Separation. Anxiety. How the Pandemic Impacted Youth & How We Can Heal Together
Our counseling program began on the first day of our region’s stay-at-home orders of the pandemic, on March 16, 2020. None of us knew then what would unfold in these past 2+ years, and as of this week, apparently nearly a million lives have been lost in the U.S. That alone is staggering. So much loss and so much change and a new disorienting routine of uncertainty. It’s a lot for any person to handle, and it is especially difficult for the young who are just developing their sense of self and their prefrontal cortex which impacts brain function, decision making, and mental health.
A Feb. 16, 2022 article from Morning Edition on NPR featuring Rachel Martin and health correspondent Rhitu Chatterjee states that “nearly 90% of Americans are concerned about the well-being of the next generation, and 80% of parents of kids under 18 are worried about their own kids.” I can attest to that as someone who has been working with this age population for several years, but also as someone on the front lines in providing mental health during this severely difficult time. Zoom for school, lack of personal interaction, targeted attacks on so many already strategically marginalized identities. It has been heavy, exhausting, and overwhelming. The article I mentioned above stated that Washington state has been doing better than many other states in how we’ve responded to the mental health needs of youth, so that is encouraging. It doesn’t change the fact, though, that surviving this season in the world has been staggeringly hard, with incalculable grief. Another recent article stated that children’s mental health in our country is at a crisis point, and the diagnoses of depression and anxiety are being seen in younger and younger populations. I imagine that parents, those working in education, health services, and community support have seen these symptoms that concern our own hearts and minds. So, what can be done?
We at CHOOSE 180 have been counteracting this crisis by normalizing and de-stigmatizing mental health care with our staff and participants, and by offering therapeutic support that is person-centered, interactive, trauma-informed and relational. I’m so thankful that we were able to establish this program at such a crucial time in our world and to be able to offer low-barrier and high-quality care. It has changed me to witness the wonder of these youth and young adults as they recognize their own strength, resilience, the power of their story, the power of their voices. I get this up-close view of the tenacity of life in our counseling participants, and honestly, the beauty and depth often take my breath away. I didn’t grow up with the historical environment these young people have experienced, and because I am also a person in a white body, I haven’t faced the same systemic oppression.
This thick layer of harm in these past two years has been the devastation of racial violence. The specific embodied experience of racialized trauma cannot be ignored, and it matters deeply that we as an organization also promote and support other organizations and individuals who have lived knowledge in navigating systems of oppression. I’d love to highlight some of these organizations now and share them with you as places to support, to learn, and to receive care. Recognizing the ways people partner to make a difference helps everything feel less overwhelming and more hopeful! We don’t know what the future will look like, but we can do everything in our power to create a more just, beautiful and loving world. So here is a list of places that center People of Color and those with other historically under-supported and marginalized identities.
Paths Remembered’s page dedicated to support (including a text line) for Native and Indigenous 2-Spirit and LGBTQ Health
We R Native is a curated community experience for Native Youth, by Native Youth
Indigenous Story Studio is a Canadian-based creative arts resource to tell Indigenous stories regarding health and social issues for youth
The Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle has a page called “Healthy Black Minds” that serves as a resource hub for Black Mental Health.
BEAM is an acronym for Black Emotional And Mental health, and they have resources for Black practitioners of all different types of care from therapists, to doulas, to yoga teachers to mediators
Inclusive Therapists offers mental healthcare in many different languages, and seeks to connect care-seekers with culturally responsive, LGBTQ+ affirming, social justice oriented therapists, and center the needs of Black, Indigenous and People of Color and the systemically marginalized 2-Spirit and LGBTQIA community, and amplify voices and expressions of the Neurodivergent and Disabled Communities
This is an article from Self Magazine by Zahra Barnes highlighting 44 support resources for Black People
Especially timely during Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage month, here is a list from The Mental Health Coalition of resources specific to this community
National Queer Asian and Pacific Islander Alliance is an empowering organization for advocating for the specific representation and needs of this community
Therapy for LatinX is a therapy directory and service matching site for the LatinX community
LatinX Therapy is an organization offering a directory of LatinX therapists and speakers, and a community with a podcast, courses and workshops, wellness resources, merchandise and studio space
National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network is an intersectional justice movement and directory to connect Queer and/or Trans people and/or People of Color with support that represents and identifies with this community
Southeast Addiction Center - This guide offers a list of the top 50 resources to support Black Men who are struggling with addiction or mental illness.
Live Another Day believes in equal access to life-saving mental health and substance use resources. This website provides extensive information on the best resources available.
Detox Local is an excellent resource that features abundant information including mental health and substance use resources specifically for the AAPI (American Asian and Pacific Islander)community.
WA Therapy Fund is a non-profit resource that is seeking to provide free therapy for Black folks in Washington.
This list is certainly not exhaustive, but it is a good leaping point for anyone seeking for care for ourselves or our loved ones. If you have any other questions about finding a resource that might be a good fit, please feel free to reach out to me: jdetrick@choose180.org. I wish for a new season for all of us; one of growth, peace, hope and transformation.
You are not alone, and your presence makes a difference in the world more than you could possibly imagine.
https://www.npr.org/2022/04/30/1095781500/why-the-childrens-mental-health-crisis-isnt-new
With deep gratitude for you and hope for brighter days ahead,
Jana Detrick, MA, LMHC
Therapist
CHOOSE 180 Counseling