Fresno Students Presented Mental Health Project

Justin Garza High School students showcased their Buddy Box initiative at a statewide conference in Anaheim.

Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Secondary Education

Gouache-painted illustration of a wooden box filled with sensory objects like smooth stones and soft fabric, representing mental health resources for children. — Students from Fresno's Justin Garza High School recently presented their Buddy Box initiative, which provides elementary classrooms with sensory tools for emotional well-being, at a NAMI California conference. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Students from Justin Garza High School in Fresno presented their Buddy Box project at the NAMI California Conference. The initiative provides elementary school classrooms with sensory tools and mental health resources to help younger children manage stress.

Why it matters

The program aims to foster early emotional well-being by normalizing conversations about mental health in schools. By equipping classrooms with specific materials, the students hope to teach younger peers how to effectively identify and manage their emotions.

The Buddy Box initiative was one of only two high school groups chosen from 200 total applications for the NAMI California conference. Each kit contains sensory items and bilingual educational resources for both English and Spanish-speaking teachers.

The players

Justin Garza High School

This is a secondary education institution based in Fresno, California, that supports student-led mental health initiatives.

NAMI California

This organization represents the state chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness and hosts conferences to highlight mental health advocacy.

The details

Justin Garza High School students created Buddy Boxes to offer sensory and stress-relief items for younger students in elementary school classrooms. Additionally, members of the school's NAMI Club conduct direct presentations for youth and professionals to promote proactive mental health discussions.

October 2026: Students presented the Buddy Box at the NAMI conference in Anaheim.

Culture Shift

This presentation reflects a broader societal shift toward integrating mental health literacy into early education rather than waiting until crises occur. It aligns with growing efforts by NAMI California to elevate student voices in professional advocacy spaces.

Elementary school classrooms in the local community can utilize these Buddy Box tools to create calming environments for students. Parents and educators may see an increase in mental health awareness programs appearing in local school settings as students expand these outreach efforts.

The takeaway

Empowering students to lead mental health initiatives can bridge gaps in support for younger children who are still learning to process their emotions. Implementing sensory-based strategies provides teachers with tangible tools to assist students with immediate stress management in the classroom.