Post from Community: Kids’ mental health doesn’t take a summer vacation | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
SaintA
June 24, 2021
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At the close of a particularly turbulent school year, students of all ages will be losing the structure, routine, and supportive services their schools provide. SaintA is now offering a number of Youth Summer Groups that incorporate a wide range of focuses and therapeutic approaches, including art therapy, meditation and mindfulness exercises, in addition to training on healthy coping mechanisms.
Many southeastern Wisconsin children and families are unable to access mental health care outside of school-based services, and as we collectively weather a widespread mental health crisis some refer to as ‘the second pandemic,’ the fallout from losing access to such services for even a handful of months can be detrimental and have long-lasting consequences.
“We often hear about the ‘Summer Slide’ as it refers to learning and educational outcomes, but the same concept applies to children’s mental and emotional wellbeing,” said Dr. Pahlavan, VP of Clinical Services at SaintA. “Especially in such a difficult year, with the pandemic causing a lot of families to experience loss of income, loss of loved ones, and disconnect from their typical support systems, making sure our kids are receiving the mental health attention they need is a priority.”
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Aware of the importance of ongoing care, the leaders in trauma informed care and school-based mental health at SaintA are filling that crucial gap in children’s mental health services by facilitating support groups and therapy opportunities throughout the summer to cater to the needs of children and families.
In addition to both Youth and Adult Summer Group offerings, the Clinic at SaintA provides individual, family, and group outpatient mental health services, with an expert staff well-equipped to address ongoing mental health challenges as well as the unique challenges brought on in the wake of COVID-19.
“The power of a compassionate, consistent approach to mental health is undeniable. The work in our Clinic, and the Summer Groups, gives our clients the opportunity to be heard, be felt, and learn how to thrive,” said Dr. Pahlavan.
About SaintA:
SaintA is an evolving, community-facing human services organization based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As a national leader in recognizing and addressing the impact of trauma, SaintA has been caring for children for more than 170 years. Championing families, SaintA offers a comprehensive array of prevention, intervention and crisis resources to facilitate equity, learning, healing and wellness by restoring the connections that help children and families thrive. Learn more at https://sainta.org/.