At its Oct. 28 meeting, the Health and Safety Commission welcomed two Maple Counseling Center representatives to discuss their work with the Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD), and how it’s shaping the next generation through social-emotional learning (SEL). During the meeting, Ali Norman-Franks, wellness coordinator at Beverly Hills High School (BHHS), gave a recap on the Normal Aid Center on campus and activities for “Substance Misuse Prevention Month” in October.
The commissioners were pleased to see the positive impact this has made on students throughout the district. “Although I spent my early years at LAUSD, I remember there was a friend of mine who I didn’t know had a mental health problem, and ended up committing suicide,” recalled Commissioner Dr. Lee Hilborne, who graduated from BHHS. “Frankly, I still remember it to this day. If there were opportunities, it would’ve been great.”
Later, Amanda Maddahi, clinic manager at the Maple Counseling Center, and her colleague, Lisa Wolfe, led a presentation on mindfulness for the youth. Wolfe works directly with students at Horace Mann Elementary School, teaching weekly 30-minute bilingual SEL classes at no cost to the school. As Wolfe explained, the purpose of these lessons, which she calls “solving circles,” is to create coping skills, learn how to say no in an uncomfortable situation and how to handle adversity respectfully. She leads groups of children in “put up” exercises where they learn how to compliment another student’s character rather than a physical attribute, and “put down” exercises where they learn how to respond to unfriendly comments. They also practice apologizing and thanking each other.
“The most fruitful part of my day-to-day business is managing the youth social-emotional learning program where I get to work with volunteers like Lisa,” said Maddahi. “They truly make up the village, when it takes a village.” According to efficacy data she presented from a student poll, the program has been successful. Three out of four students responded that they could define at least one coping skill for moments when they’re overwhelmed, they could name one person they could turn to for help, and they could give one responsible response to pressure. Furthermore, teachers at Horace Mann have reported witnessing kids using these techniques on the playground.
At the high school level, the Norman Aid Center is available for students who want to speak to a counselor or just take a moment of mindfulness during the day. As Norman-Franks explained, about 70 students utilize counseling services every week. Recently, she has also been looking for ways to help students outside of the office, including the monthly aid program. Each month, the Norman Aid Center focuses on a different topic in mental wellness. September was “Seek Support Month,” during which students were encouraged to seek mental health support and destigmatize asking for support. October is “Substance Misuse Prevention Month,” so Franks and her team are educating students about the effects of substances on both physical and mental health. On Oct. 28, the Norman Aid Center held a lunchtime activity with the Beverly Hills Police Department during which students put on substance goggles and tried to walk in a straight line. This was one of their most attended activities so far, said Norman-Franks. “All year, we do these different programs with the goal that it’s a constant reminder that these are things they can talk about in Norman Aid,” she said. “They’re seeing our faces, they’re seeing the counselors’ faces, and it just helps them to feel more comfortable coming into the center when they need to.”
