How to help your child who is experiencing suicidal thoughts

First let me just say, however you responded in the moment is okay. 
If you overreacted in some way, responded with anger, or punishment I understand. 
Don't be afraid to apologize when you have done something from an emotional state, that you later regret. 
Parents are human too. 

If your child comes to you, or if you find out from another concerned adult such as a School Social Worker or School Counselor, that your child has expressed suicidal ideation, what can you do? 

• Listen- let your child talk to you about how they feel
• Believe- don't assume that your child is attention-seeking 
• Support- avoid punishment and ask how you can support them
• Inform- tell your child what you will do, such as locating a therapist or exploring hospitalization
• Breathe- it can be easy to react without thinking, breathe first
• Acknowledge- how are you feeling after learning what you have? Take the time to really acknowledge these feelings so that your words are not causing harm. 
• Be Kind- do not seek to blame yourself for this or assume others are judging you

In my years of working with children and their parents, I have often been the person to contact parents and inform them of their child's suicidal thoughts or actions. The responses have ranged from disbelief, anger, dismissiveness, and sadness. Often times parents want to know why their child is sad, depressed, anxious, and/ or suicidal. Occasionally parents will insist that their child tell them why they are upset, and if a reason cannot be identified the parent draws the conclusion, that the child must be wrong. I.e. "You have nothing to be sad about". Unfortunately, depression and other mental health conditions do not always have an identifiable cause. Or the person may be unable to put their feelings and thoughts into words. This does not make their feelings any less real. 

Do know that how you respond can have a big impact on your child. Your actions can lead to your child feeling supported and loved or disbelieved and burdensome. Don't be afraid to seek the help of others such as mental health professionals and medical professionals. Know that your child's mental health needs are not a sign of you "failing" as a parent. 

National Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-8255

*Note this is not a diagnostic tool or replacement for mental health treatment. 

Getting what you didn't know you needed

 Last Saturday I received an email from a future participant asking for the link for my Dancing MIndfulness practice later that day. Somehow I had completely missed her registration. I had a list of things to accomplish that day and facilitating Dancing Mindfulness was not one of them. But because I believe in what I do, I did what needed to be done to make it happen. 

The happy by-product of this was that I ended up receiving a really lovely healing experience for myself and facilitating one for the participant. Isn't it wonderful how that happens at times? A seemingly unfortunate, slightly annoying, or even an oops moment turns out to be just what you needed. Even if you didn't know you needed it. 

Now I won't say "everything happens for a reason" because I don't believe in toxic positivity. But I will say that sometimes life surprises you and what initially seemed annoying turns out to be the highlight of your day. So now I look forward to things not going to plan. Last Saturday, I meditated with someone an ocean away, received the release I needed, and rested instead of accomplished. I have no regrets. 

SB

Participant testimonials- Update

 Feedback is such a helpful part along the path to improvement. 

Below you will see some of the feedback I have received from my Dancing Mindfulness Practices. 

I love to hear that I have been a part of healing for someone. 

Especially those that have a complicated history with movement. 

As a reminder Dancing Mindfulness is Trauma informed and adaptable to differing levels of ability. 

Music selection is unique to each class, and a major part of the planning as well as setting the tone mentally and physically. 

Pain relief is such a good result.

 *Dancing Mindfulness is not a replacement for medical treatment of any kind*

When you attend a class with me, please make sure to provide feedback for improvement. 

It is also great to hear when you are doing something well. 

Do you ask for feedback in your personal and professional life?

Wellspring: April Dancing Mindfulness

 
April Dancing Mindfulness 

This month our class theme is:

• Wellspring

well·​spring 
: a source of continual supply

We will explore what our own wellspring is and how to feed it. 

In the poem below the author explores the renewable resource within us all. 

Wellspring

To the wellspring

I ask, 

"Where are you?"

As I pour out my last drops,

My last ounce willingly

To those who have forgotten the taste of water.

As I drain myself

Of all I have to share,

Now, I too join in the thirst.

To the wellspring

I ask,

"Where are you?"

Does this resonate with you?

We will focus on refilling out proverbial cup. 

Purchase your tickets here .

Click here for more information on Dancing Mindfulness

Jonathan. "Wellspring". 2020, Hello Poem, https://hellopoetry.com/poem/4054759/wellspring/ . April 7, 2021

Social Workers are Essential

 March is Social Work Month and this year's theme is "Social Workers Are Essential". 

This past year has been a once in a life time experience. It has shown the importance of taking care of our mental health and the impact that physical distancing, racial unrest and basic needs have on our mental health. 

From changes in how we interact with other people, how we shop, what we wear to the fear of contracting an illness we don't fully understand, we have all be under a tremendous amount of stress/ trauma. When students returned to school and adults returned to work it was not the same as the schools and work environments we left. Many of us miss normalcy and being able to be affectionate with those we care about. 

When the winter storms hit Texas and Oklahoma many were without power, internet, and water. Not only were there deaths and physical discomfort but we also lost our remaining mode of connection and communication, even if for a short period of time. Many experienced a need that they were not familiar with. Others experienced an exacerbation of already difficult financial times. 

As a social worker/mental health professional the one thing that has been prominent during these unprecedented times is the increase asks from the community. The public became aware of the amazing work that teachers do and how integral nurse, doctors and other medical professionals are in the past year. One group that has often been left out of this conversation is social workers. In our work locations many of us are being asked to take on additional duties or tasks because it is such a hard time for all. We did not receive additional time in the day or additional time to handle our own responses to these unprecedented times. 

We know that rates of abuse/neglect have increased as families spend more time at home without the ability to leave (1). We also know that more people are in need of mental health support (2). Many are without work, working less hours and having other financial crises (3). All of these things fall to a social worker or social services agency to handle. 

This Social Work Month, how can you support the essential work that social workers do? How can you lift the burden for a social worker in your life? 

1. Intimate Partner Violence and Child Abuse Considerations During COVID-19

  https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/social-distancing-domestic-violence.pdf 

2. The coronavirus (COVID‐19) pandemic's impact on mental health  

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7361582/

3. Unemployment Rates During the COVID-19 Pandemic: In Brief

 https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R46554.pdf

Join my bi-monthly Dancing Mindfulness class

 The full calendar of upcoming Dancing Mindfulness classes now available on Eventbrite. Link to register for class

Dancing Mindfulness with Stacia will be held on the third Thursday of the month at 8 PM and the third Saturday of the month at 1 PM. Upcoming dates: 

• 
  March 18th
• March 20th
• April 15th 
• April 17th
• May 16th
• May 21st
• June 17th
• June 20th
• July 15th
• July 18th
• August 15th
• August 19th
• September 16th
• September 18th
• October 17th
• October 21st
• November 18th
• November 21st
• December 16th
• December 18th

In Dancing Mindfulness, participants use dance to achieve mindfulness. The act of noticing without judging how we move, feel and think is integral to the practice. During a dancing mindfulness class or individual session participants are not taught to dance or required to achieve any specific level of dance. Dancing Mindfulness is trauma informed and adaptable to different ability levels. You are accepted as you are and encouraged to do what you feel. The facilitator will make suggestions during the class, but they are just that suggestive. 

If you have questions about an upcoming class or would like to book me for a special event/one on one session please reach out at staciabarrett.therapy@gmail.com

December's Dancing Mindfulness Offering

Following the momentum that was created during Black Healing October, I made the decision to offer a monthly virtual Dancing Mindfulness Practice. During Black Healing October I was able to witness the connection that was possible even through a computer. It gave me hope for future sessions with a new group of people. 

This month our goal is to cultivate joy in our lives with our practice. 

    Joy noun,  "a feeling of great pleasure and happiness"

Join in December 19th at 2:00 PM for a joyful practice. The practice will be 30-40 minutes in length. 

Purchase your tickets here

Reminder on Dancing Mindfulness: Dancing Mindfulness is a movement based approach that doesn't ask you to be a "dancer" but to allow your body to be moved by the sounds you hear. No dance experience is required, one of our goals is not to judge our or others movement and I have been told it is a fun experience. Some of the benefits are: healing, relaxation, connection, and novelty. Please contact me with questions and be brave in exploring something new. Dancing Mindfulness is a Trauma Informed practice, feel free to let me know how I can support you during the practice.