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PAGE 69 Psychological Safety. Concerns about psychological safety, which is closely related to the threat or experience of physical violence, abounded. According to the Stanford Health Care report, students of color do not feel welcome, included, or at times, safe at school.11 Students had numerous examples of being personally subjected to racism and discrimination and exposed to hate speech in person and on social media. “Another thing I wish would not be present at school is the homophobia, the transphobia, racism, all of that hate. There’s so much promotion of ‘this is a safe space or inclusive.’ But then I have walked across campus and heard one of my friends be called the F slur five times. And that’s not something that anyone should have to experience.” Students said that in most instances teachers who witnessed these episodes did little to stop them, leaving them vulnerable and frustrated. In particular, they said that popular and students involved in sports faced little consequences. “People don’t stand up if it’s their friend that they’ve known forever, even if they think it’s wrong they’ll just sit back and let it happen. Because they’re like, ‘well, I’ve known this person forever, they’re not going to change.’ I remember some teacher experiences where they don’t say anything. I had this class… there were a bunch of kids in it who were involved in violence or random things, and they would talk openly about it in class and the teacher wouldn’t do anything.” “Another thing I experienced: I share with people that I have Jewish heritage. I don’t practice Judaism or anything, but there was a specific day I came into class and there was a swastika. And that was terrifying for me, especially the stories I heard from my grandparents. I went home and I cried because I felt so unsafe. And I asked my mom if I could stay home the next day. I didn’t want to have to deal with that.” YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH The mental health and wellbeing of youth was a frequent topic of concern. The Tri-Valley Anti-Poverty Collaborative’s (TVAPC) 2023 Data Profile found that as of 2021, one in four ninth graders experienced feelings related to depression at some point (Figure 49).15 In conversations with Tri-Valley youth and service providers, youth mental health related to the aforementioned pressures students experience, ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and social media. “A challenge that’s really heavy on me is the issues related to youth behavioral mental health. COVID exacerbated it with the isolation, and then if you add social media¬– it’s just it’s beyond imaginable how much stress and pressure and anxiety young people are feeling at a time when you would want them to just be able to explore and develop and be content.” Students noted the connection between COVID-19 and mental health, too. One said “Not a lot of people are aware of the impact on mental health that COVID had on teens and kids.” 9th Graders Experiencing Depression Related Feelings in the Past 12 Months, 2021-22 California Healthy Kids Survey, 2021-22 Figure 49. Depression-Related Symptoms Among 9th Graders by Location Pleasanton Livermore Joint Dublin 24% 27% 29% EASTERN ALAMEDA COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES NEEDS ASSESSMENTSS Page 127 of 554