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Santa Barbara County schools are receiving additional mental health training for this Fall’s school year

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SANTA YNEZ, Calif. -- Santa Barbara County schools are receiving additional mental health training to help students undergoing a mental health breakdown.

Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) was created to provide school staff and educators with de-escalation techniques and behavioral strategies for students undergoing mental health crisis.

Health and Wellness Coordinator for Santa Ynez Valley Union High School Claudia Pena, says more conversations about mental health can help stigma.

“Reducing the stigma and helping students to feel comfortable and safe and that it's okay. Right. As humans, we all go through tough times," said Pena.

The new training comes in light of an incident that occurred at the high school in January.

A student who suffered from mental health symptoms was enclosed in a classroom by the Vice Principal and school officer.

It is unknown what the student encountered inside of the classroom but he was sedated by paramedics and taken to a nearby hospital.

The incident arose community concern and many previous students signed a petition asking the Vice Principal to step down. Many people shared on social media that, they too experienced unfair treatment from the Vice Principal.

The CPI training will be provided for various weeks to all staff to better help students and help guide parents with action steps.

Santa Barbara Charter School Psychologist, Heather Robbins says the key to building trust between school staff and students.

“The important part is not to back the student into a corner," said Robbins.

Robbins holding a student down physically is last resort.

"It's very specific. That's why we're trained in it. They don't want everybody doing it because it can be unsafe for students, said Robbins.”

Santa Ynez Valley Union High School and Santa Barbara Charter School both have designated safe spaces for children to feel calm and safe incase of a mental health crisis.

Santa Barbara Charter School's special education teacher, Aaron Butler Martin says it is important to listen and validate students feelings.

“Sometimes adults do things that push students into being even more escalated. It's more important to just stop and take a second and just ask them what you know, what they're feeling and what they might need," said Butler Martin.

Article Topic Follows: Santa Maria - Lompoc - North County

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Christina Rodriguez

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