Please let us know if you are having a stressful day and need to decompress and/or talk. Sometimes it helps to share what is troubling you. Have some nutrition or a piece of candy, rest/meditate before returning to class. All are welcome to visit the office.
GO TO NURSING

The Counseling Department at SMCHS provides services to all students that go beyond academic and college advising. Our counselors hold Masters in Counseling and counseling credentials, as well as specialized training in Youth Mental Health First Aid.

The SM Counseling Department has an open-door policy. Students are welcome to come to the counselors with any questions or concerns that they might have throughout the school day.
GO TO COUNSELING

Campus Ministry and all of its staff are committed to offering any and all SM students a place to rest and be heard. Our offices are always open for those wishing to talk about matters of life and faith, and the office itself is open before school, during lunch, and after school as a place for students to gather, eat lunch, and hang out. All are welcome!
GO TO CAMPUS MINISTRY

All are welcome to come to the ASB Room and have some fun! Table tennis, foosball, air hockey, pop-a-shot are setup and available for student use when the ASB Room is not being used as a meeting space. Room is located on the 1st floor of the G Building and is usually available during student lunches and after school.

We are a vibrant and dynamic student learning center where students can relax, collaborate, and learn in a safe and welcoming environment. The library’s “Unplug and Reboot” campaign offers activities to help students de-stress. Looking for a quiet place to study? The Quiet Study Room offers peaceful silence. Rather unwind with a book written by a bestselling or up-and-coming author? We have over 200 advance reader copies of young adult books that have not yet been published. Visit the library if you need to relax and reenergize. We have something for everyone!

GO TO THE LIBRARY

Mental Health Advisory Board:
An external advisory board of local mental health professionals and advocates was developed in 2018 to share professional insights and fill knowledge gaps by:

• Reviewing prevention and response protocols
• Sharing trends, articles, research, resources and events
• Advising on tactics for campus-wide initiatives
• Connecting SM to local/regional groups and authorities as appropriate
• Convening twice annually

School Climate Advisory Committee
This newly formed student advisory committee brings a diverse group of students to the table to advise administration on school culture and climate, and champion efforts to foster an inclusive, caring and respectful environment.

Mental Health and Wellness Task Force
An internal Mental Health and Wellness Task Force was developed to ensure representatives from all adult stakeholder groups at SM convene regularly to share their experiences with students and peers in order to identify needs as well as the strategies and initiatives to address them. The task force is comprised of representatives from each of the following groups:

• Counseling
• School psychologist
• Campus ministry
• Nurses office
• Staff/faculty
• Athletics
• Arts
• Parent liaison
• Administration

At SMCHS, we embrace "smart rigor." Santa Margarita has partnered with Stanford University Graduate School of Education's Challenge Success program, grounded in nearly 20 years of research and experience with more than 720 school to help implement research-based strategies that improve student well-being, engagement and belonging. 

Shared by Santa Margarita's campus ministry, campus life and the wellness program, the Caritas Christi Center offers the space and staff to support students in their growth academically, spiritually, socially and emotionally.

Students can drop by the wellness lounge during lunch and after school to decompress, connect with peers, or get support from wellness staff. The wellness lounge is open to students from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Our wellness counselors are available via teams or an appointment.

Every month we focus on a wellness theme and provide resources and programming with information about social emotional topics and skills for students. We have a monthly student event at lunch that is integrated into the monthly theme and provides an opportunity for students to connect with one another and our staff.

The wellness team will be hosting "Mindful Moments" at the beginning of academic period each day in the Wellness Center. Come by for a calm and centering activity as you finish your school day!