Back2Besa host Besa Gordon recently sat down with Dr. Dwane Chappelle, Director at the Department of Early Education and Learning (DEEL), to discuss the mental health supports available to youth across Seattle. Recognizing that young people are navigating school, family, friendships, and real trauma, their conversation centered on the necessity of a trusted adult who will simply listen. 

DEEL's work focuses on creating multiple entry points for young people to connect with care, such as school-based health centers, community partnerships, and virtual options, ensuring the support feels approachable and not intimidating.

A key takeaway from the discussion was the profound importance of youth feeling seen and heard by adults, especially when they may not feel heard at home. Gordon shared her personal experience, noting that access to a teen health center in her middle and high school years "changed everything," providing a trusted space to say what she couldn't at home and feel validated. This simple act of being heard, not rushed or talked over, is often the emotional release young people need.

DEEL is committed to building an entire ecosystem of support, not just one single solution, which also includes accessible mechanisms like QR codes to help youth access support streams. The goal is to ensure young people know help is available and that reaching out is acceptable. The discussion underscored that when young people have someone to talk to, someone who listens, and someone who believes them, it has the power to change everything in their lives.

Learn more about free teen mental health resources here. 

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.

Back2Besa host Besa Gordon recently met with Pray Shiferaw, the Behavioral Health Coordinator at Rainier Beach High School. Gordon highlighted the trauma support and mental health services available through the Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) free of charge, at more than 20 Seattle schools, including Rainier Beach, Garfield, and Cleveland High Schools. 

Shiferaw reinforced the message for students and families that seeking care is an act of strength, not a weakness. She acknowledges the difficulty of taking the first step but emphasizes that schools are safe, familiar places to do so, a message that resonates deeply as she is not far removed from being a student herself. Recognizing the heavy burden of trauma, grief, and pressure that young people are currently navigating, Gordon reiterated her personal promise: “I can’t fix the world, but I can make sure our youth are heard.”