Forty-five students from three Catholic high schools in Los Angeles gathered May 5-6 at the University of Southern California's Caruso Catholic Center to discuss mental health. This meeting was part of the "citizenship program" of the Pontifical Foundation "Scholas Occurrentes".whose objective is to be a space where students and young people meet to discuss the problems that affect them and propose solutions.
The topic of mental health was chosen because in many countries, especially in Europe and the United States, mental health is a major issue of concern. United StatesThere is an epidemic of loneliness, isolation and lack of connectedness. This, noted U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, on May 3, 2023: "is a public health crisis that has been underestimated and has damaged individual and societal health. Our relationships with others are a source of wellness that help lead to healthier, fuller and more productive lives."
One of the students' ideas to alleviate the problem was to create social networking groups and provide safe spaces to connect, as well as workshops for parents and teachers. The students presented this proposal to a panel of local leaders, including Los Angeles District 7 Councilmember Monica Rodriguez and Rigoberto Reyes, executive director of the Los Angeles County Office of Immigrant Affairs.
The protagonism of young people
"Young people continue to give voice to the most pressing issues of our time and deserve a space where that activism is encouraged," said Councilwoman Rodriguez. For her part Maria Martha Barreneche, Coordinator of "Scholas USA Projects" noted that "it is wonderful to see how the culture of encounter has brought these young people together to help solve such an important problem" as mental health. "With so much darkness in society, our classrooms should be a light! I believe that if we are going to make a change, it should start with our students," said teacher Jose Luis Perez, a language teacher. "Our students have a lot of good things to say: they are the future. 'Scholas' is the way they can make a change in our communities."
At the end of the program, participants planted an olive tree as a symbol of solidarity and the need to empower young people to become engaged citizens capable of making a positive difference in their communities.
Origin of the Foundation and the project
Some of the students who were present in this program will travel to Miami at the end of May to participate with other young people in a virtual meeting with Pope Francis to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Pontifical Foundation "Scholas Occurrentes," founded in 2013. "Scholas USA" opened a chapter in Los Angeles in 2019 with the support of Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, Archbishop of the Archdiocese.
The Scholas International Educational Movement grew out of the "Neighborhood School" and "Sister Schools" educational projects first launched in 2001 by the then Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Jorge Mario Bergoglio. Since its founding, "Scholas" has grown into a worldwide network with the mission of creating a culture of encounter to bring young people together.
