May is Mental Health Awareness month, a month long campaign/event that was started by Mental Health America (MHA) 75 years ago, and has gained more and more traction in recent years. May 8 is Green Out Day for mental health awareness– and the country is responding! Read more about how institutions around the country are bringing more public awareness to this cause. As our own contribution to our community, we have compiled a list of mental health resources for parents, caregivers, educators, and more to help children and teens with various kinds of mental health struggles.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Supportive families, communities, and resources can help youth build strong foundations for lifelong well-being.
- By teaching children and teens coping skills, we can empower them to take charge of their mental health.
- Know the signs of mental health issues in children and teens. Early diagnosis and treatment can save lives; below are some articles to help parents learn more:
A Parent’s Guide to Teen Health (Children’s Hospital Colorado)
A Parent’s Guide to Teen Depression (Helpguide.org)
Spotting Teenage Depression (Geisinger Medical Publication) - Start the conversation early: talking about mental health can help children and teens build coping skills and feel comfortable with their emotions.
- Nurturing relationships and environments are important for helping children and teens develop good mental health and manage life stressors in healthy ways.
- Good mental health increases the ability of children and teens to practice self-care and face challenges with resilience.
Mind Over Matter: Youth Mental Health Matters
In northeastern and central Pennsylvania, the pressing concern of youth mental health comes to the forefront as “Mind Over Matter,” a regional initiative, endeavors to illuminate the challenges faced by the younger generation. Through compelling narratives and informative discussions, the show aims to amplify awareness to address the mental health needs of the youth in these regions.
Aired 02/29/2024 on PBS
Our Five County & Local Resources
🧠Susquehanna Valley United Way (Sunbury):
List of Mental Health Resources: includes various behavioral, mental, emotional, and drug/alcohol rehabilitative services
Website
🫂CMSU (Columbia, Montour, Snyder, Union Counties) Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (Danville):
The CMSU system provides a wide range of mental health, intellectual disability and drug & alcohol services.
–CMSU Crisis Tapline is 1-800-222-9016
“Shine the Light on Mental Health”
Join us by lighting up your home or office with a green lightbulb throughout May.
To order a green lightbulb, contact Jen Jones or Allison Wilson at CMSU 570-275-4962
Don’t forget to share your green light pics with the hashtag: #CMSUgogreen or email them to jjones@cmsu.or
Wear Green on May 8th
In support of mental health awareness, we invite everyone to wear green on Thursday, May 8th.
Feel free to share your “Green Out” photos using the same hashtag: #CMSUgogreen
🫶Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit (CSIU) (Milton):
A regional education service agency that prides itself on serving the needs of schools, students, families and communities. CSIU‘s many programs and services reflect our mission to provide quality education services that help students learn, support teachers in bringing best practices to the classroom, and offer valuable services to school districts.
-The CSIU holds a Youth Mental Health Summit each year in March or April. Click here to learn more about this year’s summit
–CSIU Mental Health & Resiliency: A committee page listing many local mental health resources
–CSIU ELECT Program: free voluntary program that supports pregnant and/or parenting youth, under the age of 22, who are either already enrolled in school, or are looking to go back to school or to complete their GED.
🧠For the Cause Teen Centers:
Berwick and Bloomsburg Teen Centers: Both open and welcoming teens. They have open drop-in counseling hours with the local Prevention Specialist for Berwick and Bloom School Districts. They also offer classes and tutoring options.
🫂Commonwealth University Bloomsburg: McDowell Institute:
The McDowell Institute is currently operating more than 40 interrelated initiatives in play to facilitate social, emotional, and behavioral wellness of children, youth, and young adults across school and community settings.
🫶Geisinger Bridge Clinic (Part of Pediatrics at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville):
The clinic addresses the local need for behavioral health resources by alleviating wait times. The clinic also coordinates follow-up care for young patients who come to the emergency room with a behavioral health crisis. This extension of Geisinger’s Pediatric Behavioral Health Consultation/Liaison service provides:
- Access to providers skilled in psychiatric emergency care
- Effective psychological and behavioral skills to help kids and families manage psychiatric crises
- Medication management, if needed
- Services making sure kids have a long-term follow-up care plan
Contact your doctor to schedule an appointment and possibly receive a referral the Pediatric Bridge Clinic; or contact Dr. Samuel Faulkner, PhD and Director of Pediatric Bridge Clinic.
🧠Columbia County Family Center (Bloomsburg):
The Family Center is a great local resource offering various family services as well as classes for parents and caregivers
🫂Selinsgrove Regional Engagement Center (R.E.C.):
The R.E.C. provides a hub of information, opportunities, and resources for all ages to improve lives through connections, activities, and social engagement, including mentoring programs, health and wellness classes, and intermittent QRP training.
🫶Calm Creek Coaching (Catawissa): Emotional wellness coaching, interventions services, and more.
Bloomsburg Area YMCA Community Resource Hub:
The Bloomsburg Area YMCA Community Resource Hub aims to provide support and guidance to ALL Columbia and Montour County residents with their social needs within the comfort and familiarity of the YMCA.
Extensive Local Provider Listings
All lists generously provided by Jill Bruder, SAP (Student Assistance Program) Liaison at CMSU. Note that some of the information on these lists overlaps, as counties are close to one another and many organizations have multiple locations/offices.
🫶Columbia/Montour County Resources List
🧠Snyder County Resources List
🫂Union County Resources List
🧠Northumberland County Resources List
Resources in Greater Pennsylvania
PA 211 NORTHEAST
Part of the national 2‑1‑1 Call Centers initiative- designed to provide an easy-to-remember telephone number, chat, text, and a web resource for finding health and human services information, for everyday needs and crisis situations.
Learn More– All Resources
Learn More– Mental Health Resources
SAFE2SAY SOMETHING
A state-run program that teaches youth and adults how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and to “say something” BEFORE it is too late.
Learn More
🫂DTAC (Diversified Treatment Alternative Centers): provides specialized treatment programs for children and adolescents throughout Pennsylvania & Delaware, commonly for youth who have commonly experienced physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse and require a safe environment and program that promotes healing.
🧠Neighborly PA: Neighborly helps you find free or reduced-cost services in your community. Search for local resources to access food and housing assistance, childcare, transportation, utility assistance, healthcare, financial assistance, mental health resources and other needs.
🫂Big Brothers, Big Sisters (Northeastern PA): provides high quality mentoring services to children and families in Northeast PA, (through “littles” being matched to “bigs” in a variety of settings and situations) including our 5 counties as well as several surrounding counties.
National Resources
SUICIDE AND CRISIS LIFELINE
Call or text 988 or visit here
🫶Your Life, Your Voice: National website providing numerous ways for pre-teens, teens, and young adults to access help, including text, email, call and other options. Also providing mental health tips and tricks, inspirations for healthy living, and more.
🧠QPR Institute: The QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) mission is to reduce suicidal behaviors and save lives by providing innovative, practical and proven suicide prevention training. Classes are periodically offered in our area at places such as the Sunbury YMCA and Selinsgrove R.E.C. You can also search for an instructor by entering your zip code.
🫂The Trevor Project: The Trevor Project’s mission is to end suicide among LGBTQ+ young people. Providing text, call, and counseling services.
Upcoming Events
TUESDAYS (RECURRING)
Ask a Social Worker @ Bloomsburg Public Library
Learn More
MAY 12
Mental Health Awareness Picnic @ Bloomsburg Town Park (Pavilion 2)
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JUNE 12
5th Annual Wellness Days: Carnival Edition @ Kirby Park (Wilkes Barre)
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JUNE 21-22
Camp Courage @ Camp Levigne (Benton)
(An annual event)
Learn More