www.nytimes.com/2021/02/08/parenting/improv-comedy-kids.html
You’re the star of your own show. Improv is about speaking truth in the moment, that’s funny.
Equity and Shared Vision
Normalize racial dialogue. Lead with empathy. Be healthy so we can respond authentically. Growth happens outside of comfort zones.
James Wogan, LCSW, featured speaker (main stage), ACSA Symposium Conference 2021.
Educational leadership. Association California School Administrators (ACSA).
Greetings from Stinson Beach
Sometimes nature, sometimes music 🎶, sometimes with friends, sometimes alone.
‘I’ve Given Up’: Parenting in Quarantine
This article came out a while back in NYT. Shout out to Rachel L. Harris and Lisa Tarchak with New York Times for putting this together. I hope it brings kids and parents validation that you’re not alone. Kimōchi wa kimōchi.
School Based Mental Health (SBMH) Guidebook
www.dropbox.com/s/yf375ywj6rf0ieb/School Based Mental Health Guide Book SBMH.pdf
Recently released School Based Mental Health (SBMH) Guidebook. Authors across disciplines (School Social Work, School Psychology, and School Counseling PPSC) collaborated to develop this manual.
“Stop asking, “Why the addiction, start asking, “Why the pain?”
https://www.psychotherapynetworker.org/blog/details/1271/the-addict-in-all-of-us
Check out this interview with Gabor Maté, MD, Canadian Doctor and Addiction Specialist.
I recently helped a father to get sober after years of addiction to opioids and alcohol. He said “it feels SO GOOD to get honest…. um, kinda sorted, well mostly honest, well okay there is some stuff I left out because I’m too ashamed to talk about it.” We all need someone on our side, especially if we need to get honest with ourselves before we get honest with others.
It’s bad ass when clients see articles like this in my waiting room, or online, then come in to therapy appointments ready to face their pain, learn, and change patterns of thinking and behaving.
You might have heard that we “can’t save our ass and save our face at the same time,” (thank you NA), but that sure the hell doesn’t stop brilliant addict brains 🧠 from trying.
We learn the most from the people we serve. Mostly from teenagers, I’ve that we can’t criticize ourselves into positive and lasting change. We can’t criticize ourselves out of criticizing ourselves. The trap of negativity creates the illusion of growth and change.
When I was a younger therapist, I would say things like, “Don’t beat yourself up…give yourself a break….”. Now that I’m a little more um seasoned, I say things like, “You can go ahead and beat yourself up, I can’t stop you, just not all day.”’
In therapy (along with concurrent programs like AA and NA), many clients reduce the negative thinking that comes with addiction by 50% and then, when the time is right, we walk through that fire 🔥 together.
It’s possible. You’re not alone.
The science of music 🎶 mental health
🧠 Expert musicologist and friend Michael Emeneu (Montreal, Canada) breaks down the benefits of learning music by ear. Click link above to see concise article on Medium.
Successful Federal Grant Application – SEL, PBIS, Elementary Counseling & School Social Work (US Dept. of Education).
This successful grant application to the US Department of Education combined structured play during recess with school-based counseling and school social work services to strengthen social, emotional, and behavioral health wellness. Inclusion and school climate skyrocketed, attendance increased, and rates of discipline declined.
James Wogan, LCSW was the lead author and project coordinator for this successful SEL program.
Based on data, PBIS was applied through an equity lens to serve historically underserved communities. The district hired 3.0 FTE” “Social Work Specialists” and expanded support for MTSS Tier 2 and Tier 3 students. Parents from diverse backgrounds strengthen their connection with school.
Staff members straddled the school day and worked in the after school program as well, therefore were present when parents picked up their children.
Example for others to build upon.
We met or exceeded target goals and outcome measures.
www2.ed.gov/programs/elseccounseling/fy15awards/2015-215e-0516.pdf
James Wogan, LCSW
Youth | Crisis Support Services of Alameda County
Youth | Crisis Support Services of Alameda County
— Read on www.crisissupport.org/resources/suicide-prevention/youth/
Suicide Prevention in Alameda County. You’re not alone. Maybe it’s hard to imagine things getting better, but they can, and they will. Reach out. People you don’t even know will be there for you.
Providing outreach and support to districts, schools, parents and high risk youth populations – Los Angeles County Youth Suicide Prevention Project
Providing outreach and support to districts, schools, parents and high risk youth populations – Los Angeles County Youth Suicide Prevention Project
— Read on preventsuicide.lacoe.edu/
Suicide Spike Alert: children and teenagers are attempting and dying by suicide at younger ages, and far more often.
Children and teens, especially young girls, are attempting and thinking about suicide far more often than they were a decade ago.
See article in TIME MAGAZINE:
time.com/5279029/suicide-rates-rising-study/
Reach Out. Ask.
Connect that Friend or Family Member with Support.
You’re not alone.
Tel #: :1-800-273-8255
24/7 365:
1.800.273.8255
Online Chat: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/
Diving Grandma
Click here to see Diving Grandma doing backflip. Retired school principal dives and does flips in Berkeley, CA. Mary is 79! 
Mental Health at Work
Mental Health at Work is important for all of us. Shout out to Prince William, link below.
www.prevention.com/health/mental-health/a23104961/prince-william-mental-health-at-work/
Staff Wellness Program operates out of the Wellness Center.
Positive work environment, appreciation, climate, diversity, breaks & celebration, culture, equity, gender respect, shared vision, meeting in circles, Wellness Center, “work friends” with inclusiveness.
“Package of 5 Wellness Model”
We avoid the simple solutions. We try not to say “If we could just…” because that reinforces a consumer mentality. What’s your Fave 5 when it comes to mental health and work wellness? Five (5) things, when combined together, make a big difference in our own health and wellness.
Oh yeah.
How Writing Can Help You Cut Your Math Anxiety by 50%
Self reflection can be a magical tool. Writing a memoir about one’s journey with math has been shown to lower anxiety. See link to article.
The next step is to combine writing reflections with other supports. Peer-to-Peer cohort group experiences, for example, help to validate and normalize common childhood experiences. “Oh you too” moments help to increase emotional wellness, and social connections around shared experiences. Facilitated dialogue, reflection, and supporting others increases behavioral health.
Writing about math can be especially helpful for girls, young women who often decide by 7th grade if they are “smart” or not, using math as a measure.
Hats off to teachers of math who inspire, scaffold, and support the learning of each student. It’s a small distinction, through the lens of equity, “each student” vs. “all students.”
Behavioral health vs mental illness. “Packages of support.” Let’s work on child and adolescent wellness together.
