Seeing decline in students mental health, South Bay teacher takes action NBC Bay Area [Video]

Stacey Bibo knows that many of her 8th-grade students feel like middle school might just be the worst three years of their lives. Bibo, on the other hand, says getting to teach middle schoolers has been the best 25 years of her life.

“I love them. They’re amazing. They’re like mini-adults and little kids at the same time and I just think they’re all so special,” Bibo said.  

Though Bibo’s love for her middle schoolers hasn’t changed over the years, she has observed a change in them: their overall mental health has declined. 

“They’re becoming more depressed. They’re becoming more anxious. They’re becoming isolated. It really breaks my heart,” Bibo said.

Over the years, helping students with their mental health challenges became a bigger and bigger part of her job, with parents often leaning on Bibo for support. 

“I would give them suggestions, offer the counselors, but I didn’t feel …