According to the American Psychiatric Association, 43% of American adults have reported that the coronavirus pandemic has had a serious impact on their mental health.

As the pandemic's effects linger, recognizing May as Mental Health Awareness Month is particularly critical. 

In this week's "In Focus SoCal," host Tanya McRae sits down with State Sen. Anthony Portantino to discuss new legislation he's proposed this year to better educate both students and teachers on mental health. 

Senate Bill 224 would require students to receive age-appropriate mental health education at least once during elementary school, once during middle school and once during high school. SB 14 would allow mental health to be an excusable absence from school, just like physical health.

"It also seeks to train 50% of all school personnel to recognize the warning signs of mental health, depression, suicide, again, so we could make a more nurturing, safe environment for our kids when they return back to school," Portantino said. 

Portantino also opens up about his brother's suicide in 2010, which impacted his outlook on mental health and the need to destigmatize.

Like Portantino, Matthew Fernandez — a school-based therapist with the Monrovia Unified School District — has seen firsthand why prioritizing mental health is essential. Fernandez explains the symptoms of mental disorders in youth and discusses how the pandemic has impacted students. 

"I would say one of the biggest things is check in with your kids, and just ask genuinely, 'How are you doing?'" Fernandez said. ​

Spectrum News 1's Sarah Pilla shares a Hermosa Beach mother's journey after losing her son struggling with mental health before accidentally overdosing. 

Reporter Ryann Blackshere Vargas talks to members of the Sad Girls Club that is conquering their mental health challenges through sisterhood. 

Send us your thoughts to InFocusSocal@charter.com and watch at 9 a.m. and noon Sundays.