The Fay J. Lindner Foundation Triage and Emergency Services: Rapid Response When It’s Needed Most

The Fay J. Lindner Foundation Triage and Emergency Services: Rapid Response When It’s Needed Most

When a child breaks a leg or has acute stomach pain, you know where to go: the emergency room at your local hospital.

But if your child is severely depressed or anxious and is talking about self-harm or suicide, where can you turn? 

For the most part, trying to get a quick appointment with a therapist or psychiatrist is nearly impossible.

“We have heard many stories of desperate parents seeking help for their child who is experiencing a mental health crisis, and they’re told that the wait is more than two or three months away,” says Andrew Malekoff, Executive Director at North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center. “That is simply unacceptable.”

To handle such urgent situations, the Guidance Center created the Fay J. Lindner Foundation Triage and Emergency Services, a program that promises to see these cases within 24 to 48 hours.

“From the moment we receive the call for help,” says Malekoff, “our goal is to stabilize, strengthen and support these children and families during this challenging time.”

The program, made possible by a generous grant from the Fay J. Lindner Foundation,  offers rapid response to psychiatric emergencies— a sudden set of circumstances in which there is an impending risk of danger to the child or adolescent such as a risk of suicide or of physical harm to others. It also addresses situations that involve a state of seriously impaired judgment in which the child is endangered, and situations of risk to a defenseless victim involving abuse, neglect or exposure to domestic violence.

Through the program, our expert team of therapists helps the child or adolescent stabilize their mood, learn healthy coping skills and decrease the need for emergency room visits or in-patient hospitalizations.

“If parents can avoid bringing their child to the emergency room during a mental health crisis, that can prevent the child’s exposure to another potentially traumatic situation in the emergency room itself,” explains Malekoff. “Avoiding hospitalization during the pandemic is especially important.”

There has been a dramatic increase in psychiatric emergencies referred to the Guidance Center over the past several years due to a variety factors, including the difficulty in accessing inpatient hospitalization; the decline in availability of inpatient and day treatment beds for children and adolescents; the closing of many mental health clinics in Nassau County; and the escalation of prescription pill and heroin addiction among teenagers and young adults on Long Island.

“The Covid-19 crisis has also impacted our young people, with extremely heightened anxiety and depression levels,” says Malekoff. “Sadly, many have lost parents and other loved ones.”

The Guidance Center is very grateful to the Fay J. Lindner Foundation for its ongoing funding of this lifesaving program. As Lauren McGowan, the Guidance Center’s Director of Development, says, “The Foundation has been one of our most devoted supporters, and we look forward to creating new partnerships as the need for our services continues to grow.”To learn about other naming opportunities, contact McGowan at (516) 626-1971, ext. 320. For more information about our Fay J. Lindner Foundation Triage and Emergency Services and our other programs, please call us at (516) 626-1971. 

Helping Military Families

Helping Military Families

Tomorrow is Veteran’s Day, when we honor all the brave men and women who have served our country. In addition, all of November is Military Family Appreciation Month, when families are recognized for their commitment and contributions in support of our military and nation.

Our country is facing one of the most challenging times in our history, with social unrest, economic hardship and a deadly pandemic. Kids and adults alike are fearful that their loved ones may contract COVID-19. Many have grandparents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities whom they are unable to see. And we are about to embark on a holiday season where our traditional family gatherings likely need to be put aside.

Sadly, some children are dealing with the grief of having lost parents, grandparents or other beloved family members.

For military families, these worries and losses are compounded by unique challenges. Children in these families often must deal with lengthy separations from their parents—difficult on their own, but add to that the fear that a loved one may not come home, and it’s clear why these kids are under enormous stress and experiencing heightened anxiety and depression.

Plus, military families relocate 10 times more often than civilian families—on average, every two or three years, so children face separation not only from their parents, but from their friends.

Not surprising, studies show that one third of school-age military children show behaviors such as being anxious, worrying often and crying more frequently.

Luckily, there is something parents can do to care for their kids—and themselves—when facing a deployment. Here’s some advice from KidsHealth:

  • Be honest. The words you use are important and can mean different things depending on a child’s age and maturity, so give kids the truth in terms they can understand. 
  • Let kids know that they will be taken care of. Kids need to feel protected in a parent’s absence, so tell them who will be taking care of them during the time away. 
  • Make a plan to stay connected. Let kids know that goodbyes are hard for everyone — even grown-ups. Remind them that they’ll be thought of and loved while the parent is away and talk about the people who will be there to help them feel better when they’re feeling sad.
  • Spend extra time together. In the days and weeks before departure, many military parents feel pressure to get the house in order by tackling their overloaded to-do lists. Though fixing leaky faucets and taking the car for a tune-up are important, so is plenty of one-on-one time with each child. 
  • Keep a routine. Help offset feelings of uncertainty by keeping life at home as predictable as possible. In the face of big changes, even small things that stay the same — like a simple bedtime routine or a fun Saturday morning ritual — can be extremely reassuring.
  • Keep the absent parent a part of children’s lives. Whether it’s counting down days on a calendar, making a scrapbook or organizing an activity your loved one would like, encourage your kids to find creative ways to stay connected to the parent who’s away.
  • Talk often and listen well.  Talk to them about the things that upset them and let them know it’s OK to feel worried sometimes and that you feel that way too. 
  • Get support. A parent’s departure is not only unsettling for the kids, but also overwhelming for the partner who must absorb all the extra duties. The armed forces have many programs to help families get through the tough times. Visit www.usa.gov/military-assistance for information.

Remember, North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center is here for your family! Call us at (516) 626-1971 for help.

Reducing Stress During the Pandemic

Reducing Stress During the Pandemic

Tomorrow is International Stress Awareness Day, and if ever the world needed some stress reduction, it’s now.

The pandemic is an ongoing global concern, especially with winter just around the corner.  With the U.S. nearing eight months of virus-related closures, all of us are understandably experiencing heightened levels of anxiety and depression.

In addition, the holidays are just around the corner, and this year, the usual holiday stress is magnified by the fear of becoming ill, the loss of treasured family traditions and the isolation that seems to permeate much of our lives. And for many, this holiday will mark the first time they will be without a loved one who passed from the virus.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID-19 stress can cause the worsening of mental health conditions, and that’s definitely been born out by our experience at North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center.

“For kids who already experienced anxiety, depression and other mental health challenges, the pandemic has definitely increased their symptoms,” says Regina Barros-Rivera, Associate Executive Director of the Guidance Center. “They’re worried about the health of their parents and loved ones, and many families are struggling financially because of job losses. Remote schooling can be stressful, too.”

The pandemic can also result in changes in sleep and eating patterns; trouble concentrating; and increased use of alcohol and drugs.

Now is as good a time as any to learn some techniques to help both you and your family manage the many stressors in your life. Although the following are good steps to take all year long, they’re especially important now, and apply to kids and adults alike.

  • Eat healthy foods
  • Avoid drugs and alcohol
  • Exercise regularly
  • Get outside in the fresh air as much as possible
  • Establish a routine for getting 8 hours of sleep each night (or more for children and teens)
  • Connect with family and friends, even if you can’t see them in person
  • Schedule time to have fun and engage in activities you enjoy
  • Limit your exposure to news
  • Develop a practice of meditation and deep breathing (see “Breathe Deep”)

Also, know that help is available. At the Guidance Center, we are providing remote telehealth services or, when needed, in-person therapy. Call us at (516) 626-1971, or email intake@northshorechildguidance.org.

Breathe Deep
It’s more important than ever to learn stress reduction techniques such as meditation and deep breathing.
In our Guidance Center Perspectives on Pandemic 2020, we’ve interviewed many experts, and two are specialists in
stress-reduction techniques.
You can view the videos here:
Mindfulness with Dr. Ariel Botta, Part 1; Mindfulness with Dr. Ariel Botta, Part 2; and Breathing and Breath-work for the Pandemic and Other Toxic Stress.

Helpful Resources from Our Experts:

Dealing with the Stress of the Corona Outbreak and Quarantine

The Guidance Center’s COVID-19 Response

Wellness Tips for the Caregiver

Helping Your Children Manage Stress

Soothing Your Anxious Child

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.htmlhttps://emergency.cdc.gov/coping/selfcare.asp

Guidance Center Golf Outing a Big Success, Blank Slate Media,  October 24, 2020,

Guidance Center Golf Outing a Big Success, Blank Slate Media, October 24, 2020,

North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center is pleased to announce that its golf fundraiser has raised $54,750 to support the organization’s lifesaving work.

As the preeminent not-for-profit children’s mental health agency on Long Island, the Guidance Center counts on donations to provide services for children, teens and families experiencing mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety — especially important during these unprecedented times.

For the safety of its supporters, the Guidance Center canceled its Jonathan Krevat Memorial Golf & Tennis Classic this year, a large fundraising event that typically has well over 100 attendees.

Luckily, Guidance Center Board Member Andrew Marcell stepped in and saved the day, hosting a smaller gathering of six foursomes at the Sands Point Golf Club, where social distancing and other safety measures could be taken.

“As a proud Board Member of the Guidance Center, I was thrilled to hold this fundraiser,” said Marcell, CEO of Aon Reinsurance Solutions, which sponsored the event. “I’m very grateful to my many colleagues and friends who supported the golf outing. They know that the work of the Guidance Center is instrumental in making the lives of our kids healthy and happy.”

Paul Vitale, president of the Guidance Center’s Board of Directors, expressed gratitude to Marcell for making the event such a big success. “Andy’s dedication to the Long Island community shows in everything he does,” said Vitale. “With the Guidance Center team busier than ever providing therapy to children and families who are facing tough challenges brought on by the pandemic, it’s a real blessing to know that Andy is there for us.”

All proceeds from the event benefit the Guidance Center. To learn more about the organization’s services and how you can help, visit www.northshorechildguidance.org or call (516) 626-1971.

Voting is Good for Your Health!

Voting is Good for Your Health!

Just one week from today, many Americans will be exercising their rights and heading to the polls—that is, if they haven’t already voted early or by mail. People on both sides of the aisle are calling this the most important election of our lifetimes.

It may surprise you, but the reality is that, for a variety of reasons, many people opted not to vote in 2016. The Pew Research Center says that four years ago, 40% of adults who were eligible to vote chose to stay home. In many states, this figure was closer to 50%.

If doing your civic duty isn’t enough reason to get you and your loved ones to the polls, here’s something that might help: There is a correlation between good overall health and voting! 

According to the authors of a review that appeared in the July 2020 Public Health Reviews journal, overall, “Lower voting rates are consistently associated with poor self-rated health.”

And the opposite is true, according to another study that reported that voting participation in local elections “is positively associated with self-assessed health.”

Here’s how an article from
University Health Services in Wisconsin put it:

The relationship between health and voting is both well-researched and reciprocal. Research shows that the healthier you are, the more likely you are to cast a ballot. In turn, there is also research that shows voting can actually make people healthier. When a person is involved with civic life, they are social, efficacious and participating.” 

The well-being of teens and young adults also correlates with taking part in this most honored tradition. A 2018 study in the journal Child Development followed nearly 10,000 youth ages 11-20 for 15 years and found that those who engaged in any of three activities—volunteering, voting or activism—were not only likely to be healthier, they also had higher incomes and educational levels than those who did not. 

Another way mental and physical health are connected to voting: Politicians don’t all agree on healthcare options such as insurance coverage choices, access to care, preexisting conditions and affordability. It doesn’t matter if you are a Republican, Democrat or Independent, you deserve to be fully informed.  So, do some research and find out the position of your local, state and national candidates on the ballot. 

Remember, your vote can impact the level and quality of your healthcare, so don’t miss your opportunity to make your voice heard! 

How to Vote Safe in the Covid Era

US-elections-tips-vote-safely-printable-guide

Sources:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-does-health-influence-voting-behavior#1

https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2018/08/09/

https://publichealthreviews.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40985-020-00133-6

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/health-economics-policy-and-law/article/an-exploratory-study-of-associations-between-social-capital-and-selfassessed-health-in-norway/84AAC7F7FBCACB0C4C7735B46287A84F

https://time.com/5113563/voting-is-good-for-your-health/