March 8th marks the celebration of International Women’s Day, and at North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, we are lucky and proud that our Associate Executive Director is a woman well worth celebrating. Barros-Rivera received her Masters in Social Work from SUNY at Stony Brook in 1980. Since acquiring her degree she has been dedicated to working with children, youth and families who have been impacted by psychosocial stressors such...
The tragedy in Parkland, Florida has once again brought up the conversation about violence and mental illness. It’s not surprising: After all, how could a “sane” person commit such a heinous act as the murder of 17 students and teachers? The leadership of the National Rifle Association wants to focus the conversation on the idea that Guns don’t kill people; people kill people. When they say that those “people” who...
February marks National Library Lover’s Month, and there’s an awful lot to love any time of year! Many libraries are not only home to books and other media, but they are centers of the community, providing music performances, meeting spaces, workshops, book groups and many kid- and teen-friendly activities. But the main focus of libraries has always been on reading, which leads to more than just book smarts—it also results...
Whether you send cards, chocolates, flowers or none of the above, don’t think of Valentine’s Day as a commercial holiday or one that is only for lovers. Any occasion focused on the expression of feelings of love for the people who are important to you presents a perfect opportunity not only to strengthen emotional bonds but also to boost mental health. Close, loving relationships have numerous positive effects on the mind...
Recently, a sixth-grade girl was seen through North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center’s Triage & Emergency Unit, which offers a rapid response to psychiatric emergencies. She was being cyberbullied by some boys in her school who were spreading the untrue rumor that she was pregnant. The abuse had gotten so bad that she was expressing suicidal thoughts. Abusive behavior among teens and pre-teens is nothing new, but in the age...
By Andrew Malekoff Today is the beginning of Black History Month, when we honor the lives and stories of black heroes, both well-known and not so well-known. And in just a few days, most TVs in America will be tuned to Super Bowl 2018. What’s the connection? I had the privilege two years ago of meeting a true hero: Dr. Bennet Omalu. He was the keynoter at the Head Injury Association's Awareness...
BY CAROL IRIZARRY The following is an excerpt from a new book edited by our Executive Director, Andrew Malekoff, called Group Work Stories Celebrating Diversity. To learn more about the book or to purchase it, click here. This story was written by Carol Irizarry. Edie was only 12 years old and had the deepest, most delicate brown eyes that I had ever seen. We sat by the pool on the last...
We’re all accustomed to opening up the paper or turning on the television and seeing reports of bad news—fires, blizzards, mudslides, and on and on. But every once in a while, an uplifting story sneaks into the mix. Recently, a newscaster reported on how some teenagers shoveled the driveway and porch of an older neighbor who hadn’t even asked for help. And they did it for free. Their motivation? They simply...
Monday is a special holiday: Martin Luther King Day. Dr. King was known for many things, chief among them his passionate voice that called for a nonviolent but forceful response to injustice. He faced many obstacles, but continued until his last breath to speak his truth, regardless of the consequences. In the last few months, we’ve also seen another response to injustice, with women speaking out about sexual harassment and finally...
We’ve only officially been in winter for a few weeks, but many people start feeling the effects of less daylight and colder temperatures starting around October or November. According to the National Institutes of Health, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that fluctuates according to the seasons, typically starting in the late fall and early winter and going away during the spring and summer. About six percent of...