TEEN MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
The City of Seattle is deepening its commitment to youth mental wellness, cutting through red tape and financial barriers to ensure that every young person has access to support. Through the Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL), a network of partnerships is mobilized to deliver free telehealth, virtual therapy, and school-based care for middle school, high school students, and young adults up to age 24. Let it be heard—this is a game-changer designed to elevate the culture of care across the Emerald City.
Besa Gordon on Student Mental Health: A Conversation with Pray Shiferaw
By Besa Gordon - Growing up, I spent a lot of time at teen health centers—not because something was “wrong” with me, but because I needed a safe place to talk, process, and breathe. Middle school and high school were the first times I learned what it meant to ask for help, sit with a counselor, and use mental health support as a tool instead of something to fear. Looking back, that access shaped the way I move through life today.
Besa Gordon Discusses DEEL and Youth Mental Health on Good Day Seattle
On Good Day Seattle, Besa Gordon highlighted the trauma support and mental health services available through the Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) for students impacted by violence. These free resources are offered at more than 20 schools across Seattle, including Rainier Beach High School, Garfield High School, and Cleveland High School, making support easier to access right where students already are.
Besa Gordon on the Mental Health Resources She Wishes Every Student Knew About
By Besa Gordon - I recently sat down with DEEL's Director Dwane Chappelle and members of the Rainier Beach Health Clinic team for a conversation that felt personal in every way. We talked about youth mental health — and not in a “buzzword” way, but in a real, honest way… the kind of conversation that can actually change outcomes for young people across Seattle.
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Melissa McCullough, a school-based mental health counselor at the Rainier Beach High School health center, recently met with Back2Besa host Besa Gordon to discuss the vital role of providing in-person counseling directly on campus.
Melissa McCullough, a school-based mental health counselor at the Rainier Beach High School health center, recently met with Back2Besa host Besa Gordon to discuss the vital role of providing in-person counseling directly on campus.
Having these services available in the school building increases accessibility, allowing students to sign themselves up and set their own appointments without needing to arrange transportation. This model creates consistency and leads to better outcomes, as students miss less class time and are able to attend sessions more regularly.
To normalize mental health support and reduce stigma, the health center staff actively integrates themselves into the school community. Staff members build rapport by greeting students in the hallways and participating in classroom health lessons to ensure they are seen as familiar, friendly faces. A cornerstone of this relationship is a strict commitment to confidentiality; McCullough emphasizes that the center is separate from school administration and that conversations held within its walls remain private.
Learn more about the Teen Health Center here.