As the new school year begins, so do feelings of anxiety and stress. Students at Granite Hills High School have to adjust not only to new classes, teachers, and classmates, but new rules. The transition from summer vacation to the fall semester is not an easy one.
In the days leading up to September, most students are in the process of adapting to new changes around them. Club rush week kicked off the long month, as students searched to find community on campus. One club that is all about community, love, and support is Granite Hills Mental Health Club. All September and school year long, the Mental Health Club strives to support students’ mental wellness.
Mental Health Club is an outlet on campus that serves Granite Hills students all 180 days of the school year. Started by Ace Alcantar, a 2025 Granite Hills alumnus, and supervised by counselor Ms. Molina, the club is a symbol of hope for students during such a delicate time.
“The purpose of the Mental Health Club is to raise awareness on the importance of mental health,” Molina said. “We teach others how to recognize early signs of mental illness and provide information on community resources. We like to bring positivity to GHHS and support those who are living with a mental illness.”
Especially during September, mental wellness is more important than ever. September is National Suicide Awareness Month. Here on campus, the Mental Health Club’s goal all September long is to destigmatize how our community sees suicide prevention.
Why is suicide awareness important to talk about? Among young adults 19-25 years of age, suicide is the third leading cause of death behind accidents and homicide, according to the “National Center for Health Statistics.”
Causes for the ongoing crisis are teenagers associated with “exposure to violence, impulsivity, aggression, bullying, and aggression,” according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Their research indicates these factors as the main contributors to the ongoing crisis. Nevertheless, there is help for Grizzlies who need support.
For instance, for immediate help for mental wellness, students can contact the “National Suicide and Bullying Prevention Hotline.” This resource is available for free, supported by trained counselors. Not only is there a hotline for students, but Project AWARE is a large supporter of mental wellness.
Mental Health Club works closely with Project AWARE, especially during suicide awareness week and Mental Health Awareness Week. Not only is there support from organizations outside of school, but also on campus. Grizzly ASB offers its help to the Mental Health Club during club rush and other activities throughout the school year.
This 2025-26 school year, the club added a new advisor in Ms. Urbano. Ms. Urbano works on the Granite Hills campus as a student support specialist.
“A mental health club is a great place to teach students and support them as they navigate through school,” Ms. Urbano said.
Urbano said she is eager to help support students in her role on campus and with the club.
“I love being able to help students understand themselves, situations, and how adult-student partnerships work,” she said. “The reason behind wanting to be an advisor for the club stems from my supportive services background.”
