Do you ever feel like you need to talk to someone about something that’s bothering you or you just want to get it off your chest?
Poly has a place where students can do exactly that, and it is called the CARE Center in room 205. Mr. Gray is the counselor, and the hours are from 7:30 AM to 1 PM Monday through Friday.
Students can go there for personal concerns, family problems, academic problems, to improve relationships in school or at home, child abuse, sexual abuse, depression, self harm, suicidal thoughts, student-athlete issues, or anything they are struggling with.
If students need help, they can tell their teacher during class, and get a pass to the CARE Center. The center is not an excuse to get out of class. Other options, besides going to the center during class, is to go during nutrition or lunch.
Counseling groups consist of personal development, stress and anxiety, and grief and loss. It also has groups to help support parents and teachers.
“If a student is ever scared to go to the CARE Center, you should know that everything you talk about in there is completely confidential,” Senior Lily Brossus said. “No one will know what you share, not your parents, friends, or teachers. It’s a safe environment, and if you have problems, I encourage people to go if they need help.”
The CARE Center is a safe place, and Poly students are encouraged to go seek help. All of the counselors are supportive, and the center helps approximately 1,500 students each year.
“Everyone should know that it’s okay to talk about your problems, because us peer counselors are students at Poly just like all the kids who come in,” Senior Zenita Leang stated. “We’ve experienced things like some of the people who come in.”
“It’s a really safe place where you can meet new people who really care about you and want to help you with your problems or whatever you have going on in your life that’s bothering you,” senior Abby Rubin explained.
The CARE Center has helped people with all kinds of problems, no matter how big or small. The counselors are there to listen, give advice, and guide students while they are struggling. They are also there to make students feel better and like they are cared about.
“As a freshman and sophomore, I learned that the CARE Center was a place where you could go for help,” Leang said. “I realized that it’s a very useful and valuable resource to have and it was something I wanted to be part of to help fellow students out and make them feel better.”