Students in Fairfax learn to help classmates with mental health struggles

FAIRFAX Co., Va. (WJLA) — A group of teens at Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax County are being trained to help their classmates not with math or science, but with their mental health.

Homework, after school activities and planning for college gives some of the students at Robinson anxiety.

Now, a group of students are learning how to help their classmates with mental health struggles.

Sraavy Ranga, in the teen mental health first aid group said it wasn’t too long ago she was dealing with anxiety and depression.

“I know a lot of people had similar problems and gone through that and haven’t been able to voice it or get it out in any way,” Ranga said.

These students say communication is important.

That is what they are learning from school counselors as well as how to observe and know the signs of mental health issues.

Orion Klassen, a junior, said high schoolers deal with a lot of stress, and it can be overwhelming.

“If you’re friends start saying no to stuff you love doing together or if they stop wanting to go out with you or with anybody,” Klassen said.

They’ve learned how to approach classmates who may be struggling.

They are supposed to be gentle and help them find the best-suited adult to help.

The students say some of their classmates feel more comfortable talking to them first and then an adult.

“You never know it could be very hard to open up and a lot of teens have unfortunately gotten really good at faking being okay,” Klassen said.

Twelve students at Robinson were trained to be part of the first cohort of teen mental health first aid.

Fairfax County Public Schools has a plan to train more students at various schools in the future.