Aiming at providing increased resources for student wellness, the Anaheim Union High School District (AUHSD) rolled out new informative mental health posters at the start of the spring semester, in accordance with California Assembly Bill (AB) 748 and Education Code (EDC) 49428.5. These posters, which can be found in each classroom, were distributed throughout Oxford’s hallways as well as administrative buildings. They contain mental health resources and guidance for managing well-being in an effort to assist students in recognizing and having access to essential services.
AB 748 requires that every school site serving grades six through 12 must display a mental health resource poster that shares community and school-site specific health resources, examples of positive and negative coping strategies, and identification of common behaviors found in those facing mental health crises. EDC 49428.5 further mandates that language in the posters must be “age appropriate and culturally relevant,” based on model posters developed by the California Department of Education.
In accordance with these requirements, AUHSD’s informational mental health poster includes risky behaviors that may signal mental health issues, such as drug abuse or withdrawal from hobbies; advice for managing mental wellness, including maintaining physical health; and directions to national, county-wide, and school resources.
“Having these posters visible in classrooms ensures that all students receive clear, consistent information about mental health and how to seek support. The posters list direct phone numbers and contacts, making it easier for students to reach out when they need help,” school social worker Ms. Jacqueline Lopez said.
When developing the poster, AUHSD used the sample poster provided by the Orange County Department of Education, and obtained input from a Student Wellness Committee composed of administrators, social workers, school counselors, and school psychologists.
The resources included on the posters are established organizations in the county. A QR code leads students to the Orange County Navigator website, a compiled list of county-wide health and wellness resources, including a ‘Wellness Check’; A second to OC Links, a free service that assists Orange County residents in finding support for navigating mental health or substance abuse issues through an anonymous call and chat system that is available 24/7.
“The overarching message is that seeking help is a normal and healthy response, and students should feel empowered to recognize when they need support,” AUHSD’s Director of School Mental Health and Wellness Dr. Adela Cruz said.
Despite the resources offered, some students feel that the posters are overlooked by their intended audience.
“I notice that the mental health posters don’t get a lot of attention…I think that the root of the problem isn’t that students reject mental health, they just don’t identify that they need help,” junior Julia Shin said.
According to the CDC, mental health, substance abuse, and suicide are concerns for adolescents, with increasing prevalence in recent years. In 2023, 40% of US high school students reported persistently feeling sad or hopeless in the past year, while 20% reported seriously contemplating suicide.
This trend has been worsened by the effects of the pandemic, and may be exacerbated in the high-stress livelihoods of some Oxford students.
“Mental health can be overlooked by many Oxford students. There exists a huge pressure to do well, whether it be from peer expectations, parental pressure, or even just self imposed. I think that the need to do well causes many students to feel like they just need to learn how to manage their stress by themselves instead of reaching out for support,” Shin said.
Along with an intense environment, staff shared their hopes that the poster will benefit students, encouraging them to seek help.
“Doing the work that I do, I appreciate seeing these posters in classrooms. At Oxford, many students may feel like they are the only ones struggling, which can make asking for help uncomfortable,” Ms. Lopez said. “By placing these posters in classrooms, students have easier access to school and community resources, both in and outside of school.”
