Los Alamitos, CA: "Serious mental illness" on the increase among students

Sept 3, 2017, OC.com, Los Alamitos (Orange County): LAEF donates $25,000 to support mental health counseling http://www.oc-breeze.com/2017/09/03/107805_laef-donates-25000-support-mental-health-counseling/ LAEF’s Board of Directors provided a donation of $25,000 to support the salaries of the expanded Los Alamitos Unified School District’s mental health department! The Los Alamitos Education Foundation (LAEF) is the trusted partner of the school district, and this donation is another example of LAEF providing significant funding in a critical area that has a positive impact for all students. ... According to Orange County’s annual report on the Conditions of Children, since 2008, serious mental illness among children and teens has led to a 47% increase in the rate of hospitalization. Furthermore, major depression and mood disorders accounted for 64% of all such hospitalizations. In an effort to proactively address this need, Los Alamitos USD has hired additional mental health counselors to provide emotional support to our students. LAEF (Los Alamitos Education Foundation) has stepped up to make sure the students of Los Al USD continue to have the support they need, and the funds required to bring counselors to the schools.