 130 families have received cash grants.
“It has been gratifying to see our community respond to the needs of our families and our students,” said Katie Jacobs, director of the Foundation for SBHS. “However, we know that the money we are giving through #SBHSStrong is a drop in the bucket, and only short-term fix.”
That’s when another donor stepped forward and offered to pay for half the costs of an additional mental health counselor for the 2020-21 school year.
“Last year, just over 200 students, about 10% of our population, were referred to our school mental health therapists,” Simmons said. “Our therapists were able to see many students; however, half of the students referred were put on a waitlist or referred out to community resources.
“In the aftermath of COVID-19, the worldwide protests against police brutality and the oppression of Black people, and the corrosive effects of poverty, we are bracing for a huge influx of referrals next year.”
The Santa Barbara Unified School District has prioritized student wellness in the past several years. SBHS and all district schools will need to address the long-term mental health effects of this year’s crises, and of poverty in general.
“Having additional mental health resources for our students will build resiliency and possibly even save lives,” Jacobs said. “Now we just need to raise the second half of the funds for the position.”
Those interested in making a donation can call Jacobs, 805-966-9101, ext. 5225, or email katie@foundationforsbhs.org. To donate online, visit www.foundationforsbhs.org.
The Foundation for Santa Barbara High School is a 501c3 organization composed of parents, alumni and community members that raises funds to help greatest number of students on campus. Since its inception in 2008, the foundation has raised more than $8.7 million for the SBHS.