High school brings on a whirlwind of challenges in the form of academic pressures, extracurricular commitments and even college applications. With these, many Cavaliers cannot deal with their pressures, which eventually take a serious toll on their mental health. Ms. Ramirez, the Mental Health Support Specialist, is a very important resource at Coral Gables Senior High during times like these. Keeping a close eye on every single one of her visitors from room 2122, Mrs. Ramirez embraces them with care and treats each student like a precious gem while facing hardships.
Being where she is today, Ms. Ramirez knew she was destined to have a career in psychology at 14-years-old. What sparked her interest were the psychologists who worked at her school. In Colombia, the psychologists motivated her to want to later work in therapy.
“So many people get into the field of psychology because of some trauma or harsh experiences. I don’t feel that was my case. What made me love psychology was mainly because of the work the psychologists did at my school. It was totally different from what they do here. In Colombia, school psychologists would talk to the students to help motivate them to stay in school. This made me love the work that they did, which I think had a huge impact on me. Therefore, I always knew that I wanted to do the same thing,” Ms. Ramirez said.
When she was a 16-year-old, she began college and got her bachelor’s in psychology. From there, she flew to Miami, Fla. to experience going to an American college; however, staying at Nova Southeastern University made her want to settle. This decision to move set her passion for psychology in stone, where she completed her master’s in mental health counseling and became a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. This allowed her to specialize in therapy and group sessions, especially with children.
“I wanted to do therapy, which is why I worked in private practice for a long time. But at one point I wanted to get closer to children and teenagers so that I could have more opportunities to see their environment. The first thing I thought about was school which led me to work as a mental health [student] specialist at many schools in Miami-Dade County,” Ms. Ramirez said.
After nearly ten years of private practice, Ms. Ramirez was looking for something a little more routine-based. She began to consider opportunities within Miami-Dade County Public Schools and found an opportunity in Gables that fit her skill set. Now, whenever Cavaliers have an issue with a teacher or something on the outside that may be troubling them, Ms. Ramirez is there to comfort them. Usually, whenever there is an unexpected situation, teachers refer Cavaliers to her, and sometimes, students come to her directly. Ms. Ramirez works to de-escalate these events and offers counsel. After resolving the issue, she often follows through with the students by checking in with them regularly. Unfortunately, a lot of the students of today have anxiety, causing them to be disinterested in school and not attend all classes. However, Ms. Ramirez helps ease these students with their anxiety and instead pushes a positive narrative.
“Although I have never met Ms. Ramirez, I think it is important for students to have a mental health specialist at school. Many students today go through depression, have severe anxiety and constantly think about self-harm, because they feel as if they have no one they could rely on. As someone who went through many insecurities, talking to someone else who isn’t my friend felt like a relief during middle school,” sophomore Liz Castillo said.
One of Ramirez’s key goals is to make an equal balance between the day-to-day prevention techniques that would prevent mental ill health. This year, she plans to do classroom visits and share her presentations on emotional regulation, bullying, self-esteem and social bonding. She intends to arm Cavaliers with ways to manage their well-being before things worsen. Ms. Ramirez hopes to expand her circle beyond only some classrooms and into the entire school, offering room 2122 to Cavaliers where they can come together and share their stories. By doing this, she can create a space where students feel as if they truly belong.
“I think it is vital to have a mental health specialist at our school. Having a mental health specialist is essential and ensures that students don’t feel alone. Considering how many high school students go through rough times having someone like Ms. Ramirez by our side, can enhance a student’s overall performance. This offers a safe environment where students can share their feelings and get professional help,” sophomore Emilia Kohnstamm said.
Ms. Ramirez is indispensable to Gables, for she has given a hand to students in times of need. With her numerous years of experience in the field of psychology, she advises and guides Cavaliers through times of crisis. This year and for years to come, she hopes to continue her tradition of visiting classrooms to raise awareness and support students. Today and tomorrow, Ms. Ramirez is changing lives, one Cavalier at a time.
