School-Based Health Centers Are Essential

Every day Vesper Society links arms with leaders and communities to uplift through service, break down barriers, and elevate community voices. This month we highlight the importance of school-based health centers.

The California School-Based Health Alliance reports that “most of California’s more than 10,000 schools do not have the resources to meet their students’ physical and mental health care needs. Only 43 percent of public school districts in California have a nurse, and only two percent of schools have a school-based health center. And yet, students are six times more likely to receive evidence-based services in a school compared to other community settings. School-based services are therefore essential to ensuring students have access to timely and quality mental health.”

For over two decades, La Clinica de la Raza has provided health care services and education at its eight School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs). La Clinica has worked closely with school partners to expand the reach and scope of school health services in Oakland, San Lorenzo, and San Leandro. In collaboration with the Alameda Health Care Services Agency, La Clinica delivered primary medical, dental, vision, behavioral health, and health education services to over 3,000 youth in 2021.

As schools begin the new year, clinics are leading outreach efforts to ensure linkage to care, especially behavioral health services. Staff are seeing unprecedented behavioral health needs across all school sites, and an increase in suicidality and depression as youth adjust to the loss of loved ones.

Behavioral health clinicians are helping students deal with grief and anxiety. Youth are experiencing social anxiety as they transition back to in-person learning, with many attending a new school for the first time. Clinics are seeing more students who report thoughts of self-harm, and there is an increase in fights and student conflicts on campus.

Given the layers of impact related to COVID-19, La Clinica’s SBHC department is entering its second year of providing case management services at select school sites to provide direct services to youth and families. Many of La Clinica’s clients are Latino, Black/African American, Asian, and living below 200% of the Federal poverty level. The department is working to expand from one site to three sites this school year to provide more holistic support to clients.

In addition, La Clinica supports students through grief groups, newcomer groups, cognitive behavioral intervention for trauma in schools groups, and mentorship.

La Clinica is facing challenges related to provider shortages as are many clinics and hospitals across the country. There are currently 28 positions open in Behavioral Health. Due to the demand for behavioral services, there is a priority to fill vacant positions for Integrated Behavioral health Clinicians across multiple SBHCs.

Vesper Society salutes La Clinica for their dedication to serving students and families. We encourage you to learn more about La Clinica at www.laclinica.org.