Mental Health Resources
Many people are feeling the stress of taking care of children at home, often while teleworking themselves. Families with elderly or sick members are dealing with even stricter isolation to prevent COVID-19 in this vulnerable population. Financial concerns may be impacting families in ways that they have not experienced. Complicating matters further, our typical ways of de-stressing, such as going to the gym, watching or playing sports, meeting for happy hours with co-workers or hanging out with friends, have come to a temporary halt.
View a full list of resources available to families in need
Visit Mental Health Awareness 2020 website
Suggestions to support your psychological well-being:
- Acknowledge and accept negative emotions as they come.
- Invest energy in managing things that are in your control.
- Create new routines that support the needs of everyone at home.
- Reinvent self-care during this time ensuring proper nutrition, sleep, exercise, and social connectivity.
- Evaluate what is truly important by reflecting, relating, and embracing what matters.
Safe2Say
Even though school buildings are closed, student safety and wellbeing continues to be a top priority. School closure can cause increased anxiety and stress. If you are concerned about a friend, tell someone who can help. The Safe2Say Something tipline remains open and responsive 24/7. The Safe2Say app and helpline is also always available as a tool for anyone to report concerns regarding child abuse.
Visit Safe2Say website
Download Safe2Say Mobile App
Helpline: 1-844-SAF2SAY
Lakeside and Merakey Counseling Services
Lakeside and Merakey Counseling services remain available to our students in the virtual setting, under the present circumstances. Our school counselors are aware of the process in connecting students to these services, and will be communicating with their families as well as the Lakeside and Merakey personnel. Lakeside and Merakey are no longer able to provide group counseling, however, all other individual counseling services remain intact. Below are the services specific to each organization as well as other resources that our counselors will be able to utilize in supporting our students and their families.
Merakey: SAP and School Based Outpatient (SBOP-PD, NPHS)
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SAP Screenings: In accordance with parent permission policies, students and their parents/guardians may receive a SAP Screening via Telehealth.
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SAP Consultations with school staff: Merakey SAP staff may participate in these meetings and exchanges by phone/zoom.
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SAP Parent/Teacher Meetings: Merakey SAP staff may participate in these meetings and exchanges by phone/zoom.
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SAP Core Team Meetings: Merakey SAP staff may participate in these meetings and exchanges by phone/zoom.
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Teen Intervene/Marijuana Brief Intervention: In accordance with parent permission policies, students and Merakey SAP staff may conduct these individual support services by Telehealth.
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MH3 (3 hours of individual counseling sessions): In accordance with parent permission policies, students and Merakey SAP staff may conduct these individual support services by Telehealth
Lakeside
Individual Counseling services to include check-ins, supports, and providing resources for families.
Springfield Psychological
Now providing Telehealth Services for outpatient therapy and psychiatric medication management to support both new and existing patients from the comfort of their home until the Coronavirus outbreak resolves. To learn more about Telehealth Services please contact Intake office directly 610-544-2110 x 2 or visit Springfield Psychological Telehealth Services website.
Onward Behavioral Health
As a provider of behavioral healthcare services, Pyramid Healthcare, Inc. and all of its affiliated companies and staff are committed to finding ways to continue delivering quality care during this uncertain time. Therefore, they have implemented the ability to offer the same services in all of outpatient locations during the current crisis using telehealth videoconferencing technology.
This will help us ensure that patients have access to group, individual, family, and medication management sessions in the event that they cannot visit our Rehab After Work, The Light Program and Seeds of Hope locations in Pennsylvania in person. These services will be available for partial hospitalization/partial care (PHP/PCP), intensive outpatient (IOP), and outpatient (OP) levels of care.
For any questions or to schedule an initial assessment, please call (610) 644-6464 or visit Onboard Behavioral Health website.
Laurel House Domestic Violence Support
Laurel House’s shelter has long been known as a safe place to heal. However, for numerous decades, their programs have expanded to include many other needed services and support resources. Today, in addition to the 24-hour hotline and shelter, Laurel House offers transitional housing, medical advocacy, legal advocacy, counseling and support groups, children’s programs, law enforcement collaboration, and expanded community education and prevention efforts. Help, support and information are available to through Laurel House. Please visit Laurel House's website or call the confidential, 24-hour hotline at 1-800-642-3150.
Victims Services Center of Montgomery County, Inc.
Victim Services Center of Montgomery County, Inc. offices are closed but services are still available including counseling, advocacy and prevention education. Contact the hotline (1-888-521-0983), visit Victims Services website or/and view the director’s message for details. Multiple online forms are available on the website for crime victims, social workers/allied professionals and teachers. Virtual Prevention Education is available. Please contact [email protected] for sample options.
- Thursday, May 14, 2020: Creating Conversations: Talking to young people about boundaries and consent!
Join us for a free workshop on May 14th at 6pm designed to help parents and other adults who care about teens, have conversations that open a dialogue between them and the children in their life about boundaries, and sexual abuse. Educators from Victim Services Center and Laurel House have teamed up to offer this workshop via Zoom to any community member who wants to be a part of changing our culture and preventing sexual violence. Our hope is that this workshop will help adults who care about teens to feel empowered and confident having important conversations with the young people in their lives about boundaries, consent and asking for help. We hope this collective effort by the adults in our community could help to prevent sexual violence from occurring and create a more supportive environment for young survivors of sexual violence. View more information and to register for the first Creating Conversations Workshop
- Monday, August 17, 2020: Mandated Reporter Training (Rescheduled)
This training is approved by the Department of Education and Department of Human Services to meet Act 126 and Act 31 requirements. Register now for Mandated Reporter Training
Family Services
Family Services is now offering virtual visits through the Positive Parenting Program (Triple P)! Triple P is open to all parents/caregivers in Montgomery County with children ages 0-18. Family Services knows this is a challenging time. You might feel a little isolated, unsure of how to manage challenging behaviors, or you might like ideas for creating or maintaining family routines. Family Services' Triple P team is offering free virtual visits to provide support to YOU as a caregiver. Virtual visits are flexible and can be held during morning, afternoon or evening hours. For more information, contact Jessica Sublett at [email protected] or 484-938-8558 (call or text).
The Center for Loss and Bereavement
Visit The Center for Loss and Bereavement website
Suffering a loss and working through grief during this time are unchartered waters. You do not have to navigate alone. The Center for Loss and Bereavement is a non-profit resource of specialized knowledge and professional support that provides meaningful connection and restorative guidance for those impacted by grief. The therapists at the Center for Grief and Bereavement in Skippack are holding counseling sessions through Telehealth and are accepting new clients, individuals and families. Counseling is offered year-round.
Safe Harbor Program at Abington Hospital
Although support groups have been suspended, Safe Harbor offers resources on their website
Visit Safe Harbor website
View toolkit for grieving children
Montgomery County Mobile Crisis Support
Visit Montgomery County Mobile Crisis Support website
Montgomery County Mobile Crisis provides not only immediate support for crisis situations, but also assistance with managing recurring or future crises. Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-855-634-HOPE (4673). This service is available to anyone in Montgomery County, including children, teens, adults, and families.
Montgomery County Mobile Crisis Support Peer Support + Teen Talk Line
When you start to recognize the stressors that you or a loved one have felt during previous crises, please call Montgomery County’s peer support talk line at (855) 715-8255. It is available, free of charge, 7 days a week, 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Montgomery County also has a Teen Talk Line that can be reached by calling 866-825-5856 or texting 215-703-8411. It is available Monday through Friday, 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm.