Every year Southborough Youth and Family Services (SYFS) celebrates Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM). It's a time of year that reminds us of the importance of self-care and compassion. It's also a time for us to connect with each other and support one another as we all have been touched by mental health challenges in some way. This is why the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) has chosen "Together for Mental Health" as their theme for MHAM 2022, a theme that SYFS will echo this year. SYFS, along with other community partners, has many things planned in May from books, to hikes, to movies, and talks. All are centered around health, wellness, and supporting one another. We hope you will join us!

Over the last two years, we have collectively all experienced an increase in chronic stress, disruption, disconnection, and trauma. Frequent changes in the pandemic landscape have exacerbated these issues adding to it confusion, conflict, and insecurity. With all of us experiencing these same issues at the same time, it is no wonder that the mental health field has encountered a tsunami of need. As a result, many are finding it difficult to find mental health support for themselves and/or their loved ones at a critical time.

Below we have provided an article and press release from the White House regarding these issues, other factors contributing to the lack of services, and strategies to address the issue. At SYFS we are working hard to try to provide additional resources for residents, strategies to support one another, and providing information on what to look for in the case of psychiatric emergencies. We have provided some information below about workshops that are available to residents free of charge as well as the mental health support services we offer.

You may experience frustration in your search for a provider and this may cause an increase in stress levels. We are here to help and provide interim support. Please do not hesitate to contact us even if it is for a one time conversation.

Listen with L.O.V.E.: the art of communication in relationships

Positive communication is a critical element in relationship success and yet, it is something that challenges all of us. How do you support your loved one who is in distress? How do you persevere when your navigating challenging conversations with someone regularly? SYFS is offering the workshop, Listen With L.O.V.E: The art of communication in relationships to address some of these challenges and review critical elements of successful communication. If you are a parent, spouse, friend, son or daughter, or simply a human, in relationships with other humans, please consider joining us.

April Training Dates:

Wednesday 4/27 6-8pm

*all trainings are held at 21 Highland St in Southborough

Listen With L.O.V.E. training registration:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScM23X10toBnQlFX2L05MK4mSx6mfTojHDQseyg5kD5Y6GHCA/viewform

QPR Gatekeeper Suicide Prevention Training

QPR is an acronym for Question, Persuade, Refer. Not unlike CPR, it teaches basic skills to help a person in crisis. In this 2-hour training, you are taught how to ask the suicide Question, how to Persuade a person to tell you more, and to seek help and Refer to outside providers. These trainings are offered in a small setting of no more than 12 participants to allow for time to ask questions and try out newly learned skills through role-plays. Trainings will be offered at various days and times throughout the year.

Upcoming Training dates:

Wednesday 4/13 6-8pm

Saturday 4/30 9-11am

*all trainings are held at 21 Highland St in Southborough

QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper training registration:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdlRqwQG1ZncKwrVUb46V4ALhNYK_W4tTNGsdmbrrUq_yLcZQ/viewform

SYFS provides the following mental health support services:

• Clinical Consultations- a one time consultation with one of our clinicians
• Therapy Referral Support through Interface Referral Service: https://interface.williamjames.edu/
• Assessments- 6-8 session time frame aimed at better defining and understanding a presenting issue. This includes appointments with the individual, family members, doctors, teachers, past and current providers. The assessment is completed with a formal assessment report outlining clinical recommendations.
• Short-term "bridge" counseling support- short-term support available to those needing counseling services until a longer-term therapeutic solution is identified
• Therapeutic groups and workshops

Learn more by:

• Calling us at 508-481-5676
• Utilizing our walk-in hours- Mondays 9-11am or Thursday 3-5pm
• Web inquiry- https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfUEYphprGT9YWPy8RGKUim_z20PLx1ppz5oj0Mkt24LbIHcw/viewform

We encourage you to reach out to our office if you have concerns about yourself or a family member. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we too, have experienced increased demand in our office and will do our best to get back to you.

If you have any questions about these services, please contact our Assistant Director, Meaghan Eiland at (508) 481-5676 ext 2 for more information.

Southborough Youth and Family Services provides compassionate and equitable behavioral health and social services to Southborough residents of all ages.

Email: syfs@southboroughma.com
Website: https://www.southboroughtown.com/youth-and-family-services
Location: 21 Highland Street, Southborough, MA, USA
Phone: (508) 481-5676
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SBoroYFS/