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Program provides safe environment for youth
Everybody has mental health. For some it’s a diagnosis, while for others it’s how we react to and handle daily situations. So often people with mental illnesses are wrongly blamed for society’s issues. We all should understand that understanding your mental state does not mean that you have a problem. So often people with mental illnesses are wrongly blamed for society’s issues but violence and mental health do not go hand in hand. Accepting help doesn’t mean that you’re weak but rather an indication that you are resilient. Reaching out is not a sign of defeat but rather a sign of strength. There are people every day who seek help and receive it. County services and agencies offer such help, more than most people realize. Our staff took a day during spring break to tour facilities and talk to both experts and those receiving assistance.They are the proof that…
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devin wickstrom A 2-year-old boy runs around one corner of a long, narrow room with his toy ATV. The room has a clean, fresh scent with everything somebody would need: a kitchen section with a fridge, a stove, a microwave, a table. It also has a few luxuries; couches, television, computer, toys. The busy room makes for an exciting obstacle course for the child. Not only is he there but also others with ages ranging from 15 to 21, all relaxing, talking, and laughing with each other. Welcome to the Transitional Living Program, a place where anyone under 21 can come for help, shelter, food, and comfort when no one else can provide it for them. Also known as Family and Youth Services of San Joaquin County, TLP is a safe, friendly environment for anyone who needs help getting back on their feet. It consists of three buildings total: one has an office, where people can register for the program, and then two houses available for the applicants. Brittany, 17, has been going here since March 18 when some friendly nurses brought her here after her stepfather kicked her out. While here, she met her current boyfriend. “He is an outlet for me,” she said. “We plan to move to Galt together with my grandma in April.” They are now there, thanks to TLP. The two didn’t stay in the program long, because of Brittany’s grandmother, but it did provide the help they needed until they found a place to go. She went from a homeless, lost teen to one with a home and a goal: to become a nurse. Haley, teen mother of the son who was playing with his ATV, can now care for him without having to worry about giving him enough food to
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How to handle SUICIDE In today’s society suicide is a large problem that affects everyone, especially teenagers; here are some tips to help someone you may know who has had thoughts or has attempted suicide. DO ff Be yourself. Let them know that you care and that they’re not alone. ff Listen to them. They will be ventilating anger, which shows that they want help. ff Be sympathetic. Do not judge because it could make them feel they’re to blame. ff Say the word: suicide. If they say things like “I can’t go on,” ask them if they have ever thought of committing suicide. DON’T ff Argue with them. This could make the person feel that you are not trying to help them. ff Avoid “You have so much to live for.” The person most likely wants to live but they want the pain to end. ff Act shocked, lecture on the value of life, or scold them because suicide is wrong. ff Offer ways to fix their problems, or give advice. Get professional help immediately. ff Blame yourself.You cannot fix depression. KEY POINTS ff Get professional help fast. ff Make sure they follow up on treatment. ff Be with them each step of the way so they know they’re not alone. ff Be proactive. ff Encourage healthy lifestyle changes such as being in nature and exercising. ff Remove potential means of suicide. Make sure there are no blades, guns, or unneeded medicine that may cause thoughts of suicide in their home. source: Helpguide.org information compiled by
Devin Wickstrom
eat or clothing him; they are being provided with the necessities so she can look after her child. “As much as I don’t want to deal with the current situation,” Haley said, “I’ll do it for my son. Because of this, I’m back in school and everything pretty much changed for the better.” Clearly this haven provides a number of needed essentials but the real help is the hope given. According to the youth who take advantage of it, they are inspired. Inspired to be somebody, to lift themselves up and go out into the world with confidence and to become their own independant self. When someone comes to the center, they are allowed to stay up to 21 months and during that time the staff provides them with meals, counseling, laundry, and also a basic goal setting to help them get on their feet. “We have a philosophy as far as how we treat youth,” Jennifer Jones, head of the Youth Services Department, said. “We aren’t here to judge, we let them make mistakes, we let them come back, and our main goal is to help them understand their full potential.” Jones said that the biggest struggle they have there is trying to get the youth to graduate high school, it’s much easier after that. “They usually feel inspired after they graduate and they want to go out into the world.” Haley can now care for her son, Samuel, with the help from people who care for them. She can introduce him into the world without having to stress about not having enough food to feed him or enough clothes to dress him. Though everyone must support themselves at some point, she, and every young person, can get help to accomplish that, thanks to the Transitional Living Program. “They kind of grow up here,” Jones said. “We kind of become their family.”
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Our staff talked to experts to gain a better understanding of mental health and the effect it has on all of us. Here’s what a few of them had to say.
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Our minds are such an important thing — keep them healthy.” Carolyn Walters Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
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Suffering from mental illness does not mean crazy.” Fay Viera Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Transitional LIVING Program
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(Clockwise from top) The TLP house gives Haley and her son Sam a way to get back on their feet and better their future. After having a baby in high school, the program helped Gladys attend college and gave her a place to stay. Joseph recently moved out of the TLP house into an apartment and is supporting himself while he goes to Delta College.
The Transitional Living Program is federally funded by the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act and its purpose is to offer help to those between the ages of 16-21 who are homeless so they can make a successful transaction to a self-sufficient lifestyle. Services that are offered that’ll help in their independency: ff providing education opportunities (General Educational Development preparation, post-secondary training, and vocational education) ff physical and mental health care (physicals, counseling, and emergency treatments) ff job attainment services (career counseling and job placement) ff building basic life skills (consumer education, budgeting, housekeeping, food preparation) ff safe stable living conditions are also offered to youths (host family homes, group homes, maternity group homes, supervised apartments owned or rented by the program) source: Family and Youth
Seeking help shows strength alexus plascencia It is difficult for many to have the courage to stand up and ask for help. Feelings of judgment, weakness, or even doubt are just some of the few fears that can get in the way. Realizing that getting help from a professional can actually make a change is the first step. Accepting that there is a problem is next. Then it’s actually being able to speak up. “Unfortunately there is still a stigma for seeking help,” Fay Vierra, a licensed marriage and family therapist, said. “It’s important to be empathetic.” No matter the situation, minor or major, if help is needed, professionals suggest to get help. Things can always be kept confidential, but only to an extent. “Getting help doesn’t make someone weak. It shows resilience,” Vierra said. People shouldn’t be afraid to have open arms to all the available resources that are provided because they’re all there to provide a sense of comfort. “It’s important to accept that our mind and heart are one,” Carolyn Walters, a licensed marriage and family therapist, said. “It’s important to keep them healthy.” Getting treatment for any needs helps to maintain a healthy being. But people who are hurting are often stubborn; they insist that they can handle their struggles themselves.
“We are a safety net in the community,” Lynn Tarrant, the deputy director, San Joaquin County Behavioral Health Services, said. Professionals at the Behavioral Health Services are there to save those who are in great need by providing intervention, counseling, and even a place to stay. One of the services offered is the Transitional Living Program; a shelter that provides all the basic necessities. “We’re here to help them understand their potential,” Jennifer Jones, a youth services program manager, said. TLP offers educational support and builds relationships to those in need. It gives people a place where they feel welcomed. “We let them make mistakes,
we let them come back,” Jones said. “It’s about empowering them.” TLP isn’t the only place where help can be found. It’s up to the people in need to go out, and discover the many other resources. But if nothing is done about the situation, nothing will get better. It will just continue to worsen over the time span of just standing by. And if help is never sought, who knows what would happen? Violent related acts, drug abuse, and even suicide, perhaps. Then, when those who are in a great need of help become a harm to themselves, and even others, that’s when issues should be taken very seriously. “Don’t agree to keep suicidal
thoughts a secret,” Vierra said. “Get adult help; don’t worry about losing a friend.” Those who began to feel suicidal don’t necessarily want to die, she added. They just want the pain to stop. “Suicide can always be prevented,” she said. It’s highly recommended, by professionals, to always contact help when someone seems as a threat. It’s never a good idea to keep it a secret, or solve the issue on one’s own. “It’s not your job to fix it; it’s your job to tell an adult,” Vierra said. Seeking the help that is needed shows how strong one can be. It’s not a cry, or plea, for help. It’s having courage and a strong mentality.
Services Bureau
information compiled by
Domestic VIOLENCE Domestic violence, dating violence, and domestic abuse are all known as spousal abuse. It’s often overlooked because people are in denial and easily blame the situations on themselves. One who is in such a relationship would feel controlled and often very scared and helpless. Their partner does anything they can just to maintain that power through one or more of the following types of abuse Physical Punching, slapping, any type of strike to the body Verbal/Emotional Yelling, constant put downs, bullying, threats Attempts of keeping you away from family and friends Sexual Rape, unwanted touching Refusing to use contraception
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We’re here to help them understand their potential” Jennifer Jones Youth Services Program Manager photo by Adrianna
Signs of domestic abuse: ff Your partner has a bad, unpredictable temper ff You feel scared and that you can never satisfy your partner ff Treats you like property ff Acts excessively jealous ff Controls and questions everything you do
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Contact INFORMATION If you or a friend have a problem with substance abuse, are in an abusive relationship, are without a home, have behavioral issues, or have thought about suicide, the programs listed below offer help: National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-8255 National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-SAFE(7233) Women’s Center: 209-941-2611 San Joaquin County Substance Abuse Services Treatment: 209-468-9600 Prevention: 209-468-2005 San Joaquin County Behavioral Health Services Crisis/Stabilization Unit Services: 209-468-8686
information compiled by
Marcella Hawkins
Signs of DEPRESSION Depression, it’s more than being sad. It’s a lasting condition that affects your everyday life. Signs of depression include: ff lingering sadness that one can’t simply brush off ff loss of interest ff change in weight ff insomnia or hypersomnia ff feeling restless or hopeless ff thoughts of suicide Causes of depression may include: ff abuse ff substance abuse ff rape ff a death of someone close Depression is a curable state of being. There are ways of going back to one’s normal self. The first step is talking about it.
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Jennifer Jones is a Youth Services Program Manager and oversees the young adults in the TLP.
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He has the disease; he is not the disease.” Scott Howard Psychiatrist
source: Helpguide.org information compiled by
Michealla Foules
source: WebMD.com
information compiled by
Brian Walker