Natural Helpers is a national program based on the premise that when young people have problems, they most often turn to friends whom they trust for help, and that within every school an informal “helping network” exists.

Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, ABC was able to make funds available to the Mariposa County High School counseling department from 2016 through the spring of 2018. In the fall of 2019, Mariposa County Health and Human Services Agency was able to take over the funding of this very valuable program.

Natural Helpers trains students to have the skills they need to be better listeners and to help other students find resources based on what they hear.

Every other year as part of the program, MCHS provides these students with a workshop on mental health issues for teens. It’s a national program provided by Mariposa County Behavioral Health.

At the start of each school year, candidates are nominated by teachers or by students who went through the Natural Helpers program in previous years. Students also hear about the opportunity through MCHS’s morning announcements. All students with good academic standing are welcome to apply. Applications are available in the counseling office.

Successful candidates are students who are easy to talk to and who others turn to for guidance. They convey non-judgmental attitudes and a caring personality. They are willing to help a friend in need and are trustworthy and respectful.

Up to twenty-four students are chosen to participate each year.

Below, students are shown going through training at the Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort.

For more information about the program, contact the MCHS Counseling Office: 742-0260.