This is a wonderful article and a service to our community. The issue of young people struggling with mental health disorders is so important and I appreciate these families and students telling their stories.

Thanks to Kevin for this in-depth look at youth mental health needs across our county. The predicted reduction in psychiatrists and psychologists is scary. Replicating MVLA’s program across our county would save lives. Much love to Tiffany and Robin for sharing their stories. Thank you!

Absolutely stunning article. Thank you for articulating this heavy topic so well. I’m honored to be included. Beautiful work.

What kind of parent invades the privacy of their child with an article like this? What happens when the topic pops up in ten years online?

Dear Stupid-

I am assuming that you are referring to the information that I shared about our family. It is very difficult and re traumatizing to share such personal information and open ourselves up to judgement as parents. We speak with our son and he agreed to the sharing of information. Our family has been lucky enough to have years of therapy, the important word there LUCKY. We feel that luck comes with an obligation to do all that we can to prevent other families from the nightmare that we endured. The story could have been yet another tragic story about a family unable to find the medical professionals to heal. We share our story because the stigma that inspires your comment, we feel, acts as a roadblock to progress. I do agree children have a right to their dignity and their story, as parents we have many of those stories, and they will remain between us. We find nothing about our story that shines shame or deficiency on our son or our family.
I do appreciate that you took the time to read the story.
Tiffany

Very important article. Please consider re-printing annually.

A resource in Mountain View, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills and surrounding communities is the Community Health Awareness Council (CHAC). In our 45th year as a non-profit providing mental health counseling services in 34 area schools and at our Main Clinic, we are a non-profit resource for children teens and anyone else in crisis or in need or emotional support.

CHAC has therapists in all our schools. It’s been around since my teens were in kindergarten. So we haven’t been in the dark. CHAC at school is free. In their clinic it’s a sliding scale. So yes, if you make $120,000 you pay $110. But if you’re poverty level you don’t. Please utilize this resource on el Camino! ~ MV homeowner and parent