Highschool can be overwhelming, but for students at our school, Mrs. Parslow is a guiding force when it comes to mental health and emotional well-being. As the AP Psychology teacher, the leader of the peer counseling program, and the head of the Wellness Center, she plays a crucial role in fostering a supportive environment for students.
When asked about the inspiration behind the school’s Wellness Center, Mrs. Parslow explained that the idea came from seeing a similar program at Ontario High School. “I started asking questions about how they got that, where the funding came from, and how it was staffed. Some of our counselors had explored the idea, but there were always questions about logistics. Seeing the one at Ontario High School really pushed the idea forward.”
Balancing AP Psychology, peer counseling, and the Wellness Center is no easy task, but Mrs. Parslow credits teamwork and strong relationships for making it possible. “Luckily, we have an outstanding intervention specialist, Andrew Garcia. He works for ReachOut, an organization our district contracts with, and he’s in the Wellness Center daily. That really helps. He was actually one of my former AP Psych students, so we have a great rapport. Working with him and my peer counselors makes everything more manageable. This year has been especially challenging, though, with curriculum changes and the emotional toll of recent tragedies. It’s really hard.”
For students struggling with mental health, especially during the final stretch of the school year, Mrs. Parslow emphasizes the importance of seeking support. “There are lots of resources on campus that students may not know about or may not feel comfortable using. The Wellness Center is a great first stop. If you need a mental break or someone to talk to, Andrew is fantastic, and the peer counselors are well-trained and under a strict confidentiality contract. We also have guidance counselors, a therapist on campus, and outside resources. Students don’t have to go through things alone.”
The peer counseling program is a vital part of this support system, and the training process is rigorous. “They go through a whole year of training. At the end of the first semester, they do a full-on counseling session in front of the entire class and are scored on a rubric,” Mrs. Parslow said. Junior Siyu Wang, a peer counselor, added, “We had to go through an assessment where everyone watches us counsel to see if we’re applying what we’ve learned.”
Looking to the future, Mrs. Parslow is always searching for ways to expand and improve these programs. “I’m always thinking about how to reach more students. Typically, we do outreach events like Suicide Prevention Week and Mental Health Awareness Month, but this year, due to the tragedies in September, we had to adjust. I’ve also been in conversations about making connections with middle schools and expanding leadership opportunities within peer counseling. It’s not a traditional leadership class like ASB, but students plan events, run social media, and take on responsibilities that help grow the program.”
Through her dedication and hard work, Mrs. Parslow continues to make a lasting impact on students’ academic and emotional well-being. Whether it’s in the classroom, the Wellness Center, or through peer counseling, she ensures that students have the resources and support they need to thrive.