Helping Neighbors in Need
SPRING 2020
|
|
Welcome to the first Thrive Counseling newsletter! Thank you for being a client or partner with us! We have good news to share: Thrive has officially become a non-profit organization, and we are expanding our services to better serve our neighbors in need.
I have been offering sliding scale counseling services from our Deep Ellum location for 12 years, and every year there is more need for this than I can meet. In the last year we have added counseling staff and started offering services for children under 12. We have also continued to operate and add new counseling clients during the quarantine period.
In addition to offering a sliding scale to individuals who qualify, we also partner with other organizations to provide counseling services at reduced rates to homeless women and children, ex-offenders transitioning back to civil society, and survivors of sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
Did you know that more than 4.3 million Texans, including 1.2 million children, live with some form of mental health disorder and Texas now ranks 51st in per capita funding for mental health services? That’s dead last folks! Texas, we can do better!
Providing affordable, accessible, quality counseling services to those in need is only possible with the support of our north Texas community. Please join our team by sharing this newsletter, referring someone you know to Thrive, volunteering, or giving (just click the donate button at the end of this newsletter)!
|
|
"This is what our Scriptures come to teach: in everything, in every circumstance, do to others as you would have them do to you." Matthew 7:12 The Voice
With Thanks,
Stacie Dowler Silvas
Thrive Executive Director
|
|
|
Remember when the family hopped in the car and headed towards a destination? "Are we there yet?" We long to hear "Yes!" during this school-at-home and quarantine season! While we are doing work and school from home to protect against the corona virus pandemic, you may wonder if the changes and added stress really make a difference to your children. Adults may be tempted to think children will not be impacted by all the changes and stress, but children are very sensitive to what is going on and especially to the anxiety of family members or caretakers.
How can I tell if my children are affected by the stress of recent changes?
Stress affects children's ability to act in their usual ways and affects their emotions. Most often, they cannot talk about their fears and distress, so you may notice more frequent crying, difficulty staying still, problems falling asleep and staying asleep, nightmares, clinging to their caregivers, fears of being alone, repetitive play (they may repeat over and over what they have heard or they may try to take special care of their dolls or stuffed animals by hiding or covering them). Some children may become aggressive and angry. Others may withdraw from contact.
How can I help my family?
1. Routines are very important for families. Disasters, forced isolation, and other traumatic situations often break their usual routines. Creating new routines or re-establishing usual routines can help children feel safe. Keeping regular mealtimes and bedtimes, setting a daily time to play games together, read to them, or sing songs together all help.
2. Explain why things are different. Young children may not understand why things have changed (like why they cannot go to school or play with other children) but talking with them will help them feel supported by you. Keep explanations simple and appropriate for your child's age.
3. Take care of yourself. This is very important! Even if young children are not directly exposed to the trauma, they can recognize stress and worry in older children and adults in the house. Taking care of yourself to help keep your stress level in check is essential to taking good care of your family.
By Randi Bradfield, MA, LPC-Intern
|
|
The expectations for being a “perfect” home school parent will stress your household. Let go of the expectations and take a deep breath. You have full permission to go easy on the rules. Go for a bike ride. Make a picnic. Have snuggle time or just take a nap. The time you take to connect with your family is needed to feel safe, secure and loved. Families are about social interaction and support. Even “good parents” burn out and question their parenting decisions. Acknowledge the hard moments, but remember you are enough and you are not alone! That means we are allowed to ask for help from one another and lean into our faith.
Dear God, I have never parented through a pandemic before. I am not sure what to do some days, but I do know that when everything is crazy on the outside I need love on the inside. Help me love my family and others well. Lord, I have a new appreciation for the people that care for my children - and even for Starbucks' employees! I took it all for granted. Please allow me to remember this long enough to show them appreciation and advocate for their raises. I do not feel equipped for this. But God is! Amen.
By Randi Bradfield, MA, LPC-Intern
|
|
May Mental Health Tip
A few simple, research-supported suggestions to help fend off depression & anxiety and promote a healthy body & mind connection~
Each day….
- 20 minutes of unprotected sunlight before 10am or after 2pm
- 20 minutes of exercise
- 20 minutes of talking with a non-judgmental friend
- 8 glasses of water
- 8 hours of sleep
Be well!
By Margaret McCrummen, MA, LPC
|
|
|
May 5 is North Texas Giving Day!
Click below to support Thrive and help provide counseling services for your neighbors in need. Donations to Thrive are tax deductible charitable contributions.
|
|
|
|
|
