Newport Mental Health tips following Portsmouth building collapse
Middletown students help break ground on new high/middle school
The school will be the first combined public school for grades 6-12 in Rhode Island.
- Parents are encouraged to observe changes in behavior, maintain open communication, and uphold routines while remaining flexible.
- Newport Mental Health offers support services, including school-based counselors and a 24/7 crisis helpline.
- Children and teens are encouraged to talk to trusted adults and seek professional help if needed.
The recent tragedy in Portsmouth involving the loss of a high school student has deeply affected our community. For many families, it has sparked urgent conversations about how we support the emotional and mental well-being of our children. In the wake of this heartbreaking event, it’s important to remember that help is available for children, teens and families who are navigating grief, anxiety, and trauma.
Helping parents recognize and address the signs
Children may say they’re fine, but they often express their struggles through behavior rather than words. Parents should be attentive to subtle changes such as irritability, withdrawal from social activities or changes in sleep or eating patterns.
Open communication is vital. Let them know you’re there to support them. “Be willing to listen and don’t minimize their feelings,” Stephanie Lujan Rickerman, division director of children’s services at Newport Mental Health, said. Instead, validate their experiences and encourage them to express themselves.
“It’s also important to continue the same routines,” she said. “Things will feel unfamiliar and scary, so routines help while staying flexible to their needs.”
If you’re unsure about whether or not your child needs additional support, you can call our helpline and ask for guidance. By reaching out to Newport Mental Health, you’re taking a proactive step in ensuring your child’s well-being.
Helping children and teens
It’s OK to not feel OK. Recognizing when you’re struggling is the first step toward healing. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, sad or disconnected, know that you’re not alone. Talking to someone you trust – a parent, teacher, school counselor or friend – can be incredibly relieving. Newport Mental Health has counselors in the Portsmouth and Middletown schools, and you can always ask to sit down with them. Or you can call or visit our offices in Middletown, where we offer a safe space to speak openly and receive the support you deserve.
Remember, your feelings matter. By seeking support, you’re taking an important step toward understanding your feelings and learning how to care for your mental health.
“Life is hard,” said Danielle Starkey, a Newport Mental Health school therapist working with high and middle schoolers. “Mental health is a lifetime journey. We try to give kids tools that will carry them through to adulthood and help them feel well and flourish.”
“It doesn’t matter how old you are, when you’re struggling it’s hard, and it feels lonely,” Starkey said. “To be told that others have the same feelings, and that there are things that can help, just that hope can be enough to pull you through.”
Mallory Leonard, a Newport Mental Health children’s outpatient clinician, says, “Kids often tell me things like, ‘After talking to you I feel better. I did what you suggested, and it really worked. I’m practicing a self-care routine or a coping skill and it’s working for me.’ “
“I always want to remind them that I am helpful, but you’re doing the real work,” she said. “I try to listen and be what they need.”
If you or someone you know needs support, Newport Mental Health is here to help people of all ages. Walk-in hours (no appointment needed) are Monday through Friday, from 9 am to 2 pm, at 42 Valley Road in Middletown. Additionally, the crisis helpline is staffed with trained counselors who are available 24/7 by calling (401) 846-1213 option 1. And you can also call the national crisis line at 988.
For additional resources to help a child who is grieving, please visit: The Dougy Center at dougy.org, the National Alliance for Children’s Grief at nagc.org, or Child Mind Institute, childmind.org.
Dayna Gladstein is President & CEO of Newport Mental Health in Middletown. Peace of Mind, which is co-written with Kristan McClintock, appears monthly in The Newport Daily News and on newportri.com.
Newport Mental Health is a 501(c)3, charitable nonprofit and a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) that provides mental health and substance use treatment to those who live, work, and study in Newport County, regardless of their income, insurance, or ability to pay. Newport Mental Health offers programs and services for children and adults; immediate access to care is available by calling 401-846-1213. For more information, please visit newportmentalhealth.org
link
