"Am I a freak? Is this only happening to me? If this is normal, why do my friends never talk about it?" 

These are some of the questions we are diving into this week with a new 45-minute movie by Kaiser Permanente's Educational Theater troupe. The themes covered in the movie include

1. Self:
   1. the physical transformations of puberty, such as acne, smells, sleep dysregulation, voice cracking, wet dreams, menstruation; pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections
   2. some emotional and mental health topics: mood swings, depression and anxiety, addictions (vaping), suicidal ideation
2. Relationships: parental conflict, romantic attraction, sexting and respect, conflict and reconciliation
3. Society: poverty, job loss, micro-aggressions, racial bias

The Kaiser team will come to debrief with our students in live interactive Zoom sessions (one per grade level in Middle School) on Tuesday April 6th. 

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It is a good opportunity to remind every student that we are here for them should they need any support:

1. Christine Riez (Ortega Campus Director)
2. Elodie Gallissot (Dean of Students)
3. Martine Aniel (school psychologist)
4. Victoria Dimitrakopoulos (Social & Emotional Learning Catalyst)

In addition, the 24/7 confidential helplines are posted around campus:

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) 
Tel: 800-950-6264
Text HOME @ 741741 (Crisis Text Line)

Disaster Distress Helpline / SAHMSA
Tel: 800-985-5990
Text TalkWithUs @ 66746

National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)
Tel: 800-931-2237
Email @ info@myneda.org

The Trevor Project for LGBTQ+ youth, friends and family
Tel: 866-488-7386
Text Start @ 678678

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Tel: 800-273-8255