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Separation and Divorce

by | Jan 19, 2021 | Problems We Address

Separation or Divorce

 

The separation or divorce of parents can be difficult for young children to cope with. Research has indicated that such events can contribute to problems in children and adolescents, including academic difficulties, behavioral issues, mental health symptoms such as depression and more.

 

Separation and divorce introduce a massive change to children regardless of their age. However, reactions may differ between children and adolescents. Young children may become uncooperative, aggressive or withdrawn. Older children and adolescents may feel a deep sadness or loss, and children of divorce may struggle with relationship and self-esteem problems into adulthood.

 

Mental health services are offered at all three of our sites. These services include comprehensive evaluation, an individually tailored treatment plan that may include any combination of individual, family and group therapy, and, when indicated, medication management from a psychiatrist. All treatment plans require family consent and participation. For more information about our services, please call us at 516-626-1971.

 

 

Read more in our blog:

Kids and Divorce

Holiday Tips for Divorced and Blended Families

 

Sources:

World Psychiatry: Parental divorce or separation

Psychology Today: The Impact of Divorce on Young Children and Adolescents

Suicide

by | Jan 19, 2021 | Problems We Address

Suicide

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth ages 15 to 24 years old and the third leading cause of death for youth ages 10 to 14 years old. The majority of youth who attempt suicide have a significant mental health condition, most frequently depression.

 

Warning signs of suicide may include talking or writing about suicide, mood swings, withdrawal from social contact, feeling hopeless, increased substance use, risky or self-destructive behavior, giving away belongings, changing normal routines and personality changes. Risk factors for suicide include a recent or serious loss, a psychiatric disorder, prior suicide attempts, substance abuse, family history of suicide, lack of social support and bullying.

 

With the Douglas S. Feldman Suicide Prevention Project, North Shore Child & Family  Guidance Center addresses high-risk cases with a thorough evaluation for suicide risk; multiple sessions of individual, group and family therapy each week; and an individualized, culturally sensitive treatment plan that focuses on safety strategies, healthy coping skills and relapse prevention. Evaluation with a psychiatrist regarding the possible use of medication will also be provided, when needed. We also provide in-home treatment and referrals to programs and services that will support your efforts to protect your child. Unlike many providers, the Guidance Center promises that at-risk children and teens will be seen within 24-48 hours, when the case is deemed urgent.

 

The Fay J. Lindner Foundation Triage and Emergency Services at North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center 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, risk of physical harm to others, and a state of seriously impaired judgment in which the child is endangered. Our team will assess if the situation is urgent and will arrange an appointment to see the child within 24 to 48 hours.

 

Our goal is to strengthen, stabilize and support. For more information about our services, please call us at 516-626-1971.

 

Related Programs:

The Douglas S. Feldman Suicide Prevention Project

Fay J. Lindner Foundation Triage and Emergency Services

 

National Resources:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (United States): 1-800-273-8255

Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” to 741741

In an emergency situation, call 911.

 

Read more on our blog:

Suicidal Thinking in Young People: Know the Signs

Recognizing the Risk of Suicide

Guidance Center Expands Suicide Prevention Efforts

 

Sources:

AACAP: Teen Suicide

Child Mind: Teen Suicide Risk Factors

Teenage Pregnancy

by | Jan 19, 2021 | Problems We Address

Teenage Pregnancy

 

In 2017, nearly 200,000 babies were born to teenage mothers. Teenage pregnancies can be incredibly stressful, and the majority of them are unplanned. The experience thrusts a teenage woman into the position of independent adult now responsible for another human life. Many struggle in school as a result, with only around half of teenage mothers receiving a high school diploma by age 22.

 

In the past decade, the rate of teenage pregnancy (for girls and women ages 15 to 19 years old) in the United States has reached a record low. This decrease has been seen across racial and ethnic groups. However, racial and ethnic disparities remain apparent among teenage pregnancies, with the pregnancy rate among Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black teenagers more than twice that of non-Hispanic white teenagers.

 

Teenage pregnancies involve an immense amount of added stress, and they can often contribute to higher rates of mental health conditions. Teenage mothers are twice as likely to experience postpartum depressioncompared to adult mothers. These teenagers also have higher rates of suicidal thoughts and are more likely to experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

 

At North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, our Good Beginnings for Babies program provides support, counseling, and advocacy for pregnant and parenting teens at the Leeds Place – Serving Young People, our Westbury office. For more information about our services, please call us at 516-626-1971.

 

Related Programs:

Good Beginnings for Babies

 

Sources:

CDC – About Teen Pregnancy

Healthline – Teen Pregnancy

Trauma Witness and Victim of Violence

by | Jan 19, 2021 | Problems We Address

Trauma Witness and Victim of Violence

 

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network defines a traumatic event as a “frightening, dangerous or violent event that poses a threat to a child’s life or bodily integrity.” Potential traumatic experiences can include abuse (physical, sexual, or emotional), neglect, natural disasters, acts of terrorism, family or community violence, sudden or violent loss of a loved one, substance use disorder (personal or familiar), war experiences, serious accidents or life-threatening illness, and military family-related stressors.

 

Though traumatic responses in children and adolescents can range widely, some common responses include depressive symptoms or anxiety, behavioral changes, attention and academic difficulties, regression, difficulty in relationships, physical symptoms such as aches and pains, substance use and risky behavior. Research has indicated that childhood exposure to traumatic events can lead to long-term health problems and premature death.

 

Domestic and dating violence among teenagers is a troublingly common issue in the United States. Teen dating violence may include physical violence, sexual violence, psychological aggression or stalking. Nearly one in 11 female and one in 15 male high school students reported experiencing physical dating violence in the past year. One in 9 female and one in 36 males reported experiencing sexual dating violence in the past year. Youth victims of dating violence are more likely to experience depression and anxiety, engage in risky or unhealthy behaviors, exhibit antisocial behaviors and contemplate suicide.

 

With the Douglas S. Feldman Suicide Prevention Project, North Shore Child & Family  Guidance Center addresses high-risk cases with a thorough evaluation for suicide risk; multiple sessions of individual, group and family therapy each week; and an individualized, culturally sensitive treatment plan that focuses on safety strategies, healthy coping skills and relapse prevention. Evaluation with a psychiatrist regarding the possible use of medication will also be provided, when needed. We also provide in-home treatment and referrals to programs and services that will support your efforts to protect your child. Unlike many providers, the Guidance Center promises that at-risk children and teens will be seen within 24-48 hours, when the case is deemed urgent.

 

The Fay J. Lindner Foundation Triage and Emergency Services at North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center 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, risk of physical harm to others, and 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. Our team will assess if the situation is urgent and will arrange an appointment to see the child within 24 to 48 hours. Our goal is to strengthen, stabilize, and support. For more information about our services, please call us at 516-626-1971.

 

Read more on our blog:

Healing Childhood Trauma

Keeping Teens Safe from Dating Violence and Abuse

Knowing the Signs of Teen Dating Violence

 

Sources:

NCTSN: About Child Trauma

CDC: Preventing Teen Dating Violence

Youth at Risk

by | Jan 19, 2021 | Problems We Address

Youth at Risk

 

Youth at risk serves as an umbrella term for a range of circumstances that place young people at greater vulnerability for problem behaviors, such as substance abuse, school failure, and juvenile delinquency, along with mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety.

 

North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center offers a wide range of services for youth at risk. Clinical Care Coordination Teams (CCCT) provide home-based clinical services for troubled children and adolescents. Coordinated Children’s Services Initiative (CCSI) coordinates services among multiple systems to prevent children and adolescents from falling through the cracks. Family Peer Support Services,  also known as Family Advocates, provides parent-to-parent support both individually and/or in groups to families who have children experiencing social, emotional and/or behavioral challenges in their home, school or community.

 

Mental health services are offered for children from birth through age 24 and their families at all three sites of North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center. These services include comprehensive evaluation, an individually tailored treatment plan that may include any combination of individual, family, and group therapy, and, when indicated, medication management from a psychiatrist. All treatment plans require family consent and participation. For more information about our services, please call us at 516-626-1971.

 

Related Programs:

Clinical Care Coordination Team (CCCT)

Coordinated Children’s Services Initiative (CCSI)

Family Peer Support Services