Why School-Based Mental Health Matters: Tram’s Story

Large outbursts in class, trouble focusing during tests, and difficulty making friends, these were some of the signs that Tram was struggling in middle school. Thankfully, her teacher noticed and referred her to a Fred Finch School-Based Services therapist working on campus.

With a trauma-informed approach that unpacked her difficult childhood, Tram’s therapist worked with her on coping skills, introduced mindfulness practices, and linked her with additional services like psychiatric treatment and case management — resources her family hadn’t previously known were available or how to access.

What made an even greater difference was the peer support her family received. Tram was partnered with a peer mentor who had shared similar experiences, while her mother connected with a parent partner who could relate to the challenges of parenting a child with special needs.

"Having a peer mentor and a parent partner made us feel less alone — it gave us hope and the support we needed."

All of this was possible because Fred Finch School-Based Services is embedded directly in schools. For over two decades, Fred Finch has provided school-based services that remove common barriers to quality mental health care, such as transportation, cost, and scheduling.

Want to help make more success stories like Tram’s possible? Consider making a gift today and help create brighter futures for students and families in our communities.

Want to Learn More About How We Support Students?

Explore our School and Educational Services to see how we partner with schools to provide trauma-informed, culturally responsive care across California.

Our myriad of services — including school-based programs — deliver vital behavioral health, special education, and emotional support to students with complex needs. From in-class counseling and collaboration on Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to our certified non-public schools in Oakland and San Diego, our tailored special educational service help students like Tram heal, learn, and thrive.

Learn more about our School Based programs: https://www.fredfinch.org/school-and-educational