A Transformation in Student Well-Being

A student is paying it forward, with support from donors like you

Switching to a new high school is always hard. But when Malakai arrived at Sonoma Valley High School in January of 2022, classes had only been back on campus for a few months in the wake of the pandemic. Masks and social distancing were in full effect, making social connections a struggle. “Everyone was just in their own bubble,” they recall.

Malakai had been assigned a staff counselor, but recognized that resources were stretched thin. “A lot of students couldn't get the support they needed,” they say.

Since then, additional help has arrived – thanks to donors like you. Working in partnership with school district staff, the SVEF has expanded access to one-on-one, family, and small group therapy for students district-wide.

Now free counseling is available for any student in need. Flyers posted around the SVHS campus feature QR codes for students to scan on their phones to request help.

Malakai joined the school-wide Wellness Youth Council and found encouragement and new friends. They recall, “The other members helped me come out of my shell – they talked to me and welcomed me, and I felt like this is a safe place for me.”

They and the group have worked to de-stigmatize mental health care on campus – and they’re seeing big changes in students’ outlook.

“People are normalizing that it's okay to say, ‘Hey, I'm getting therapy to get the help I need,” they say. “Students can come for free and there’s someone here that you can talk to when you need it. The therapists here are amazing, and they really show that they care.”

Malakai takes pride in the progress SVHS has made. Now a senior, they hope their school can serve as a model for others.

“It's possible for students to learn to feel comfortable sharing their feelings – we’re doing it here now.”

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