MENTAL HEALTH TASK FORCE & RESOURCES

In 2023, Grace established a Task Force to discuss initiatives for how we might address the mental health crisis effecting our young people, families, and our community at large.

In the coming months, we will be meeting regularly and offering forums for discussion and listening. In support of those meetings, this page will be updated with resources and links for members and visitors to view, as we seek to share information that we find valuable in aiding our collaborative effort.  For now, please view our first resource list outlined below:

NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

AAP – American Academy of Pediatrics Multiple resources for parents and teens

SAHM – Society of Adolescent Health and Medicine – multitude of resources for parents and teens

CHOP – Center for Advanced Behavioral Healthcare

NIMH – National Institute for Mental Health

NAPNAP – Professional organization for Pediatric Nurse Practitioners resources for parents

MONTGOMERY COUNTY SERVICES

Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Mental Health: https://www.montcopa.org/2783/Health-and-Human-Services

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Montgomery County Affiliate, Lansdale,PA: www.montcopanami.org

Montgomery County Mobile Crisis Services – 855-634-4673
Suicide hotline 988

WEBSITES

Center for Parent and Teen Communication https://parentandteen.com.
This is a website which offers advice for parents, teens and educators. Subscription available for daily, weekly, or educators newletters.

youngwomenshealth.org; youngmenshealth.org – resources for young women and men on a variety of physical, social and mental health concerns.

cap4kids.org/philadelphia/ a compendium of resources and referral sites in Philadelphia for a multitude of health conditions and concerns

ColumbusRecoveryCenter.com, an online resource dedicated to providing information and support to people fighting addiction and substance abuse.
https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/drug-addiction/drugs-and-suicide/
https://www.columbusrecoverycenter.com/depression-resource-guide/

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255

National Alliance of Mental Illness Mental Health by the Numbers – These visual charts provide statistics on mental health across the U.S.

Bright Futures Developmental Tools for Families and Providers – This toolkit provides families and providers with the resources needed to help start a conversation about health social and mental development in children and teens.

CDC Mental Health Information – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website includes basic information as well as publications and data statistics.

MentalHealth.gov – A federal online resource that discusses the early warning signs for mental health situations and provides resources for approaching someone about their mental health. Some resources also available in Spanish.

National Institute of Mental Health’s Child and Mental Health page – NIMH’s website provides publications, statistics, educational resources and information on treatment.

Start Your Recovery – a website developed by bringing together experts in substance abuse treatment from leading nonprofit, academic, and government institutions that offers people a single source of relatable, reliable information at any stage of their substance misuse recovery journey.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration – SAMHSA provides information on both mental health and substance abuse through programs they run, data and publications.

SAMHSA Community Conversations About Mental Health – This toolkit provides resources designed to help promote mental health and access to treatment and recovery services within the community.

American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry: Facts for Families Guide – This website includes a variety of topics to choose from and provides information on different mental health conditions as well as links to other helpful resources.

Enfleshed – Spiritual Nourishment for Collective Liberation and Enfleshed, the Vita Divina Project, enfleshed.com

Social Media Addiction — the link below shares insight into which apps are perhaps the most addictive; and how Social Media in general, while a tool, can also be detrimental to our mental health. lanierlawfirm.com/social-media-addiction/

logoffmovement.org – this resource assists teens in creating a healthier
relationship with social  media. The site has blogs, podcasts, digital
plans to reduce screen time and suggestions to improve mental health,
plus recommendations for community outreach and real-world connections.

BOOKS FOR PARENTS

“The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate

“Adolescents” – Lisa Damour, PhD. Ballentine Books, 2023

“Behind Their Screens: What Teens Are Facing (And Adults Are Missing)” – Emily Weinstein and Carrie James. MIT Press, 2022

“Coping Skills for Teens Workbook – 60 Helpful Ways to Deal with Stress, Anxiety and Anger” – Janine Halloran, M.A., LMHC. www.copingskillsforkids.org. 2020

“Outside the Lines- How embracing queerness will transform your faith” – Mihee Kim Kort (mkimkort.com)

 

Montgomery County Local Crisis Support
24/7 Mobile Crisis Support
1-855-634-4673

Competent and caring crisis workers will help you resolve crisis situations like depression or suicidal thoughts through telephone and mobile support when needed.

They are here to help you with immediate crisis situations and help you reduce and manage recurring crisis. All services are provided at no charge to you.

The Peer Support and Teen Talk Lines are warm lines where teens and adults can speak or text anonymously with a peer about any issues or problems they are facing without fear of judgement. The talk/text lines are available seven days a week from 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The line is closely tied to the Montgomery County Mobile Crisis Program and is a supplement to that service. This also allows any true crisis calls to be immediately transferred to a crisis worker.

Adults:
Call 855.715.8255
Text: 267.225.7785

Teens:
Call 866.825.5856
Text 215.703.8411
Hours: Seven days a week from 1:00PM – 9:00PM

NAMI Montgomery County PA works to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness through support, education, advocacy and awareness.

988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline https://988lifeline.org/
988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (now known as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), and is now active across the United States.

When people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how their
problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary.