Guidance and Pupil Personnel Services
Welcome
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now:
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. While some areas may be currently able to connect to the Lifeline by dialing 988, this dialing code will be available to everyone across the United States starting on July 16, 2022.
Information about the Mobile Crisis Assessment Team (MCAT)
MCAT (https://www.neighborhoodctr.org/services/mobile-crisis-assessment-team/) - MCAT is available to anyone seeking crisis intervention services in Oneida, Herkimer, Schoharie, Otsego, Delaware and Chenango counties. For Crisis Services-Call: (315) 732-6228 or (844) 732-6228. 24- Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week.
If you are in need of immediate assistance, please dial 911.
NY Project Hope’s Emotional Support Helpline number is 1-844-863-9314. Trained crisis counselors are available every day from 8am to 10pm. For coping tips, relaxation exercises and much more, log onto NY Project Hope’s website, NYProjectHope.org.
There is also a mental health hotline for New York residents who may be experiencing anxiety due to the coronavirus pandemic. More than 6,000 mental health professionals will be available to answer calls. You can reach the hotline at 844-863-9314.
The NYS Office of Mental Health webpage dedicated to the COVID-19 crisis can be found here.
There is an Oneida County mental health hotline to help people suffering with anxiety and other issues over the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. You can reach the hotline at 1-800-678-0888.
Parents:
How to respond to the passing of a child’s friend
- Acknowledge the situation
- Modeling that it is okay to talk about the loss of a friend will allow your child to talk about their feelings honestly and without judgment.
- Validate your child’s feelings; it’s okay to experience a range of emotions.
- Observe how your child grieves
- Your child may have decreased interests in some of their favorite hobbies or have trouble eating or sleeping.
- Many times children express grief in short outbursts between periods of acting completely fine; these moments are the time to talk with them, when they are most open to discussing emotions.
- Keep it age appropriate
- Be conscious of the language you use.
- Be honest, but avoid using graphic details.
- Encourage them to ask questions and answer them honestly, but simply.
- Help your child work through rumors
- Rumors tend to spread rapidly.
- Ask your child what they’ve heard and explain to them that while some rumors may be true, you don’t know the whole story.
- Encourage them to refrain from making judgments or casting blame.
- It’s okay to never fully understand, “why.”
- Establish their go-to
- Ask your child who they feel comfortable confiding in and make sure they are aware of the counseling resources available at their school.
- Ask your child who they feel comfortable confiding in and make sure they are aware of the counseling resources available at their school.
- Revisit the conversation
- Coping with the loss of a friend is not something that happens quickly. Revisit the conversation periodically. This will remind your child that you are always there to love and support them as they navigate through the ups and downs.
- Coping with the loss of a friend is not something that happens quickly. Revisit the conversation periodically. This will remind your child that you are always there to love and support them as they navigate through the ups and downs.
- Visit a specialist
- No parent can feel prepared for the tragedy of having a child experience the loss of a friend. If your child seems to have difficulty with their daily functioning, seems isolated, aggressive, lacks interest in fun activities, has changed eating or sleeping patterns, or is overly focused on death, seek help right away.
- Mobile Crisis Assessment Team – 315-732-6228