California’s schools can’t afford to cut counselors. They keep kids alive in dangerous times

California’s schools can’t afford to cut counselors. They keep kids alive in dangerous times

Guest Commentary written by Ayo Banjo Ayo Banjo leads a stigma reduction campaign funded through the California Youth Behavioral Health Initiative. Weeks after a student and staff member were stabbed and four students arrested at Watsonville High, the school district that serves them is considering laying off every mental health clinician and most of its school counselors.  If you want a snapshot of how we are failing young people, especially b…