Mental Health Q&A

Mental health is essential. Life's challenges can feel overwhelming, but support and information help. We wanted to create a space to explore and understand mental health. You are not alone—let’s prioritize mental health together.

Hear from our mental health therapists at CHOOSE 180, Daicia and Jana below!

Can you tell us a little about the CHOOSE 180 counseling program? Who is it for and where do you work with young people?

CHOOSE 180 Counseling is for youth and young adults, most of them are from age 13-24. We see participants at their schools, in community, occasionally at our offices, and virtually. We offer free mental health therapy from our two licensed providers. There is no requirement for health insurance, and we seek to be as accessible as possible. - Jana

Our expressive arts therapy program incorporates the arts paired with mental health to help a young person explore their emotions through dance, writing, drama, movement, and painting/drawing. A person is not required to have artistic ability to be able to express themselves in this way. - Daicia

What can a young person expect if they join the program? FAQs

Any young person who engages in counseling with us can expect caring presence, focus on relationship, regular sessions centered around coping, goals, life issues, and hopes for the future. We use several methods, from talk therapy, to expressive arts, to process together with participants. - Jana

A young person in our program can expect to be the lead in their own mental health journey. We want them to feel comfortable and respected as individuals who have unique autonomy over what works for them and what doesn't. 

A person who is working with me will get an art kit with a notebook, coloring book, markers, colored pencils, crayons and paint. If a client is interested in another modality we are able to explore that with them and provide the tools needed for this activity. Counseling can be as often as they like and if they are not feeling like meeting or being called out of class we respect this decision and never force care on our clients. - Daicia 

Are you seeing impacts as a result of participating in counseling and/or expressive arts therapy? What are you hearing from young people?

We are seeing consistent strength and resilience in those who’ve been involved in counseling and expressive arts! We hear young people encourage one another to share more vulnerability in group (just this week in a group, a young person asked their peers what they normally do when they’re experiencing depression), we see them cheer one another on and inspire one another (every week we see participants hype each other and encourage anyone who is going through difficulty). We’re hearing from young people that they NEED and WANT mental healthcare to be available to everyone, and they want to be part of making a change in our society to more highly value people’s real needs. They are informed and care about history and want to make a difference. - Jana

The impact that we are seeing from the young people can range from small goals being met to us hearing about them talking a conflict out when in other incidents they would have used violence or done something destructive. I notice that youth are less likely (compared to adults) to name or give themselves credit for what they are accomplishing, and they are less likely to relate these changes to counseling. It is important for me to give them credit and praise even for the smallest accomplishments that they are making, as it is impactful to their mental health goals. -Daicia

Quotes from counseling participants:

  • “If CHOOSE 180 was like a movie it would be the turtle and the rabbit racing. CHOOSE 180 would be the turtle because no matter what obstacles or challenges, they are willing to take the time you make it to the finish line of sustainability and success”

  • “Counseling helped me open up more and to not hold things in”

  • “It is relieving to do outdoor activities, art work, and peaceful thinking. The resources have been very helpful since joining CHOOSE 180. Daicia has been very supportive with my ongoing life changes that have occurred, Olivia [Aftercare Success Coach] also. With resources that have been provided I have been able to do art work and other activities with my son.”

What would you say to a young person going through a hard time right now?

First, I would listen, empathize, and reflect. Then I would remind this young person that I’ve seen growth in them through so many hard times, and that I have seen them use their own wisdom to find support and strength that they don’t always remember they have. I would be honest that life is painful and exhausting a lot of the time, and I am lucky to be able to walk alongside them in the hard times and see new seasons and blossoming, too. -Jana

Not one single person can always be the best version of themselves. Don't be so hard on yourself and don't be afraid to ask for help. There are people who care, people who have gone through what you are going through and you CAN make it out of this feeling/time in your life. I heard a really powerful metaphor about visualizing our emotional pain as a train on a track passing by in our minds. When I am upset I feel it all over my body and it can trick my mind into thinking my pain is who I am or always will be. This image of our pain being separated from who we are and being seen as just something passing through us has helped me in some instances. -Daicia 

How do you think mental health relates to restorative justice? 

Mental health is a major part of restorative justice. Many people will comment that mental health support is what was needed before a preventable tragedy happens, and that is absolutely true, but we must not underestimate the importance of interventions with mental health as well. People are so important and our stories are what impact us–with mental health support, these stories can be shared in a way that can allow light, insight, empathy, and strength to change how the story is experienced and retold. Even though there aren’t “excuses” for decisions that cause pain, there are always reasons and a seeking of needs to be met. Mental health care itself is restorative. It states that someone deserves to be heard, believed, and believed in. And mental health care can also impact those who have been harmed, by allowing space for perspective, validation, grief, and advocacy. - Jana

I think mental health relates to restorative justice because it is a way for both parties involved to heal and find peace. Hurt people hurt people and healed people heal people. Mental health conversations, easy access to resources, support systems, and making sure a person is able to get all of their basic needs met can do a lot for them. Society sees someone who made a mistake and labels them a ‘bad person’ when there is so much more going on within them. - Daicia 

If you or a young person in your life is interested in our counseling program, apply here! To support our programming visit our giving page.

Interested in learning more? Check out additional blogs from Daicia and Jana:

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Restorative Justice at CHOOSE 180

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Mental Health as Resilience and Resistance