Counselor's Corner ~For Adults Only

by Toni Marie Ormachea

Taking Care of the Caregiver- Minding Our Mental Wellness During the Holidays and Beyond

12/05/2021


Dear McKinley Family,


While this time of year often brings joy and fond memories; it may also unearth feelings of overwhelm, stress, grief, loss, and lack. What contributes to such feelings? Many of us are likely balancing endless to-do lists: shopping, cooking, cleaning, planning, traveling, working, decorating, entertaining, caretaking, etc. Additionally, and sadly; others are likely experiencing the holidays without a loved one for the first time- separated by loss, distance, or circumstances.


With the above in mind, coupled with all that we have faced individually and collectively over the last few years; I wanted to reach out and encourage you (myself included) to purposefully engage in some self-care: Take time to relax, unwind, connect to yourself, seek what gives you simple joy, and settle into the holiday season.


While practicing self-care it is also important to stay mindful of our mental wellness; to acknowledge our feelings (even the dark ones); and to reach out for help if/when it’s needed. The impact of trauma and stress can be like a steady drip- it seems to slowly pool; but once it starts overflowing, it can be difficult to stop. Thus, before winter break commences; we wanted to remind you of the many resources available in our community (see below).

*Please save these resources so you can easily reference them should you or a family member need assistance now or in the future.*


If you scroll to the bottom of this newsletter, you will find a few resources to help you get on your path to self-care:


*Smiling Mind- Breathing, Mindfulness, and Meditation for the whole family (links)

*Winter Self-Care Challenge- Wonderfully simple ideas to nurture yourself


  • New word: "Fika" is a break that can be taken at any time in the day to chat with


family, friends, or colleagues whilst enjoying a cup of coffee and a sweet.





Wishing the very best to you and your loved ones- now and always.



Warmly and gratefully yours,

Mrs. Ormachea

McKinley School Counselor

tormachea@gusd.org

530-632-6687

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Assistance in Locating and Securing a Mental Health Provider

Care Solace


Gridley Unified School District partnered with Care Solace to support the well-being of staff and students, and their family members. Care Solace is a complimentary and confidential care coordination service that can help you quickly find mental health or substance use treatment options matched to your needs regardless of circumstance.

If you or a family member are looking for help with mental health or substance use and would like to use Care Solace to help you find a provider:

  • Call 888-515-0595. Support is available 24/7/365 in any language.

or

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Crisis and Emergency Needs

Call- 911 or and request a Crisis Intervention Trained (C.I.T.) response


Go to the closest emergency room for support



Call- Behavioral Health Crisis Lines
24 hours a day / 7 days a week
800.334.6622, or 530.891.2810



Call- The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
English: 800.273.TALK (8255)

Español: 888-628-9454

Chat online at: suicidepreventionlifeline.org



Text- Crisis Text Line

Text “Hello” or “Home” to 741741 to connect with support



Call- Trevor Lifeline (LGBTQ + Crisis Support)
866.488.7386



Call- North Valley Talk Line
4:30 to 9:30pm / 7 days a week
855.582.5554



Call- Veterans Crisis Line
800.273.8255 (press 1)



Call- Friendship Line (older adults)
800.971.0016

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Local Assistance- Butte County, Help in a Crisis

Retrieved from: https://www.buttecounty.net/behavioralhealth/help-in-crisis


  • If you are in a life-threatening emergency situation, dial 9-1-1.
  • Crisis Services are available to all age groups unless otherwise noted. These services are accessed by self-referral or agency/department referrals.



Call- Behavioral Health Crisis Lines
24 hours a day / 7 days a week
800.334.6622, or 530.891.2810



Walk-In Crisis Services

Available 6:00am to 11:00pm, 7 days a week, including holidays.
560 Cohasset Rd. Ste. 180,
Chico, CA 95926



Crisis Response Team

The Crisis Response Team provides services to individuals in Butte County who are experiencing mental health crisis events, regardless of insurance status and age, to determine appropriate level of care to maintain consumer and community safety.

How to access Crisis Response Team services:

o Self-Referral/Walk-in Services

Available 6:00am to 11:00pm, 7 days a week, including holidays.
560 Cohasset Rd. Ste. 180,
Chico, CA 95926

o Community-based Referrals

  • Local hospital providers: Available 24 hours, 7 days a week, including holidays
  • Butte County schools: Available during school hours



Mobile Crisis Team

  • The Mobile Crisis Team (MCT) partners with law enforcement, through direct referrals, to provide crisis related outreach and engagement as well as respond to 911 requests regarding possible psychiatric or emotional crises in the community.
  • MCT operates with the goal of reducing the use of involuntary psychiatric hospitalization when appropriate by providing consultation, crisis assessment and engagement of the individual in need, seeking alternative treatment resources, including referrals to voluntary psychiatric services as available.
  • Currently, the collaboration with the Chico Police is funded through the Mental Health Services Act, and the collaboration with the Sheriff's Office is funded through the SB 82 Triage Grant.



Crisis Triage Connect

  • The Connect Team facilitates consumer movement through the crisis continuum; including coordinating hospitalization placement as needed, discharge planning, monitoring, and follow-up case management.
  • The transport team drives clients to and from psychiatric hospitals, takes them for medical clearances to access in-patient services, and takes them home or back into the community.
  • The Connect Team communicates with psychiatric hospitals to setup follow-up services upon discharge from a psychiatric hospital.
  • The Connect Team also provides short term case management services for adults (18 +) to facilitate the warm hand-off between inpatient and outpatient services.



Homeless Emergency Action Response Team

Toll Free: 1.877.478.6292 (RunAWAY)

The Homeless Emergency Action Response Team (HEART) program, operated by Youth For Change, provides street outreach services, a 24/7 crisis hotline and mobile response, emergency shelter, assessment, case management, and brief individual and family counseling to stabilize living situations and strengthen families.

The goals of this program are:

  • To provide physical and emotional safety to youth experiencing a homeless or runaway episode; reunite runaway youth with their families and strengthen family bonds;
  • Promote stable living conditions for runaway and homeless youth, including youth that are at risk from separation from their families;
  • And design, implement and maintain a services delivery system that is responsive to the unique needs of runaway and homeless youth in Butte County.



Hospital Alternative Program

Age Range: Ages 0 to 17

Provided by Youth for Change, is a short-term intensive service for youth at-risk of hospitalization. The Hospital Alternative Program provides comprehensive response and support services to youth who need intensive services as an alternative to being hospitalized following a 5150 screening.

  • 24/7 access to clinical care as needed.
  • Crisis intervention and stabilization skills.
  • Safety planning with youth and family members to encourage stabilization and reduce risk.
  • Intensive short-term interventions to connect youth/family to longer-lasting supports.
  • Facilitate a Multi-Disciplinary Team meeting to individualize a treatment plan to meet the unique needs of the youth and his or her family.
  • Advocacy for youth and family needs.



Psychiatric Health Facility

The Psychiatric Health Facility is a 16-bed, 24-hour acute non-medical facility. The facility provides a safe environment for voluntary and involuntary clients needing acute care for mental illness to receive support and treatment.

· During an average stay of 3 to 5 days, professional staff and clients work together to restore and maintain each individual's optimal physical and emotional well-being in a therapeutic atmosphere.

· Each individual and their family are encouraged to actively participate in their own care, and treatment planning. In addition, the staff works toward returning the individual to the best possible existence within the community at the least restrictive level of care. Services include:

  • Evaluation and stabilization of acute psychiatric crisis
  • 24-hour nursing care and medication monitoring
  • Referrals to appropriate community support and services
  • Psychiatric consultation

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