After partnering with M-A for over five years, StarVista’s services stopped being available on Aug. 1 due to financial troubles.
Listed on Sequoia Union High School District’s mental health support resources page, StarVista is a local non-profit whose mission is to aid San Mateo youth struggling with mental health issues. They provide a 24-hour crisis hotline, wellness support resources, youth housing programs, and in-person aid at M-A and their San Mateo counseling office.
“We had associates, interns, and therapists who would come in and provide the counseling for students. StarVista ran the District’s alternative to suspension program. We would use their shelters a lot, sometimes for students,” Mental Health support specialist Teshionda Nickerson said.
In a statement released by StarVista’s CEO, Shareen Leland, the company explained that it had been experiencing financial difficulties, which ultimately led to the closure of its main facilities. Despite efforts to find new partners and keep the business alive, it can no longer continue its programs in San Mateo and at schools.
The company plans to relocate to small, sustainable homes throughout the Bay Area, where it will continue to operate at a smaller scale.
In May last year, the company began laying off school-based associates to prepare for closing. In response, M-A’s wellness department shifted its focus to find other partnerships to replace StarVista.
“Fortunately, when some of the associates we had last year knew StarVista wasn’t going to be around, they applied to One Life,” Nickerson said. Two of three counselors from last year could stay because of the partnership with One Life, a local counseling program.
Students today are facing mental health problems at alarming rates. In 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 40% of U.S. high school students struggle with persistent sadness or hopelessness, and 20% considered attempting suicide. In response to this crisis, schools nationwide began to provide mental health support resources for students.
With StarVista’s closure, only two wellness support options remain posted and available to all SUHSD students: Kara Grief and Care Solace. M-A students have access to PAWS and free counseling.
“We have a lot of different things to help students. There’s more we want to do, and we want to continue making steps forward and growing, but I think we’re going in the right direction,” Nickerson said.
“As sad as it is that that service is going away, I don’t think this work stops just because they’re not here,” Nickerson said.
“I’m new here, but from what I’ve seen, I feel like with the PAWS center and all these other resources like the counselors, there are a lot of mental health support options,” freshman Bryanna Ayala said.
“Students need to know that we still have support available. It is not a weakness to ask for help; your mental health is just as important as your physical health,” Nickerson said.
If you are experiencing a crisis and need support, call 988.
