VHH Offers CVHS Kids Counseling

By Mary O’KEEFE

Glendale Unified School District has arranged for help through for Verdugo Hills Hospital for Crescenta Valley High School students who need counseling after yesterday’s tragic event.
At about 12:19 p.m. Friday, a 15-year-old boy who has been identified by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office as Drew Ferraro jumped to his death from the roof of a third story building on the CVHS campus in an apparent suicide.
“Students can go to the ER [emergency room] at Verdugo Hills Hospital,” said Dr. Richard Sheehan, GUSD superintendent.
Sheehan added that the counseling will be offered whether the student’s family has insurance or not.
Hospital personnel are aware of the incident and are prepared to help.
In a press conference yesterday, Sheehan advised parents to take an active role in the discussions of the incident with their children.
Verdugo Hills Hospital assistance will be available for students today through Tuesday morning when students are back in school. Site counselors will be available for students on campus for the entire week and longer if necessary, Sheehan said.
GUSD has released this flyer (below) which is also available on the school website www.cvhsfalcons.com:
In an effort to keep on our campus community informed and to assist in processing this tragedy currently facing our broader
community, the following resources are available:
(1) There are three crisis hotlines that are operational:
Didi Hirsch Mental Health California Suicide and Crisis Hotlines LA County Department of Mental Health Hotline
24-Hour Crisis Hotline 1-800-273-TALK or 1-800-273-8255 24 Hours / 7 Days
1-877-727-4747 1-800-854-7771
(2) Those in need of emergency psychiatric services can seek assistance from VERDUGO HILLS HOSPITAL. Even if you
cannot pay for treatment, the GUSD has arranged for these services to be available over the three-day weekend.
The following statement has been released by Dr. Richard M. Sheehan, Superintendent of Schools:
Unfortunately, many students and CVHS community members will be dealing with a variety of difficult emotions as a result of Friday’s
traumatic event. However, if you believe that your child is experiencing a mental health emergency requiring psychiatric support, we
encourage you to obtain the appropriate care for your child.
We know that some families may not have access to psychiatric services because of financial reasons, and the Glendale Unified
School District does not want an inability to pay for treatment to be the reason that your child does not receive the emergency services
they need. Therefore, the District has made arrangements with Verdugo Hills Hospital to cover the costs of emergency mental
health treatment throughout the three-day weekend.
If your child is experiencing a life-threatening emergency, dial 911 immediately. If your child is having a mental health emergency and
can be safely transported, please take your child to the Emergency Room at Verdugo Hills Hospital and tell them that your child is a
student in the Glendale Unified School District. Hospital personnel are aware that the Glendale Unified School District will be covering
the cost of this treatment if you are unable to do so.
Verdugo Hills Hospital
1812 Verdugo Boulevard
Glendale, CA 91208
818-790-7100
www.verdugohillshospital.org
Click this link for Google Maps directions.
Crescenta Valley High School
2900 Community Avenue x La Crescenta, CA 91214 x 818.249.5871 x 818.541.9531 fax
Dr. Michele T. Doll, Principal
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