High school is usually a time when young people are immersed in social dynamics and navigating their emerging identities. Sisters Jimena and Samantha Lora Ballinas are moving through this phase of life with deep mental health knowledge and skills that are shaping the futures for themselves and their peers.
Jimena, 17, recently graduated from the Applied Technology Center (ATC) High School in Montebello – and her sister, Samantha, 14, will be a sophomore in fall of 2024. Students who attend the school must apply to be admitted based on both personal and academic merit. Both Jimena and Samantha knew they wanted to pursue their high school education at ATC due to the specialized pathways, networking opportunities, and hands-on experience that they would be afforded.
Upon admission, both enrolled in the Health Sciences Pathway – one of four career pathways offered at the school. The program focuses on college and career readiness through an advanced curriculum and partnerships within the health care industry. ATC and the Health Sciences Pathway collaborated with Didi Hirsch to introduce Teen Line, a peer-to-peer hotline for teens by teens in need of mental health support, as an after-school partnership.
Teen Line expanded their Teen Listener pilot program to the ATC campus in 2022 with the support of Montebello Unifi ed School District Director of Educational Services, Dr. Leticia Alvidrez, then Principal, Dr. Stephanie Hardaway, and teacher, Gabriel Solorio. “Teen Line, for me, is such a critical part of what we’re doing [at ATC],” said Solorio. “I wanted our students to not only use the resources, but to become the resource as well.”
95% of ATC’s student body is Latino/a/e. For many in this community, mental health is a subject that is rarely broached within families and this stigma runs deep – often shaping the perceptions and reality of youth.
Despite this notion, both Jimena and Samantha are leaders within their respective circles – transforming the way mental health is viewed amongst their peers. Jimena was part of the inaugural cohort of ATC students who joined as volunteers for Teen Line in 2022, and Samantha is currently in training, preparing to work the line in the fall semester.
Having Teen Line on campus helps to further normalize conversations around mental health through education and training in a safe and supportive environment for the teens. Over a 12-week period, students undergo rigorous training with interactive scenarios designed to prepare them for responding to texts and emails in real-time. The program also provides students with hands-on career development opportunities, with the goal of diversifying the mental health workforce.
“Every single topic has taught me something new,” said Samantha. “It’s important to know that Teen Line isn’t just helping people – it changes you and your perspective about mental health. It changes your relationship with people, and it helps you become more empathetic.”
Both Jimena and Samantha’s motivation to succeed and give back is intrinsic.
“Jimena has really set the example for so many young people at our school and she has become in some important ways, the example, for me as a teacher. [Meaning] I want to really continue being a part of my students’ academic life – helping them excel,” Solorio expressed. “That’s what I love about being a teacher is that I’m able to work with such amazing young people like Jimena and Samantha.”
The girls credit their parents and teachers as their biggest supporters, encouraging them to accomplish anything they set out to do.
“What keeps me going is thinking about the future,” said Samantha. “Having a stable life and being able to be proud of who I’ve become – I know my parents work hard for what they have and for us.”
Jimena is attending UCLA in the fall to study physiological sciences in the pre-med track and hopes to minor in neuroscience. Samantha is looking forward to working with Teen Line in the fall and plans to pursue a career as a forensic pathologist.
