The Stanford Teen Health Van, located at San Mateo High School, offered free health services to students in the district on Oct. 28. The van is available every month. From August to October this year, the van has serviced over 75 students.
“[T]he health van [is] a great resource because students who don’t have access to health care outside the school setting … have access to this,” said Mental Health Therapist Staysha Veal. “It is extremely beneficial for getting access [right away] and … you’ll have that part of your life supported.”
The mobile clinic, which has two exam rooms, has been in service for two years. The van, funded by the Peninsula Healthcare District Grant, provides students access to vaccines, immunization, HIV testing, physical exams, health education, nutrition counseling and medications counseling at no charge.
“They’re licensed professionals, they’re clinicians, they’re nurses,” Veal said. “They can do all types of testing and provide some medication and forms of assessments. [They provide] basic needs and preventable care [to students].”
In addition, to assure students’ privacy, the van does not require a parent’s approval to sensitive health care which include pregnancy tests, pelvic exams and mental health counseling.
“We have students that come in for sensitive health care needs and they don’t always want their parents or guardians to know,” said April Torres, SMUHSD district’s manager of mental health services. “We want to make sure that [students] are making healthy relationships, healthy choices and protecting themselves.”
The van opens as early as 8:30 a.m. and ends around 3:30 p.m. Usually, an exam will take around 15 to 30 minutes.
“The van fills really quickly every month,” said Wellness Coordinator Joanne Michels. “In addition to the first appointment, they also do follow up appointments as needed. I believe it’s a great opportunity for students to get their health needs met by district program.”
Because the service is held on school days, students need to miss class and leave campus to go to San Mateo High School. While students or families have to provide their own transportation, the SMUHSD district office offers free SamTrans bus tokens for public transportation.
“Most students come in with a parent if they’re coming from another site,” Torres said. “We have a few that … are a little older and they have sensitive health care needs so they’re driving themselves. What we try to do is make appointments early in the morning or in the afternoon.”
Wellness counselor Max Bernstein hopes that providing the van will remove stress students are experiencing due to the struggle to find proper health care.
“Pain and anxiety … are things that make it very difficult to focus,” Bernstein said. “Anxiety around not being sure where you would get your health care being taken care of. [The van] removes one of the barriers for [students].”
The wellness counselors believe physical health directly impacts a student’s behavior at school. The van supports students and helps them perform better in class.
“When students have access to health services they’re more ready to learn,” Michels said. “We are offering students access to health services with the intention of helping them be healthier learners so they can perform to their full potential in the classroom setting … The idea is healthy learners perform better academically.”
Freshman Valerie Fan notices physical health plays an important role in helping her with her studies.
“If I don’t rest enough, the next day is really hard for me to get through,” Fan said. “Especially [during] teenage years, they start telling you to make sure your health is good so you can study well.”
Freshman Zoe Neil had similar thoughts.
“I think it’s important to have a strong body and make sure it’s in good condition,” Neil said. “You want to make sure your body is really healthy so you can focus on your school work and do the best job you can.”
In the beginning of the program, the van hosted an open house where students were able to meet the doctors, nurses and social workers. The feedback from these students were almost all positive.
“Students seemed very interested in going,” Bernstein said. “[They were] happy to have the opportunity to get the service they were asking for.”
Freshman Kamaile Zimmerman, who did not use the service, also believes the van is a very convenient resource to those who need medical care.
“I think [the service] is a really good idea because I know a lot of people don’t have access or don’t have enough money for a regular checkup,” Zimmerman said. “[It is] something really great that [the district] offers for the community.”
The Teen Health Van resembles a real medical clinic, allowing students to experience the same professional care and service. It will be available again on Nov. 26 and Dec. 3. Aragon students can see any member of the counselor staff to get a referral.
