Wellness Center Spotlight: Mission Bay High School Builds Culture of Belonging and Support
The Mission Bay High School Wellness Center provides mental health support, leadership opportunities and student resources.
Sophomore Pietra Tiburcio said the center provided critical support when she experienced anxiety and panic attacks. "When I found the wellness center, I was dealing with a lot of anxiety and panic attacks," she said. "They would often catch me off guard during class. Every time I had an episode, I asked my teacher to go to the wellness center."
Through the center, Tiburcio accessed therapy services. "I was able to deal with the issues that come with the process of trying to understand yourself, your feelings and your reactions," she said.
The Mission Bay High School Wellness Center features comfortable seating areas and a welcoming environment where students can relax, refocus, and recharge throughout the school day.
The wellness center operates from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. During its first year, from December 2024 through May 2025, the center recorded more than 900 student check-ins. This year, the center has recorded over 823 check-ins in the first half of the school year.
Gloria Cota, Mission Bay wellness center coordinator and certified wellness coach, said the center provides support to students through service and leadership opportunities. "We empower students to build confidence through meaningful service, leadership opportunities and acts of giving back," Cota said. "Most importantly, we create a space where every student feels a true sense of belonging: seen, heard and valued as a part of our Mission Bay family."
Senior Tony Martinez said the center connected him with leadership and college resources. "Prior to my senior year, I had spent my high school career isolating myself from extracurriculars and staying in my own comfort zone," he said. "Talking to Ms. Cota, I was able to access resources that provided me with leadership opportunities and college help."
More than 40 student-led clubs operate with support from the wellness center.
The wellness center hosts a professional clothing attire drive, providing students with access to professional wear for job interviews, college visits, and workplace experiences.
Students participate in Suicide Prevention Month activities at Mission Bay High School, including interactive boards where they share what brightens their day and wellness resources.
Most First Gen Club members who applied to college received acceptance to two to three schools, with several earning full scholarships. The Cesar Chavez Service Club partners with local nonprofits and volunteers regularly with the Urban Street Angels youth center. The Chavistas Club used the wellness center as the central drop-off location for its Thanksgiving food drive, feeding 15 families while introducing dozens of students to the center's services.
Mission Bay High School students and staff organized a Thanksgiving food drive Nov. 10-20, using the wellness center as the central collection point. The drive collected enough donations to feed 15 families during the holiday season.
The wellness center partners with outside organizations including SAY San Diego, Mending Matters, Palabras, Youth Leadership Program and HealthCorp. On-campus resources include a Wellness Together therapist and TURN Behavioral Health Services, which provides mental health therapy to students.
"The main goal is to provide something for every student on our campus," Cota said. "If we don't have it, we will try and find it for them and bring it here."
Senior Yemaya Bruce serves as a student liaison for the wellness center and co-founded Mediums of Mental Health. "As a woman of color, I understand the importance of representation and my role in shattering stereotypes, destigmatizing mental health, addressing health disparities, being a voice for students who may not feel comfortable and creating pathways to a more equitable society," she said.
The Mediums of Mental Health program, co-founded by students, provides resources and wellness education while working to destigmatize mental health conversations. This year, the group launched "The Check-In," a student-produced podcast available on Spotify.
Mission Bay High School students (from left) Tegan Gryzb, Yemaya Bruce, and Natalie Chen record an episode of "The Check-In," a student-produced podcast that discusses mental health topics and wellness resources for young people.
Senior Tegan Gryzb said the center provides a space for students to recharge and access support. "Whether I've needed a place to check in with myself and recharge, a quiet place to help me focus on assignments or advice in a time of hardship, the wellness center has always been there as a resource for me," she said.
The center collaborated with Work-Based Learning this year to host the campus's first Trades Fair for students pursuing pathways outside traditional four-year colleges.
The center operates a food pantry stocked by parents and a closet pantry with hygiene kits. Community partners donate services, including sound healing. Monthly yoga at lunch will begin in the new year.
San Diego Unified has identified student wellness as a districtwide priority and formally established it as one of the district's core goals. Mission Bay's wellness center is one of 12 across San Diego Unified serving students at Bell, Canyon Hills, Challenger, DePortola, Farb, Mira Mesa, Mission Bay, Morse, PB Middle, Roosevelt, San Diego High and Wangenheim.
For more information about San Diego Unified wellness centers, visit the district website, contact [email protected] or call 619-725-5501.
Article written by staff of the San Diego Unified School District Strategic Communications and Information Department