Students turn attention to mental health awareness

Mental health awareness was the topic of discussion Saturday at the Coachella Valley High School Health Academy regional conference.

Hundreds gathered at CSUSB in Palm Desert to talk about mental health awareness. Students popping balloons as part of the pop the stigma campaign and joining together to combat the stigmas associated with the illness.

“Mental health is such an important subject because it leads to an unhealthy lifestyle, which people have no control over. And it’s up to us to make sure those people feel more welcomed in society,” said Simon Moore, California state president of HOSA.

Moore said he wanted to focus on mental illness because it’s impacted his community.

“It’s a big deal because although people might think its not prevalent, because there’s one or two in a certain area, one is too many,” Moore said.

This is the first time a student from the Coachella Valley has been selected as president.

“I’m definitely interested in getting into the medical field, like a surgeon but more specifically my dream is to become a neurosurgeon,” Moore said.

Leadership skills run in the family. Moore’s father, also Simon Moore, said he’s proud of his son.

“He was elected back in March and assumed his position in June and he basically represents the state of California on health care issues and mental health initiatives,” the elder Moore said.

He agrees more attention needs to be paid to mental health.

“Mental health affects everyone, more than people know. It affects youth. It affects adults and young adults. And we needed to have our kids aware what’s going on out there and so they can be more proactive knowing its an issue and they can do something about it,” Moore Sr. said.

Students will spend the day learning in workshops and focusing on their careers as future health professionals.