Mental Health Resources & Information

What is Mental Health? 

Mental Health is defined as how a person thinks, feels, and acts in regards to their emotional, psychological, and social well-being.  It helps determine how we will handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.  Having good mental health is important at every stage of our lives.  Ways that may help you maintain good mental health include: getting professional help when you need it, connecting with others, getting physically active, getting enough sleep, helping others, and developing positive coping skills. Throughout your life if you experience mental health concerns, your thinking, emotions, and behavior could be affected. Mental health problems are common and help is available. People with mental health problems can get better and many people recover completely with the right support. (mentalhealth.gov)

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms talk to a parent or trusted adult, and consider seeking professional help:

• Can't eat or sleep
• Can't perform daily tasks like going to school
• Don't want to hang out with your friends or family
• Don't want to do things you usually enjoy
• Fight a lot with family and friends
• Feel like you can't control your emotions and it's affecting your relationships with your family and friends
• Have low or no energy
• Feel hopeless
• Feel numb or like nothing matters
• Can't stop thinking about certain things or memories
• Feel confused, forgetful, edgy, angry, upset, worried, or scared
• Want to harm yourself or others
• Have random aches and pains
• Smoke, drink, or use drugs
• Hear voices

(mentalhealth.gov)

Addressing News and Current Events: Parenting Tips

Tips for Families: Managing Stress & Anxiety During Covid 19

Everyone reacts differently.  How we respond to the pandemic can depend on our culture, background, the things that make us different from other people, and the community we live in.  Finding healthy ways to cope with stress will make us, the people we care about, and our community stronger.

• Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.
• Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate. Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, and avoid alcohol and drugs.
• Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy, and do something that fits for you spiritually or religiously. Connect with others, talk with people you trust about concerns and how you are feeling.
• Call your healthcare provider if stress gets in the way of your daily activities for several days in a row.
• Deal with your own anxiety, talk with your kids, ask how they are feeling, share relevant information, limit screen time, and let your child know we’re using social distancing so fewer people get sick.

Grief and Loss

Essentia Health Videos: 

• Grief & Loss for Teens 
• Grief & Loss for Teachers & Parents

Essentia Health Grief Support Website: 

• Grief & Bereavement Support

Mental Health Services Across Duluth Public Schools

Contact Information for School Social Workers, Counselors & Psychologists by School Site

Elementary Schools:

Stowe - 218-336-8965

• Amanda Borling: Special Education Social Worker x.3020
• John Hirman: School Psychologist x.2561

Laura MacArthur - 218-336-8900

• Amanda Borling: Special Education School Social Worker x.3020
• Christine Ziegler: General Education School Social Worker x.3124
• Scott Pilate: School Psychologist x.2766

Piedmont - 218-336-8950

• Maya Vukelich: Special Education School Social Worker x.3272
• Jessica Bradley: General Education School Social Worker x.2562
• Michelle Cordle: School Psychologist x.3119

Lowell - 218-336-8895

• Corinne McMahon: Special Education School Social Worker x.1270
• Taylor Walling: Social Emotional Learning Specialist x.2681
• Scott Pilate: School Psychologist x.2766

Myers-Wilkins - 218-336-8860

• Liz Baczkiewicz:  Social Emotional Learning Specialist x.2630 
• Hannah Stokes: MTSS SEB Coordinator & Special Education Social Worker x.2214

• Todd McGowan: Special Education Social Worker x.3094

• Breelynn Firschmann: Dean of Students x.2420

• Ann Feyen: School Psychologist x.2555

Lester Park - 218-336-8875

• Katherin Houglam: School Psychologist x. 3107
• Lindsey Bruce: Special Ed & General Ed School Social Worker x.2370

Congdon Park- 218-336-8825

• Corinne McMahon: Special Education Social Worker x.1270 
• Meghan Sperl: School Counselor x.3085
• Christa Feely: School Psychologist x.1135

Homecroft - 218-336-8865

• Maya Vukelich: Special Education Social Worker x.3272
• Douglas Trentor: School Psychologist x.2555

Lakewood - 218-336-8870

• Breanna Greenly: Special Education Social Worker x.3025
• Katherin Houglum: School Psychologist x.3107

Pre-K/Early Childhood - 218-336-8700

• Maria Shermoen: Early Childhood Social Worker x.2936
• Lindsey Bruce: Special Education School Social Worker x.2370

 

Secondary Schools:

Lincoln Park Middle School - 218-336-8880

• Nicole Steinsberger: Counselor (7th grade) x.3330
• Kim Flaa: Counselor (8th grade) x.3347
• Tory Rock: Counselor (6th grade) x.3348
• Robert Baxton: Special Education Social Worker x.3800
• Breanna Greenly: Special Education Social Worker x.3025
• Jennifer Fuchs: Social, Emotional, Behavioral MTSS Coordinator x.2251
• Lisa Wentworth: PAWS Program Coordinator (Alt to Suspension Counselor) x. 2167
• John Hirman: School Psychologist x.2561

Ordean East Middle School - 218-336-8940

• Sarah Seglum: School Counselor x.3327
• Ashley Kedrowski: School Counselor x.2222
• Tracy Litman: Special Education & General Education Social Worker x.4137
• Douglas Trentor: School Psychologist x.2555

Denfeld High School - 218-336-8830

• Shane Erickson: Special Education Social Worker x.2337
• Heather Jarvis: Social, Emotional, Behavioral MTSS Coordinator x.2375
• Liz Radosevich: Special Education Social Worker x.1346
• Jennifer Wellnitz: School Counselor (9th graders) x.2050
• Geri Saari: School Counselor (10th-12th graders w/ last names A-He) x.3336
• Leah Hamm-Digatono: School Counselor (10th-12th graders w/ last names Hi-Q) x.2264
• Jessica Anderson: School Counselor (10th-12th graders w/ last names R-Z) x.1923
• Rose Hilliker: School Psychologist, x.1265 (Grades 10-12 & students with setting III special education services)
• Michelle Cordle: School Psychologist x.3119 (Grade 9 & students with settings I & II special education services)

East High School - 218-336-8845

• Ron Lake: Special Education School Social Worker x.2014
• Jamie Savre: School Counselor (Last Name A-E) x.2154
• Jessica Forsman: School Counselor (Last Name F-La) x.2041
• Morgan Costley: School Counselor (Last Names Le-Re) x.1262
• Laura Horton: School Counselor (Last Name Rh-Z) x.1121
• Keri Persons: School Counselor (9th grade) x.1345
• Christa Feely: School Psychologist x.1135

ALC - 218-336-8756

• Breanna Greenly: Special Education School Social Worker x.3025
• Paula Williams: School Counselor x.1288
• Ann Feyen: School Psychologist x.2555

 

District Staff - 218-336-8700

• Callie DeVriendt: Mental Health/Social Emotional Behavioral Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Coordinator x.3359
• Jacob Laurent: Climate Coordinator x.2767
• Katie Danielson: Families in Transition Coordinator x.3345

Mental Health Partnerships - Therapy Services

Have you noticed your child struggling with their mental health? Are you feeling like your child could benefit from working with a therapist? 

If the answer is YES, here is some information for you to connect your child to therapy services.

• Northland Children's Mental Health Collaborative Website - Click here to find a list of children's mental health providers and services from around Duluth and the surrounding area. Search through a wide range of services and specialties that agencies/providers can provide.

Co-Located Mental Health Partners (provide therapy services in person at the school site):

• Northwood Children's Services:
  • Day Treatment Program - Day Treatment will continue to be provided at school sites during distance learning.  Currently day treatment services are taking place at Lincoln Park Middle School, Myers-Wilkins Elementary School, Piedmont Elementary School, and Laura MacArthur Elementary School.  For more information or to make a referral please contact the following people at the school location your child attends: 
    • For LPMS - Contact 218-336-8880 x.3343
    • For Myers-Wilkins - Contact Terry Koren at 218-336-8860 x.2497
    • For Piedmont - Contact Chelsea Lent at 218-336-8950 x.2815
    • For Laura MacArthur - Contact 218-728-7181
  • Outpatient Services - Northwood Outpatient Services is a co-located partner that provides therapy services across ISD 709 at Lowell Elementary, Piedmont Elementary, and Laura MacArthur Elementary.  For more information or to get connected to services please contact 218-728-7181.
• The Human Development Center - HDC is a co-located partner that provides therapy services across ISD 709 at Lincoln Park Middle School, Lester Park Elementary, Congdon Park Elementary, Lakewood Elementary, Homecroft Elementary, Stowe Elementary, and Myers-Wilkins Elementary.  For more information or to get connected to services please contact the intake department at 218-728-4491 or reach out to your School Social Worker or School Counselor to assist with making a referral.
• Fond du Lac School Linked Mental Health - Fond du Lac School Linked Mental Health is a co-located partner that provides therapeutic services to Native American students within the FDL service area.  For further information or to get connected to services please contact 218-878-3756.
• Arrowhead Psychological - Arrowhead Psychological is a co-located partner that provides therapy services across ISD 709 at both East High School and Ordean East Middle School.  For more information or to get connected to services please contact Arrowhead Psychological at 218-723-8153.
• Nystrom and Associates - Nystrom and Associates is a co-located partner that provides therapy services at Denfeld High School.  For more information or to get connected to services please contact Ashley Tuve at ATuve@nystromcounseling.com, or by phone at 218-940-4035, or request an appointment by filling the form out on this link: Nystrom & Associates Request an Appointment Form.
• Therapeutic Services Agency - The Therapeutic Services Agency (TSA) is a co-located partner that provides culturally affirmative mental health therapy to deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing children (birth to 22 years old) who are experiencing difficulties due to emotional and behavioral problems.  for more information or to make a referrals call 218-343-6196 or go online at https://www.hoperealized.com/programs-services/deaf-and-hard-of-hearing .

Insurance

Need health insurance? MNsure is an online marketplace for Minnesotans to enroll in health care coverage.  https://www.mnsure.org/

MNsure Navigators offer free, enrollment asistance in five locations across Duluth. They will help with the application process of applying for insurance and stay with you every step of the way until insurance is active.  See below for locations and contact information to get in touch with a MNsure Navigator.

Generations Health Care: 218-336-5709

WE Health Clinic: 218-727-3352

Lake Superior Community Health Clinic: 218-722-9650

Community Action Duluth: 218-726-1665

The YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center: 218-241-8008 x.527