Team Spotlight: Stephanie De Los Santos, School-Based Clinical Coordinator at Pan American International High School

This piece is part of a series of spotlights on our New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) Suicide Prevention Program (SPP) team members at Pan American International High School and Civic Leadership Academy. We asked each team member 1) why this work is important to them and the people they serve, and 2) to describe a memorable moment or client that stands out to them about why they do this work. 

I find my work meaningful because it allows me to connect with my community and provide support to others. I also enjoy creating a sense of community and helping people feel that they belong and are connected.

One client I worked with did not feel comfortable in the school environment. She felt isolated, which negatively affected her academic performance, emotional well-being, and relationship with her mother at home. Through our work together, I helped her feel more connected to her school community and recognize how some of her own behaviors and negative patterns were contributing to her sense of isolation. Over time, she became less defensive, took greater accountability for her actions, improved academically, strengthened her emotional well-being, and developed a stronger sense of belonging within her school community.