The Peninsula High School Wellness Program provides prevention and short-term intervention for all students facing social and emotional challenges that impact academic performance, attendance, and behavior at school. In a safe and supportive environment students can meet with a wellness counselor to discuss a variety of complex issues such as stress, trauma, suicide, depression, bullying, grief, self-esteem, family life, drug and alcohol use, relationships and gender identity and LGBTQ+.

Students can learn positive, lifelong habits that contribute to their well-being and success. The Wellness Program provides short-term (up to 12 sessions) individual, group and/or drop-in support in a confidential, non-judgmental space staffed with therapists who are dedicated to improving the health, well-being and educational outcomes of all students.

Students: Any student can come in for support during drop in hours. Please let your teacher know you want to come see Miss Lara L. Montoya, MS, LMFT at the Wellness Center and have them write you a pass. 

Parents: Talk with your student's school counselor as the first step to accessing wellness services or come in during drop-in hours.

Lara L. Montoya, MS, LMFT #124095
Wellness Counselor
650-558-2435  

Monday, Wednesday & Friday
2nd period (9:22 - 10:10 a.m.)
4th period (11:20 a.m. - 12:08 p.m.)

Tuesday & Thursday
5th period (12:43 - 1:31 p.m.)
6th period (1:35 - 2:23 p.m.)

If this is a medical or mental health emergency, please contact the following sources immediately:   

Crisis Resources:

• StarVista 24/7 Crisis Hotline: 650-579-0350
• StarVista Teen Crisis Services (Monday - Thursday, 4:30 - 9:30 p.m. PST)
  • Teen Chat: www.sanmateocrisis.org 
  • Teen Text Line: 650-747-6463
• Crisis Text Line: text "home" to 741-741
• Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988
• Anonymous Alerts: www.anonymousalerts.com/sanmateouhsd
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233, www.thehotline.org/
• 911 or visit your nearest hospital emergency room if you can get there safely

Parent Resources:

• The TALK Line: 415-441-KIDS

Community Resources:

• Care Solace is an online no-cost resource with a live 24/7 concierge meant to assist students and families in finding local mental health-related programs and counseling services (with or without insurance). Students and their families can access Care Solace services by contacting the summer Wellness team or:
  • Call 888-515-0595 to speak with someone from your Concierge team
  • Visit www.caresolace.com/smuhsdfamilies

• Rape Trauma Services 24-hour hotline: 650-692-7273
• CORA (Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse): 24-hour hotline: 1-800-300-1080
• Trevor Project (LGBTQIA+ youth): 24 hour hotline: 1-866-488-7386
• Gender Spectrum (Gender non-conforming youth)
• Immigrants Rising