A change of mind: How COVID’s mental health impacts transformed California’s schools

by Emma Gallegos, EdSource March 30, 2025March 26, 2025

Cockapoos Jeter and Scout are Selma Unified's therapy dogs. The dogs work with lead mental health clinician Kristy Rangel in providing social-emotional learning lessons, attendance incentives, crisis response and individual therapy sessions. They are pictured at Selma High School on May 19, 2023, at a mental health awareness event. (Lasherica Thornton/EdSource)

WHEN SCHOOLS SHUTTERED five years ago, many students like Benjamin Olaniyi turned to their phones to find connection during a profoundly unsettling and isolating time.

“Social media made us feel more connected with the world,” said Olaniyi, who is now a junior at King/Drew Medical Magnet High School in Los Angeles.

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