Mental Health/Student Social Emotional Support
Student Mental Health Support Information Session for Parents, Caregivers, Other Supportive Adults
The Denfeld Mental Health Support Team hosted a virtual student mental health information session for parents, caregivers and other supportive adults.
Topics included in this session were:
- The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescents and caregivers
- Typical responses to the situation
- Mental health concerns and red flags to watch for
- Coping skills, resources and supports
- Time for a question & answer session
The session focused on how the pandemic has impacted both students and the adults who care for them. If you missed the workshop, please click on the link to watch the video: Teen Mental Health Support During COVID-19
Depression and Suicide are two other areas of concern that many of our families are facing during this pandemic. Please click on this link to watch an informative session on Suicide Prevention: Information on Teen Suicide & Suicide Prevention
Additional Resources From The Presentations: Northland Mental Health Agencies
COVID - 19 COMMUNITY SOURCES OF SUPPORT
Tips to Stay Healthy Outside of School (put together by the ISD 709 School Counselors):
- Limit your exposure to news outlets.
- Use reliable sources when looking for updated information such as CDC Website or MN Dept of Health.
- Take care of your body by eating healthy food, get your body moving, get quality sleep, and go outside.
- Find and be diligent about a daily routine.
- Find activities that help you relax when stress arises. (take a bath, listen to music, draw, journal)
- Talk to people around you for support. Don’t rely on social media for communication.
- Practice positive thinking and self-talk. Remember what is in your control and what is out of your control.
- Acknowledge your feelings, then practice moving past them when needed.
- Track your social media/screen time and know when to turn off, or set aside, your phone.
- Keep your brain active!
- Research career ideas, make a future plan.
- Take a virtual museum tour. Museum of Natural History, Glensheen Mansion
- Stay on track with your current classes.
- Read!
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Talk with a trusted adult
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Practice Mindfulness Let Go of Stress Meditation, Make You Smile Meditation
Resources for Duluth Families
Click on the name of each listing to get more information and updates.
- Boys & Girls Clubs are providing grab-and-go snacks, dinners, and care packages out of our Lincoln Park site.
- Meals & snacks are FREE to any school age youth regardless whether or not they are a club member.
- Snack served 3-4pm & dinner served 5-6pm.
- We have personal care supplies like shampoo and conditioner as well as some games and books available upon request.
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Tuesdays/Thursdays/Fridays 12-12:30 curbside pick-up (meals)
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Monday - Thursday, 4:15-5:00 curbside pick-up (meals)
- Contact them at the phone number above to learn about their youth, housing, and food programs.
- Community Kitchen: Duluth's Damiano Center serves meals in the parking lot Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 8:30-Continental breakfast, 8:30-9:30 a.m.; lunch, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and dinner, 5-6 p.m. Friday through Sunday only.
- The Damiano Center serves to go meals during serving times in the Second Avenue West parking lot. The building and other programs are closed except to staff and volunteers preparing meals.
- Click on the link to learn about all their programs or email them at info@damianocenter.org for more information.
- Building is closed but if a family is in need of diapers/wipes they should call (218) 302-6879 and arrange for curbside pickup of items. Hours are limited.
Sources of Strength - a message from Scott LoMurray, Executive Director
Schools may be closed, and trainings are canceled, but our strengths are not. Positive Friendships are not canceled, although the time we spend together may look and feel different. Healthy Activities are not canceled, even though we might need to get creative when practicing them inside. Family Support, Mentors, Generosity, and Spirituality are not canceled, they are the life-giving relationships and practices that support and sustain us. Medical Access (Physical Health) and Mental Health are invaluable resources and we will be doing our best to help you stay well, name and notice your emotions, practice calming and healthy coping, and building relationships and connections, even from a social distance.
Follow us online @sourcesofstrength on Instagram as we launch a national “What Helps Me” campaign next week. We want to hear from you, your friends, and your communities: when you feel angry, anxious, or sad, what helps? If you’re feeling overwhelmed, frozen or freaked out, who or what can help you feel better? If you're feeling confused and uncertain of what you feel from one moment to the next, how can you connect to your strengths? Our staff will be here to share, to reflect, and to connect.
Youth Employment Services - YES Duluth
YES Duluth has current information about the virus, how it is affecting employment, and will assist with obtaining unemployment if you have been laid off from your job.
ISD 709 - Free Breakfast & Lunch
Duluth Public Schools will have a free bagged meal available to Duluth students 18 years of age and younger weekdays beginning March 18. No paperwork necessary and the parent/guardian may pick up a bagged meal without students present.
Meals will be served from at various school locations and from a school bus at the designated locations and times. Any student from any school can pick up a meal at any location. Click on the ISD 709 Link above to find times and locations.
Crisis Text Line is offering Text-based suicide prevention services across Minnesota. People who text MN to 741741 will be connected with a counselor who will help defuse the crisis and connect the texter to local resources. Crisis Text Line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Mental health and addiction issues are more prevalent than ever during this time. Nystrom & Associates is offering expert clinicians as a resource as it relates to COVID-19 and its adverse effects. Click Here For More Information
Additional Duluth/Superior Area Resources
Click onto the above link for additional community mental health resources.
Denfeld High School Team of Support
School Counselors
The role of the School Counselors is to address academic achievement, personal/social development and career development of all students, not just those in need, by collaborating with students, parents, school staff and the community to ensure today's students become the productive, well-adjusted adults of tomorrow. School counselors are available at district middle and high schools.
Grade 9 Counselor:
Jenny Wellnitz - Email: Jennifer.Wellnitz@isd709.org - Phone: (2180 336 -8830; ext. 2050
Grades 10, 11, and 12: Counselors:
School Social Workers
The role of the School Social Workers is to assist students in strengthening skills and overcoming negative barriers to the student's well being. In our school, School Social Workers work primarily with students who receive special education services as part of the student's Individual Educational Plan. School Social Workers also address specific needs of our students by providing connections and contacts in the community.
School Social Workers:
Social Workers on Special Assignment:
Check & Connect Coordinator: Provides mentoring, personal and academic support for students.
School-based Mental Health Therapists
Denfeld currently has two agencies that offer services in our building:
- Nystrom & Associations
- Fond du Lac School Linked Mental Health
The student can be referred by a parent, teacher, staff, self, or social worker. Once referred, the therapists work with families by addressing emotional, behavioral or social issues that may be interfering in a student’s ability to be successful in school, at home or in the community. Services are billed through health insurance or medical assistance. All services are confidential and can be accessed during regular school hours. For more information, please contact your child's School Counselor or Social Worker.