FALCONnections

PURPOSE?

FALCONnections is a parent organization housed within the SRHS Foundation intended to provide mental health support and connections and to expand awareness of mental health and wellness resources among the SRHS Community.

Our organization’s primary goal is to nurture wellness before crisis by:

sharing mental health resources with parents
organizing parent talks by local experts in the mental health field on relevant subjects related to parenting teens and nurturing their mental health.
hosting activities that foster parent and student connections
supporting the students on the SRHS campus through training and assemblies

WHY? FALCONnections was inspired by the tragic loss of SRHS ’21 Alumni, Carson Baranek, who took his own life in 2023 in response to mental health challenges he was facing while away at college. FALCONnections was established in 2024 to honor Carson and support other SRHS Community members who may struggle in silence with their mental wellness.

PARENT PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES: We want to help parents and caregivers learn tools to cope with the stresses of raising teens and share mental health resources that are locally available. FALCONnections organizes and sponsors presentations and events with speakers on mental wellness topics focused helping build student resilience and parent tools for combating mental health challenges.

FALCONnections hosted events, talks and supports can include:

Open House Presentations at the beginning of each school year on relevant topics to support student wellbeing
Parent Meet & Greets twice each school year to share resources and provide connections and support to SRHS parents
Real Talks four or five times each school year for SRHS parents
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training for SRHS faculty and staff
Teen Mental Health First Aid for SRHS students
Student Club lunch time events to create safe spaces and enhance community among SRHS students

Please check back regularly for FALCONnections events and related talks throughout the 2025-2026 school year, including:

October 2025– “What I Wish My Parents Knew”

This special event helps parents to better understand the issues students are facing. The event begins with an introduction from Principal Lawson, followed by a student panel featuring six current students who will speak candidly about the issues they are facing in high school.

Future “Real Talks” Coming Fall 2025 and Spring 2026

Please join our e-mail list at srhsfalconnections@gmail.com to receive organizational updates on events and mental health resources. If you have any topics or resources you would like to see brought forward to the SRHS Community through FALCONnections or if you are willing to volunteer to support or expand our mental health support offerings, please reach out using the above e-mail address.

MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS RESOURCES: The following mental health and wellness links can offer guidance and support to the SRHS Community.

SRHS Counseling Supports: https://www.srhscounseling.com/social-emotional-supports

San Diego County Office of Education- Parent Guide to Mental Health: https://www.sdcoe.net/students/health-well-being/mental-health-supports#fs-panel-252783

San Diego County Office of Education – Mental Health and Wellness Webinar Series (Recorded and Scheduled): https://www.sdcoe.net/students/parent-and-community-engagement

San Diego County Office of Education - Teen Guide to Mental Health and Wellness: https://www.sdcoe.net/students/health-well-being/mental-health-supports#fs-panel-21210

Talking to Teens about Mental Health Struggles: https://www.npr.org/2021/03/24/980776808/how-to-talk-and-listen-to-a-teen-with-mental-health-struggles

Up2Us Signs of Mental Health Challenges: https://up2sd.org/topics/mental-health

Rady Childrens Mindfulness Video for Youth: https://vimeo.com/902065607