'I am not alone': NAMI Southwest Washington volunteers share their mental health journeys with high school students
May 19-Serenity Scerbo said she felt alone as a teen. Soon, that feeling spiraled into nightmares, panic attacks and feelings of worthlessness.
On Tuesday morning, the Camas resident told an audience of 900 students at Skyview High School what it was like being a teenager with complex post-traumatic stress and panic anxiety disorders.
"It seemed like all of my friends were living perfect lives," said Scerbo, 23. "Everyone was either too happy or too busy for me to bother them with my problems. Once I decided to finally reach out and speak about my mental health, I realized that I am not alone."
Scerbo, who received her bachelor's degree from Washington State University Vancouver last week, is a volunteer for the National Alliance on Mental Illness Southwest Washington. She gives presentations as part of the Ending the Silence program, which aims to dispel myths and shame about mental health, said Jennifer Bell, the youth program manager of NAMI Southwest Washington.
The free, evidence-based, 50-minute presentations are designed to help middle and high school students navigate conversations about mental health. So far this year, NAMI Southwest Washington presented at Ridgefield and Hudson's Bay high schools, with the hopes of reaching more schools throughout Clark County.
"The point of the presentation is to share information about suicide prevention, to talk about mental health experiences, talk about treatment options and things that can help, but all from the perspective of people who have lived with the condition and have since recovered from it," Bell said.
A survey by the Washington State Department of Health showed Clark County students reported lower rates of depression and suicidal feelings compared with recent years.
On the topic of depression, students were asked, "In the past 12 months, did you ever feel so sad or hopeless almost every day for two weeks or more in a row that you stopped doing some usual activities?"
The survey said 29 percent of Clark County 12th graders responded "yes," down from 31 percent in 2023.
Additionally, 12 percent of 12th graders reported seriously contemplating suicide in the past year, compared with 16 percent in 2023 and 21 percent in 2021.
NAMI Southwest Washington Executive Director Kim Schneiderman said the results underscore the importance of continuing conversations about mental health, which she believes are helping drive the decline in rates of young people reporting persistent feelings of sadness, depression and suicidal ideation.
"The rates are lowering, and that is really exciting, but they are lowering because people are more open about it," Schneiderman said. "They're talking about it. They're addressing it. The minute you take your eye off the ball, it's going to turn around."
The presentation also provided students resources, including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which provides people in crisis with free and confidential support.
Anonymous surveys given to students after the presentations from NAMI Southwest Washington typically show 88 percent say they feel confident talking about mental health and supporting a loved one after the presentation.
It also gives volunteers an opportunity to share their stories with youth, an experience Bell said many describe as empowering.
"I'm really proud of them, and I know the students and staff really appreciate it when they come out and share their stories," Bell said.
Sandra Fachiol, another volunteer presenter, told students asking for help was the hardest moment in her mental health journey but also the most important thing she did to start her recovery from depression and anxiety.
"It was scary to ask for help, but it was worth it," Fachiol said. "I think that if you asked me 10 years ago where I wanted to be today, I would have told you that I just wanted to be alive. Here I am. I'm alive - and I'm so much more."
This story was made possible by Community Funded Journalism, a project from The Columbian and the Local Media Foundation. Top donors include the Ed and Dollie Lynch Fund, Patricia, David and Jacob Nierenberg, Connie and Lee Kearney, Steve and Jan Oliva, The Cowlitz Tribal Foundation and the Mason E. Nolan Charitable Fund. The Columbian controls all content. For more information, visit columbian.com/cfj.
Unlock all stories. Stay informed.
Starting at just $1.99/week
Become a subscriber and get unlimited access to every story, plus our ePaper and app for seamless reading anywhere. Stay informed, support local journalism, and stay connected to your community.
Subscribe today
Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.