EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 A community forum in East El Paso on Monday night brought families, school leaders and mental health professionals together to talk about mental health awareness and the resources available to students and parents.<\/p>\n
The event was held at the Michelle T. Adjemian Recreation Center in partnership with Emergence Health Network, El Paso city leaders and Burges High School. <\/p>\n
City Rep. Deanna Maldonado-Rocha, who represents parts of East and South-Central El Paso, said the goal was to make sure families know what help is available in the community, including options that may be free.<\/p>\n
\u201cI felt like there’s a need to possibly go out and show people what resources are available to them, and some at no cost,\u201d Maldonado-Rocha said.<\/p>\n
Maldonado-Rocha said she hopes the forum is the start of something bigger for families seeking support.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope that this type of meeting really is something that is the beginning of something special, to be able to provide parents that same space as well,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The forum followed the death of 16-year-old Tony Arellano, a Burges High School student who died by suicide in April.<\/p>\n
Jordan Salas reports on East El Paso forum highlights youth mental health resources after Burges student\u2019s death (Credit: KFOX14)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
His family described him as a hardworking student who was involved in track, wrestling and JROTC, and said that while it appeared he was excelling, he was also struggling with something others did not see.<\/p>\n
Tony\u2019s mother has been sharing his story and saying he experienced bullying. She hopes his story brings awareness to the emotional struggles some students face. She is asking anyone with information about what her son experienced at school to come forward.<\/p>\n
El Paso Independent School District board Trustee Alex Cuellar, who represents the area, attended the forum and said the district needs to focus on supporting students before another tragedy occurs.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is definitely not something we want to be reactive to. This is something that has to be proactive,\u201d Cuellar said.<\/p>\n
Tony\u2019s former JROTC teacher, Jorge Del Toro, also spoke about him during the forum.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was a terrific student who was and was kind hearted. He was quite, And yet he was strong in spirit,\u201d Del Toro said.<\/p>\n
Emergence Health Network shared mental health resources with families, including information about crisis services. <\/p>\n
Celeste Nevarez, the network\u2019s chief clinical officer, encouraged families to make mental health part of regular conversations at home and highlighted the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo we have our crisis hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week, holidays included. That’s our 988 phone line that rings directly to us. So we have local people on the end of that call answering for a crisis 24\/7,\u201d Nevarez said.<\/p>\n
EPISD said mental health support is available through campus counselors, specialized mental health professionals and on-site services provided in partnership with Emergence Health Network. For bullying prevention, the district pointed to its \u201cSee Something, Say Something\u201d campaign, saying students and parents can report concerns through its Stop Bullying webpage<\/a> or an anonymous alerts system.<\/p>\n Cuellar said addressing student mental health and bullying concerns will require more than one forum.<\/p>\n \u201cIt needs to be a holistic approach from the ground up to ensure that we get that messaging across to everyone,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n More information about Emergence Health Network and the services it provides can be found here<\/a>. <\/p>\n If you or someone you know is struggling, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.<\/p>\n RECOMMENDED: Authorities warn of consequences for false school threats as school year ends in El Paso<\/a><\/p>\n RECOMMENDED: El Paso ISD to give financial update, budget stabilization plan next week<\/a><\/p>\n