Family Wellness News
King Philip, Norfolk, Plainville & Wrentham Schools, 11/2023
Accessing Outside Supports for Counseling and/or Crisis
The four districts have been partnering with Interface Referral Services for the past few years to allow families to call and speak to a mental health professional to receive matched referrals to an outside provider for their child. We appreciate the service they have provided to families.
We are in the process of securing a partnership with another provider who will allow families to access referral services for their child and other family members. Therefore, families will only be able to access Interface Referral Services through the first week of December. Interface will continue to work with families they have already been assisting through the end of December.
Watch for details on our new partnership beginning in January!
In the meantime, the following resources are available to you:
Behavioral Health Help Line - State Help Line that anyone can call or text at 833-773-2445. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in more than 200 languages. The helpline can help individuals and families navigate the behavioral health system and access treatment, including mobile crisis services.
Riverside Mobile Crisis Intervention - Anyone experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis can call, 24/7/365, for mobile crisis intervention, or for consultation before a situation becomes critical. Community alternative to emergency room visit. 800-529-5077
Community Behavioral Health Center for our area is Riverside CBHC, 190 Lenox Street, Norwood. Provides crisis evaluation, de-escalation, and triage to appropriate next level of care on-site or in the home/community. Available 24/7/365, for all, with or without insurance. 800-529-5077
Family Wellness Resources website - provides resources related to mental health, referral services, counseling, food access, financial assistance, grief, and more.
How to Talk with Children About the Traumatic Events Happening in Israel and Gaza
Recording: How to Talk with Children About the Traumatic Events Happening in Israel and Gaza (October 18, 2023)
Resources shared by Mindwise:
Things to Think About and How to Care for Yourself During Times of Disaster / High Stress
Talk Saves Lives
Monday, November 20
12-1:30 pm
Groups Being Offered At Area Agencies
Compass Social Skills and Counseling in Wrentham has reached out to remind us of their services.
New groups beginning, accepting new members for all except the HS one.
Thrive through Middle School, ages 11-14
Girls with Grit and Grace, Jr., ages 11-14
Emotion Explorers, ages 6-8, and 9-11
Girls with Grit and Grace, age 15-17 (waitlist)Digital Wellness
- Technology has the ability to make a positive difference in our lives, but we have to make good use decisions.
- Families need to make their own use decisions and expectations, what works in one house may not work in another.
- A surprise for many parents - Youth need to be 13 to use many of the apps out there by Government regulation. Companies can’t ensure protection if you are using under 13. Katie recommends deleting those accounts or suspending until one is 13.
- Privacy online is tricky and blurry. Privacy settings can protect you; however, it is not guaranteed that what we do is always private.
- SHIP accounts are most often problematic. She recommends deleting these accounts with the creator.
- Be mindful that though Snapchat may disappear, others may have access through screenshots and sharing.
- Not everything seen on social media is accurate or authentic.
- Overall, create positive digital footprints, be good consumers of technology, and be aware that what we create stays out there.
Wait Until 8th
A number of local parents have been interested in the Wait Until 8th campaign, for those who want to learn more about delaying smartphone access and connection to social media. For more information, visit waituntil8th.org.
The Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children's Hospital offers a number of resources, including a Parent's Guide to Creating Shared Media Agreements, to help you navigate discussions on agreements and expectations at home.
For more digital wellness resources, visit the Family Wellness Resources- Digital Wellness
King Philip, Norfolk, Plainville & Wrentham Schools Wellness
Regional Director of Wellness
Email: pearld@kingphilip.org
Website: Family Wellness Resources Website
Phone: 508 520-7991, ext. 2312
Email: pearld@kingphilip.org
Website: https://sites.google.com/kingphilip.org/familywellnessresources
Phone: (508)520-7991 2312
Email: pearld@kingphilip.org or dpearl@norfolk.k12.ma.us
Website: Family Wellness Resources
Location: 18 King Street, Norfolk, MA, USA
Phone: 508 520-7991, ext. 2312