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Mental Health & Wellness

Mental Health & Wellness

Welcome to the District’s Wellness Support Website! 

Now more than ever our students, families, and staff are confronted with challenges that we have not experienced before.  According to the National Advisory Mental Health Council Workgroup on Child and Adolescent Mental Health Intervention Development and Deployment. “Blueprint for Change: Research on Child and Adolescent Mental Health, (2001), one in 10 children and youth will be impacted from mental illness that can interfere with their life functioning.  Research also indicates that 1 in 5 children and youth, ages 9 to 17 will experience a diagnosable psychiatric disorder.  Reducing the stigma to seek help and addressing mental health is equally as important as addressing our physical health.  

The Carmel Unified School District has a school counselor at each school site.  The elementary schools each have one school counselor, two school counselors at the middle school, and three school counselors at the high school.  The school counselor plays an important role in our tiered support system and their role can be found here. Additionally, the District has continuously partnered with Monterey County Behavioral Health to implement an expanded mental health support system for all students requiring more support, with each school site having access to a clinician through a referral process. 

Most recently, we are excited to share that we have partnered with CARE SOLACE, an online resource with a live 24/7 concierge meant to assist individuals in finding high-quality, local mental health related and counseling services for students, families, and staff. Learn more here. 


SCHOOL COUNSELOR APPOINTMENTS DURING SCHOOL CLOSURES 

You may request to speak with your school counselor while our campuses are closed by email, phone, or you can sign up for drop-in support.  We can take appointments during regular school days and hours.     

If this is a medical or mental emergency, DO NOT fill out this form. Here are Crisis Resources you can contact directly: 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:  1-800-273-8255 or https://suicidepreentionlifeline.org 

Crisis Text Line Free 24/7 Support at your fingertips:  Text HOME to 741-741 

WeTip (anonymously report incidents of bullying, false residency, fraud, etc.): 1-800-782-7463

Monterey County Rape Crisis Center Helpline: (831) 375-HELP (4357)

Monterey County Behavioral Health: (831) 647-7652 - Monterey, (831) 755-5505 - Salinas, (831) 769-8740 - Soledad

Hour Runaway and Homeless Youth Helpline: 1-831-241-0914

CHOMP Crisis Intervention (Drugs/Alcohol): 1-831-624-4623

Child Abuse Reporting Hotline: 1-800-606-6618

911 or visit your nearest hospital emergency room if you can get there safely 

Contact

Amy Bullas

Titles: Counselor
Locations: TULARCITOS SCHOOL
Email:

Veronica Craft

Titles: Counselor
Locations: CARMEL RIVER SCHOOL
Email:

Lizette Paredes

Titles: Counselor
Locations: CAPTAIN COOPER ELEM SCHOOL
Email:

Sarah Greco

Titles: Counselor
Locations: CARMEL MIDDLE SCHOOL
Email:

Melissa Magreta

Titles: Counselor
Locations: CARMEL MIDDLE SCHOOL
Email:

Yesel Von Ruden

Titles: Counselor
Locations: CARMEL HIGH SCHOOL
Email:

Darren Johnston

Titles: Counselor
Locations: CARMEL HIGH SCHOOL
Email:

Jeffrey Rogers

Titles: Counselor
Locations: CARMEL HIGH SCHOOL
Email: