Back2Besa host Besa Gordon recently met with Pray Shiferaw, the Behavioral Health Coordinator at Rainier Beach High School. Gordon highlighted the trauma support and mental health services available through the Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) free of charge, at more than 20 Seattle schools, including Rainier Beach, Garfield, and Cleveland High Schools. 

Shiferaw reinforced the message for students and families that seeking care is an act of strength, not a weakness. She acknowledges the difficulty of taking the first step but emphasizes that schools are safe, familiar places to do so, a message that resonates deeply as she is not far removed from being a student herself. Recognizing the heavy burden of trauma, grief, and pressure that young people are currently navigating, Gordon reiterated her personal promise: “I can’t fix the world, but I can make sure our youth are heard.”