Megan Burke’s Post

*Trigger warning: mention of suicide* Each time I hear a young person say that they want to end it all, internally my brain and heart pause and palpitate together. No matter how often you hear this, it's always heavy. I want to protect them, save them, take away their pain. Externally, I don't flinch. I look them straight in the eye and say, "Tell me more", and I listen. It's true, I can't save everyone. All I can do is listen and show up. Repeatedly. For them. In hope that one day they will start (or restart) showing up for themselves. Ofcourse, offer therapeutic interventions as we go along. . . . An insightful article into the experience of a therapist that works with young people who are experiencing a pandemic of mental health issues eventually leading to suicidal ideation.

May is mental health awareness month and this article really struck me as a social worker who works in the suicide prevention field. In college I volunteered at the national suicide prevention lifeline and took over 500 calls, some calls higher risk than others. Most of the callers were profoundly lonely in their pain and suffering and wanted to feel anything other that what they were feeling. I would do a risk assessment for each case, and I found that many people called our number not because they wanted to end their lives but because they wanted to end the pain they were feeling. At that point, it was critical for me to assure the caller that if they were in no real threat to themselves or others , I would not send emergency services to their location. This can be very traumatic for the client, especially they might have to wait hours in an ER or interact with the police. This May I am working with the NAN Project to break the stigma surrounding mental health by presenting the organization's message to middle and high school students. I have worked primarily with high schoolers who have shared their hesitancy on telling a trusted adult about a friend's mental health crisis. There are many layers to why that is, but I would bet on a fear of a hasty suicide risk assessment and being sent to an unfamiliar environment that may do more harm than good. How can we as social workers assess for suicide risk in collaboration with our clients and their caregivers to preserve saftey but also the right to self determination?

Eight Ways to Help your Child Cope while in the Hospital: 1. Simply be present. Hold their hand; be calm and reassuring; and, if possible, be with them during tests and procedures. 2. Be patient. Emotions can flare up in the hospital – this is common but often temporary. But don’t be afraid to set boundaries like you do at home. 3. Help your child understand. Being open and honest can make the experience less scary. 4. Help your child express their worries or feelings. Listen to your child’s concerns. 5. Talk about feelings together and allow them to ask questions. 6. Help your child feel comfortable around hospital staff. Allow them to ask questions about their treatment. 7. Minimize their time being left alone. When you leave, try to have another trusted adult take your place. Be sure your child knows where you’re going and when you’ll return. 8. Take care of yourself. Don’t hesitate to ask for help and discuss your feelings with friends. www.theNCCS.org (Tips from The National Child Traumatic Stress Network) #tiptuesday #theNCCS #childhoodcancer

Breast Ironing! Here's my final quick reference guide focusing on the top 5 wide/national safeguarding concerns. (Mental Health in May) As early years practitioners, it's important to understand these wider/national safeguarding concerns. While many are familiar with the 4 types of abuse, some may not be aware of these wider concerns. Understanding these contexts and symptoms is crucial to identifying vulnerability at the earliest opportunity. What's the most prevalent concern in your early years settings area? Let's work together to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children. #safeguarding #earlyyears #childprotection

This new approach to mental health treatment for all ages has the potential to revolutionize care delivery. With the emergence of urgent care centers specializing in mental health, patients can now access care more quickly and efficiently. This innovative concept is worth keeping an eye on as it has the potential to create a positive impact on the overall healthcare system. #mentalhealth #healthcare Check out this article from the Wall Street Journal to learn more: https://lnkd.in/etGdezMa

ACTION ALERT: Join Mental Health America and MHAMD in asking the U.S. Senate to vote YES on the the Kids Online Safety Act! Email your Senators today: https://lnkd.in/e7DVnfaS The Kids Online Safety Act, also known as #KOSA, requires social media platforms to proactively design their platforms and algorithms with safety and well-being in mind. That means not promoting or exacerbating specific mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance use disorder and suicide ideation, or facilitating bullying, sexual exploitation, or the sale of illicit drugs to minors.

Concerned about potential substance use risks for yourself, your child, or someone you care about? Take a 10-minute screening on the "Talk. They Hear You." app to assess the situation. There are treatment options available, including counseling and medications. You can learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eMVJWt3Q

This blog explores practical strategies for schools to address the impact of childhood trauma and foster supportive and compassionate environments.

The New York Times recently highlighted a study of twins that further confirms our understanding of the long-term health effects of childhood trauma on individuals. For example, the study found that "a twin who reported maltreatment was 1.2 times as likely to suffer from a mental illness as the unaffected twin in identical twin pairs, and 1.7 times as likely in fraternal twin pairs." The study's findings also highlight the importance of investment in early prevention and trauma mitigation programs by adding to what Mark Bellis, a professor of public health at Liverpool John Moores University in Britain described as “the increasingly irrefutable evidence that it is going to cost us all a lot less if we invest in tackling” abuse and neglect of children now, rather than “continuing to pay for the epidemic levels of harm” they cause downstream. Read more: https://nyti.ms/3VCckKr #MentalHealth #MentalHealthResearch #TraumaInformed #EmpowerYouth #MentorsMatter #OneChildOneFriend #FriendsTwinCities

Understanding Hoarding Disorder 📢 Hoarding Disorder (HD), affecting 3-5% of the population, leads to excessive saving and chronic disorganization, impacting health and safety. Isolation and denial often prevent those affected from seeking help. At Plan Today for Tomorrow, we focus on legal issues related to HD. We offer representation for individuals facing eviction or public health notices, and assist families with guardianship proceedings. For support, contact us at [email protected] Learn more at https://lnkd.in/exC2EP3g. #HoardingDisorder #ElderLaw #LegalSupport #PlanTodayForTomorrow #MentalHealth *Attorney Advertising Information Only. Prior results do not guarantee future success*