Someone To Talk To

For children, the process of growing up can be difficult. There is pressure to succeed at school, peer pressure, body image issues, family issues - the list goes on and on.

Our family has always used therapy whenever the need arises. Sometimes just talking through one's issue with an independent third party can bring a whole new perspective that makes a tough situation a little easier. So it isn't unusual for one of my children to come to me and ask, "Can I see a counselor? In fact, the last child who requested a visit wrapped up their issue in two sessions with the option to return if necessary.

Middle school can be a particularly challenging time. It's often said that there is no "good" middle school because the students are all in that awkward stage transitioning to adolescence and experimenting with more freedom. Add in all the social pressures and the desire to fit in and it makes high school seem like a breeze.

A study by the National Institute of Mental Health states that one in five children have some type of mental, behavioral or emotional problem.

• Among teens, one in eight may suffer from depression
• Of all the children and teens struggling with emotional and behavioral problems, a mere 30% receive any sort of intervention or treatment.
• The other 70% simply struggle through the pain of mental illness or emotional turmoil, doing their best to make it to adulthood.

So often families are unaware of resources that are available to them. Recently, Ms. Johnson, the 8th grade counselor at Brittany Wood Middle School shared a plethora of resources for our community - many which are FREE. Use them, share them - let's take care of our kids.

• Lutheran Family and Children's Services (LFCS) - In a partnership with Brittany Wood Middle School, LFCS now has counselors that work with students at the school. Contact your child's counselor for more information.
• Provident is providing free counseling for St. Louis County youth thanks to funding provided by the St. Louis County Children's Fund. Call 314-533-8200.
• Youth in Need is providing free counseling for St. Louis County youth thanks to funding provided by the St. Louis County Children's Fund. Call 314-594-5010.
• Family Solutions for Kids is a free 12-week in-home intervention tailored to meet the distinct need of each family. Funded by the St. Louis County Children's Fund. Contact Wykeeta Lee at 314-785-0180.
• Jewish Family & Children's Services - Child and adolescent psychiatry. Contact Rochelle Novack at 314-812-9389.
• Care and Counseling is a leading provider of professional mental health services, providing services on a sliding scale basis, depending on a family's ability to pay. Call 314-878-4340.
• Epworth's Family Support Network Program provides free in-home counseling services to families with children with behavioral issues aged birth to 13. Call 314-918-3362.
• Community Psychological Services at UMSL - Call 314-516-5824.

Other Resources

• St. Louis Pyschoanalytic Institute/Schiele Clinic- The Clinic has a network of over 75 therapists offering treatment with a sliding fee clinic based on the client's ability to pay.
• National Institute of Mental Health - Booklets on various teen issues

If you are aware of other resources in the region, please post the information in the comments section and we'll keep this list updated. Thanks!