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By Christine Thomas
The opioid crisis has become one of the most serious public health issues affecting communities across the United States, and its impact is increasingly reaching young people.
For teens, what starts as curiosity or a way to cope can quickly turn into dependence, making prevention and early intervention incredibly important.
Much of the conversation around opioids focuses on the drugs themselves – how dangerous they are and how to avoid them. However, far less attention is given to how students can actually get help when they are struggling.
Even when support exists, the fear of being misunderstood or not taken seriously can prevent students from reaching out. Without accessible ways to seek help, students may feel stuck handling their problems alone.
This issue only emphasizes the importance of strong and accessible mental health support systems. Students spend around seven hours at school, making it one of the most important places for support to exist. Because of this, schools are in a unique position to provide not just education, but also trusted adults and safe spaces for students who need help.
This is where school wellness centers play a crucial role, offering a connection that can change outcomes.
American High School in the Bay Area is one of the many schools that provide a wellness center. All day long, whether it be during lunch or after school, the center is constantly full of students as people come in to hang out with their friends or just take a breather from the chaos of the day.
At the heart of it all is Marya Zaki, the Wellness Coach for the school’s Wellness center. However, to her students, she is the one who creates an environment where they feel safe and understood. In an interview, she emphasized that her “main goal is to provide a comforting environment where the kids can come and feel at ease.”
However, she made it clear that the environment alone is not enough. Building trust is essential, and that comes from human connection. Rather than forcing conversations, she meets students where they are emotionally, allowing them to relax and feel understood. Over time, this creates a sense of trust that encourages students to share struggles they might not feel comfortable discussing elsewhere. And once that trust is established, it opens the door to vulnerability.
Zaki explained that being open about struggles is necessary in order to receive help.
“In order for you to actually get help…you have to be vulnerable,” she said.
She added that once she sees students shifting their mindset, she knows that a change in their decisions and path is coming.
She also challenged the idea that asking for help is a weakness.
“People who actually seek help…are strong,” she said.
Building the courage to reach out, even in small ways, can be a turning point for students who feel stuck or overwhelmed. Having a trusted adult to lean on provides support during difficult moments and helps students regain control of their lives.
Zaki provides the starting point for other adults to follow: “Be accepting,” she said. “Don’t judge too soon.”
She encourages adults to approach students with empathy in order to build the trust needed for honest conversations.
As for students, her position is clear: Be compassionate with yourself and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
In a world where the youth feel pressure to hide their struggles, having even one person to turn to can make all the difference.
This article was written as part of a program to educate youth and others about Alameda County’s opioid crisis, prevention and treatment options. The program is funded by the Alameda County Behavi
