Free Mental Health Program in Queens

A Baptist church in Elmhurst, Queens has decided to join together with Northwell Health to provide free behavioral therapy services to all people, ranging from young children to the elderly. Mental health services like these are needed because more than half of our students at Sewanhaka High School report feeling like they and their peers are struggling with mental health, yet don't have access to proper services.

For the purpose of this report, I interviewed 11 students who attend Sewanhaka High School. Half of the students interviewed report feeling that they struggle with their mental health—some claiming their problems are more severe, while most claim moderate struggle. 

I came to this conclusion by going up to students from different grades, genders, sexual orientations, and races to rate on a scale of 1-10 how much they would say they struggle with mental health (1 being not often and 10 being very often). Most students responded between 5-9.

When asked if they were more inclined to try out mental services if said services were free, the majority of students said yes. When asked if they had ever gotten counseling or go to counseling regularly, only a few students claimed to have ever seen a mental health professional.

These reports should cause concern because they show that students are not receiving the help that they feel they need. This may lead to burnout and/or a mental breakdown. In most cases concerning school tragedies in the U.S., the root of the cause often leads back to the mental health of students. 

Freshman Monserrat Cuevas reported when asked, “We need help. The ones struggling need more help and we need more programs to help us. I feel like the counselors we do have are not very trusted by students.” 

Faculty member Mr. Galleti told me, “When you hold it in you create a wall, and over time you can’t hold it in anymore and it bursts. Students need to come to their teachers and ask for help, tell us about how they’re feeling.”

“Some people are quiet and others are more outgoing. I feel like at the end of the day, it’s more about how people showcase their emotions than what you can see on the outside.” said student-athlete Anthonella Velasco.

Overall, I feel students can progress in their emotions when given the opportunity. The problem is the lack of access to resources. Hopefully, the new free services being offered will encourage students to want to get the help they need.