SAFE Project’s Youth VOICE (Volunteer, Opportunity, Inspire, Connect, Empower) Council was formed in 2023, providing high school students with an opportunity to work in their communities to overcome the stigma associated with mental health and substance use disorders.
As a new school year begins, many students face anxiety, stress, and uncertainty, but they don’t have to face it alone. Protective factors like strong relationships, supportive environments, and healthy outlets can make all the difference. SAFE Project asked members of our Youth VOICE Council to reflect on what helped them most during tough transitions and to share advice for their peers heading back to school. Here’s what they had to say:
Nina
Nina, a rising senior at Cinco Ranch High School, still remembers the swirl of nerves she felt stepping onto campus as a freshman. Back then, high school felt massive—an ocean compared to the small pond of middle school she was used to. She’d heard about “Fish Camp” from her older sister, who insisted it was just something freshmen did. But that didn’t make it any less intimidating.
“I didn’t know what to expect,” Nina says. “I was worried I might feel out of place. But I walked in and immediately felt seen.”
Fish Camp is a long-standing tradition at Cinco Ranch, named after the affectionate term “fish” for freshmen—the youngest in the school’s social ecosystem. The program links incoming freshmen and sophomores with upperclassmen mentors, giving them a jumpstart on forming friendships, learning the layout of campus, and figuring out who to turn to when things get overwhelming. It’s not just orientation; it’s connection.
“Meeting people ahead of time made the first day of school feel less like a big unknown,” she says, “and more like something I’d already started.”
For Nina, that first day at Fish Camp changed everything. Instead of feeling lost, she left with a mental map of her schedule, a few new names and faces in her contact list, and the quiet confidence that comes from knowing you belong.
“Meeting people ahead of time made the first day of school feel less like a big unknown,” she says, “and more like something I’d already started.”
Now, Nina’s the one wearing the leader badge. As a senior, she volunteers to mentor the new “fish,” answering questions, showing them around, and offering the same warmth and encouragement she received years ago. She estimates about 70 to 80 percent of her classmates went through Fish Camp, and she believes that number speaks for itself.
“It’s voluntary, but most of us come back to help,” she explains. “Because we remember what it felt like to be new.”
Nina’s advice for new students? “There’s no pressure to be perfect. You don’t have to be loud or outgoing. Just show up. Everyone’s in the same boat, and that boat gets a lot easier to steer when you’re not paddling alone.”
As for her final message to students, families, and schools this season?
“Don’t underestimate the power of small moments. Whether it’s a structured program like Fish Camp or just a classmate offering a smile, those little connections are what make high school feel less like a system—and more like a home.”
Thomas
At Herricks High School, senior Thomas knows that not every change comes with a big announcement or a banner in the hallway. Sometimes, it starts with a link to a Google Form.
Near the end of the last school year, every student at Herricks High School was asked to take part in a digital survey administered during gym class and completed via mobile device or Chromebook. It might have looked like a simple school assignment, but for Thomas, it was something bigger: a deliberate effort to bridge the gap between students and school leadership.
“The survey gave us a direct line of communication,” he says. “Every student had a chance to share how they were feeling. It was open to all students, so no voice was left behind.”
The idea was simple: ask students how comfortable they feel at school, with their teachers, with administrators, and with the overall environment. Most questions were ranked on a 1-to-5 scale—nothing flashy, but meaningful in how it made students pause and reflect. Thomas doesn’t recall every question word-for-word, but the intention stuck with him.
“I don’t know who exactly created it. Probably a combination of teachers and higher-ups, but it felt like they actually wanted to know how we were doing,” he says. “That’s not something you get every day.”
It wasn’t the school’s first attempt at collecting feedback, but this survey felt different to Thomas. It was schoolwide. It was easy to access. And it asked about things that actually mattered to students, not just academics or logistics.
The results haven’t been shared yet, and no changes have been rolled out…yet. The survey came near the end of the school year, so any adjustments are likely still in the works. But even without immediate outcomes, Thomas believes the act of asking matters.
“It felt like the staff really cared,” he says. “It gave us a chance to be heard.”
As students, families, and teachers head into a new school year, Thomas offers this advice: “If you ever feel lost or distraught, just know that there will always be someone there for you. A teacher, a friend, a parent. Just speak up. Advocate for yourself. That’s how real change starts.”
And sometimes, it starts with something as simple as checking a box.
So Eun
When So Eun moved to the United States in eighth grade, everything felt foreign. New language, new school, new rules, new faces. But what she remembers most clearly is not the culture shock or confusion, but instead her school counselor.
“He helped me adjust, connected me with clubs and students who later became my friends, and just…showed up,” she says. “That made all the difference.”
Now a rising junior at Beachwood High School in Ohio, So Eun still leans on the memory of that early support. And she’s not just talking about test prep or class schedules. Her counselor helped her rework a mismatched class schedule, guided her toward spaces where she could thrive, and built trust over time—one visit, one conversation, one act of listening at a time.
“School can be overwhelming,” she says. “But when there’s an adult on campus you trust, it makes school feel less like a system and more like a place where you belong.”
So Eun believes this kind of support shouldn’t be left to chance. While some students at her school are aware of the resources available to them, many still don’t take that first step. She has ideas for fixing that. Her suggestions? Monthly check-ins. Brief surveys asking, “Do you want to talk to someone?” A reminder that teachers’ before-and-after-school availability isn’t just for homework—it’s also for heart-to-hearts.
“Sometimes students don’t know they can ask for help,” she says. “Even a small gesture can open a door.”
When asked what makes an adult feel “approachable,” So Eun says it’s not about grand gestures. It’s consistency. It’s visibility. It’s creating moments that say, I’m here for more than just assignments.
At school, she’s recently found that kind of support again—this time in teachers and club advisors who’ve encouraged her through tough classes and challenging extracurricular activities. At home, her strongest protective factor is her mom: “She’s the first person I go to when I’m overwhelmed.”
So what’s So Eun’s advice for students and families heading into the back-to-school season?
“Freshmen especially—get to know your counselor early. Don’t wait until you’re stressed. Building that relationship early gives you someone in your corner when it really counts.”
And for schools? “Keep support systems visible. Keep conversations open. Keep showing students you care.” Because for students like So Eun, that support isn’t just helpful—it’s transformative.
Sai Vummadi
“Having parents or guardians who show up, listen, and give you time is one of the strongest protective factors a kid can have when facing back-to-school anxiety.”
When I returned to in-person school in 8th grade—after two years of virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic—it felt like stepping into an entirely new world. The routines, the noise, the sheer number of people—it was all overwhelming. Coming back after a long summer break only added to the anxiety. I felt out of place and unsure of myself.
During that difficult transition, my parents were my anchor. They listened without judgment, reassured me that my feelings were completely normal, and reminded me that many students were going through the same thing. They helped me understand that adjusting would take time—and that it would get easier.
They also helped me shift my perspective. School, they reminded me, isn’t just about tests and homework; it’s also about friendships, fun experiences, and discovering who you are. My school supported that too, easing us back in with games and relaxed class periods instead of jumping straight into academics. That slower pace really helped.
The little things mattered more than I expected: school lunch, an ice cream stop on the way home, a donut in the morning. My parents used those small moments to distract me, encourage me, and give me something to look forward to.
Looking back now, I realize how much of a difference that consistent love and support made. Having parents or guardians who show up, listen, and give you time is one of the strongest protective factors a kid can have when facing back-to-school anxiety. Teachers and counselors matter too, but when they’re not always available, a steady presence at home can make all the difference. Thanks to mine, I didn’t just get through it—I learned to love school again.
Serenity Cheatham
One of the biggest protective factors for me in school has been being part of a team. Since freshman year, I’ve been on the lacrosse team, and I joined the debate team in sophomore year.
Each year of high school brings its own unique challenges. Freshman year, especially, can feel isolating, but joining a team gave me a fast track to building strong friendships. It created a sense of belonging at a time when everything felt new and uncertain.
Being on a team also helps me manage stress. It gives me something to focus on outside of academics, something that keeps me grounded and motivated. Whether it’s practice, a game, or prepping for a debate, having those outlets has made a huge difference in how I experience school.