April 3, 2022
As promised, here is the link to a video recording of the webinar held last week on youth mental health and well-being earlier this evening:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4cWj1HejOA
I strongly encourage you to view the webinar, as our guest expert provided valuable insights for ways to talk to our students about their mental health and how to best reach out for supports.
Additionally, below is a list of mental and emotional health resources. Remember, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child's school if you have a question or a concern. You can call the school and ask to speak with the school psychologist or adjustment counselor, or you can go to our website, select your child's school from the menu, and click "Mental Health & Wellness Resources" on the left hand side of your school's homepage for email links and phone numbers.
Joe Sawyer
Superintendent of Schools
MENTAL & EMOTIONAL HEALTH RESOURCES
If you are experiencing a medical or mental health emergency, fear for your safety or that of others, please call 911 immediately.
If your concerns are of a less urgent nature, the following mental health crisis resources may be helpful:
Worcester Team: 1-866-549-2142
508-334-3562 - UMass Memorial Hospital
1-800-273-8255
Shrewsbury Youth & Family Services
Shrewsbury Youth & Family Services is Shrewsbury's private, non-profit counseling and social services agency, providing a diverse offering of programs and services that help to strengthen and support youth and families, including counseling. Email: info@syfs-ma.org Phone: 508-845-6932
Mental Health Resource and Referral Service for Shrewsbury
The William James INTERFACE Referral Service is a mental health resource and referral Helpline available Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm at 888-244-6843. The Helpline is available to Shrewsbury residents and/or public school students in subscribing communities across Massachusetts to access outpatient mental health services. What makes this service unique is that they do not provide merely a list of providers, but rather matched referrals to mental health professionals and practices who best meet the caller’s needs, insurance or fee requirement, specialty request, location, and availability. The Helpline is staffed by mental health professionals, as well as graduate level students from William James College. Additionally, here is a link to a YouTube video about INTERFACE, as well as a flyer in English and Spanish with what to expect when you reach out to INTERFACE.
Handhold (Massachusetts-based website with information on child mental health and emotional well-being for parents & caretakers)
https://handholdma.org
Shrewsbury Public Schools Well-Being Guide
https://schools.shrewsburyma.gov/district/well-being-guide