Written by Cloud B. at Belmont Library
Walter Ng is the Program Coordinator for StarVista Crisis Services and is also co-chair on the San Mateo County Suicide Prevention Committee. I recently got the chance to talk to him and ask some questions about mental health and his work with youth and young adults.
Cloud B., Interviewer: Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and what you do for StarVista? What does a typical day in your role look like?
Walter Ng: My focus is on community engagement and outreach to agencies, organizations, local government and schools. The goal is to increase San Mateo County community's awareness of resources and mental health support services. It's so diverse that one day I could be doing presentations at a middle school or tabling at a community event. I could be co-chairing the Suicide Prevention Committee, having meetings at public transit agencies or with communication teams. There are so many things that go into my involvement as a program coordinator that I don't really have the typical day—it just revolves around mental health.
What are your primary goals in your high school outreach work, and what do you find in terms of the mental health of teens?
The primary goal is raising awareness about mental health. September is Suicide Prevention Month, and May is Mental Health Month. It's about reducing stigmas and creating understanding about what those risk factors and warning signs are, and knowing what resources are available in their community, while also empowering students to prioritize their mental health and well-being. We try to cultivate a culture of sincerity so that students feel comfortable discussing their mental health with whoever it may be. We find a lot of challenges are anxiety, depression, social isolation, family dynamics and stress management. We dive into those challenges in the presentations about coping strategies, resilience and equipping students with tools to navigate those challenges.
What are some typical mental health concerns that commonly affect teenagers? What tips do you offer teens for dealing with stress?
With academics, extracurricular activities or even with social media, there's a lot of stressors that are impacting teens on a daily basis. Some of the tips focus on having open communication—finding someone that they're comfortable talking to—either a counselor at the Wellness centers or their family members. It's also about being active, practicing mindfulness, limiting exposure to harmful content on social media and setting realistic goals to help build their resilience and help them cope with stressors they may encounter. For families, it's also continuing that open dialogue, having nonjudgmental conversations and being able to model healthy coping strategies and establish family routines. We encourage professional help where needed—like calling 988 or calling their local crisis center like StarVista Crisis Center at (650) 579-0350 to be as informed as possible about available resources.
What resources or support are available for individuals and families facing mental health challenges?
Our San Mateo Crisis website, opens a new window is a vast source of information and has a resource directory. You can also call us 24/7 at (650) 579-0350 or dial 988. We also post a lot of resources on our San Mateo Crisis Instagram, opens a new window.
How can we better address stigma and discrimination related to mental health?
At the end of the day, information is the biggest resource that helps breaks down stigma: raising awareness about 988, presenting in classrooms and engaging community members at events, educating and creating an open dialogue to talk about mental health and that it’s okay to ask for help and find resources.
What are some of the most rewarding aspects of your mental health crisis work? How do you maintain your own mental health and well-being while working in such a demanding field?
The rewarding part for me is when I am doing a presentation and teens realize what resources are available, and they empower themselves to take care of their own mental health. For my own mental health, I engage in activities that fill up my wellness tank, like spending time outdoors on hikes and walks on the beach, going to the zoo with my wife and daughter and just those things that recharge my mental health battery.
If you would like to have Walter present information or table at an event, you can submit a request.
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