by David Ngô

Today, schools are facing a rising youth mental health crisis.

Compounded by learning loss and educational fatigue among youth, classified workers like Brittney Clark of Newman-Crows Landing Chapter 551 are addressing the crisis by leading conversations about improving youth mental health.

“Mental health and advocacy are huge trends in our youth. The stigma surrounding mental health and mental health treatments is quickly fading, and it's amazing to see,” said Clark, a 2022 Member of the Year (MOY) recipient who works as a library clerk for the Newman-Crows Landing Unified School District (NCLUSD).

"I have found my students respond most to honesty. It's rare for these kids to have an adult figure agree that life sucks sometimes and that it's okay to struggle through as long as you're still moving forward.”

Clark, who also serves as chapter president, was recognized for winning CSEA’s annual award at a September 12 district meeting and addressed the school board.

“They need to be heard and know we all struggle with similar feelings, without having their own feelings and understandings limited or discredited,” Clark added.

For the last seven years, Clark has worked at multiple sites within NCLUSD. But it was at Orestimba High School where she began taking on a more active role in her community’s response to mental health, with the support of Principal Justin Pruett.

“Outside of her library duties, Brittney has also assisted in starting our on-campus mental health club. Our National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Club has become one of our most active clubs and has provided a foundation of support within our student body,” said Pruett.

“Through her work with NAMI, Brittney has helped our students have a real voice on campus and a very clear outlet to ask for help with their mental health or safety as needed.”

As NAMI club co-advisor, Clark works to provide a safe space for her students to talk about their everyday struggles, forging relationships with students in need of support.

“NAMI has taken students to participate in the Suicide Awareness Month in Modesto, facilitated classroom discussions with students around school climate/culture, and circulated positive messages around campus for those struggling with mental health,” said Julie Aguiniga, mental health clinician and Clark's coworker at NCLUSD.

“Brittney has been instrumental in the process of creating change to foster a more positive school climate for our students and staff.”

In addressing the crisis, Clark has also made it part of her mission to improve the wellbeing of her fellow CSEA members, both professionally and personally.

As chapter president, Clark advocates for her members to cross train in jobs outside of their own to gain experience before a job vacancy opens up. Throughout her chapter presidency, Clark has maintained open lines of communication for members to connect on work issues and personal concerns.

“Brittney never puts herself first, chapter members are her priority,” said Gloria Torres, Secretary II and Chapter 551 treasurer.

“From giving out her personal cell phone number and email to taking the time to get to know the members and advocating for all. She is our CSEA Chapter 551 super woman.”

Clark's ability to juggle her library duties, union activism, and commitment to students personifies how CSEA members are creating positive change in their school communities for both students and staff.

So, when it came time to accept her Member of the Year award at the 96th Annual Conference in Las Vegas, Clark shifted her focus from her students’ mental health to that of her fellow union sisters and brothers.

"I want you to leave here knowing that one in six adults have a mental health issue they're struggling with. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people aged 10 to 34,” Clark said on July 25.

"When you look around the room, there's plenty of us in here that are struggling and are having a hard time and that's okay. Life sucks sometimes, and we all know these last three years have been the perfect example of how bad it can get. But you are not alone.”