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November 24, 2024

Centreville Spy

Nonpartisan and Education-based News for Centreville

Health Health Notes

For All Seasons Welcomes Mental Health Interns

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For All Seasons has recently welcomed three interns, Meghan E. McPherson, Brianna Mench, and Kevin Nugent, who come from various clinical settings to participate in its intern program. Undergraduate and graduate schools utilize For All Seasons for students who need clinical experiences in social work to meet the requirements of their programs. These hands-on experiences are preparing the next generation of social workers.

Intern Meghan E. McPherson is currently the Family Services Case Manager and Truancy Reduction Court Program Intern at the Maryland Judiciary in Cambridge and a Care Associate in health information management at PinnacleCare. She is pursuing her master’s degree in social work at George Mason University and is a graduate of Washington College in Chestertown.

Brianna Mench joined the For All Seasons Medical team as a Preceptor supervised by Kristen Gordy, RN, MSN, CRNP, Psych Nurse Practitioner. Brianna is working as a registered nurse with the Christiana Care Health System and is currently working towards becoming a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) while attending Walden University.

Kevin Nugent was a Psychiatric Rehabilitation Professional at Channel Marker in Cambridge before becoming a graduate student in the Counselor Education Program at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in Princess Anne. He completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology at St. Mary’s College of Maryland.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Tina Grace Jones Appointed Chief Financial Officer at For All Seasons

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Tina Grace Jones of Cordova has been appointed Chief Financial Officer at For All Seasons. Tina is a For All Seasons senior leadership team member responsible for financial planning and budgeting, accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, procurement, treasury services, and risk management. She also develops cost proposals and assures compliance with all grant requirements, and is responsible for human resources, payroll, and employee health and welfare programs.

Previously, she worked as Deputy Executive Director of FreeState Justice, Maryland’s LGBTQIA+ advocacy organization. There she led the Community Education and Empowerment division where she created a statewide Community Needs Assessment to capture lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ community members across Maryland, identified and implemented new programs serving Maryland’s queer community, and provided valuable input into the creation of FreeState’s updated strategic plan. Before this position she worked for eight years as Vice President for Administrative Services at Chesapeake College; for eight years as Senior Vice President and General Manager, Engineered Solutions at Sotera Defense Solutions; and for 15 years as Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at Delmarva Foundation for Medical Care.

Tina holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and an MBA from Virginia Tech and has completed coursework in Organizational Leadership at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. She has been and continues to be involved in many community organizations. Currently, she is the founder and facilitator of the Delmarva Gender Expression Movement, Secretary/Treasurer, co-founder and Inaugural Chair of Delmarva Pride Center, a board member of the Maryland LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce, FreeState Justice, and the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Easton.

“I’m excited to be part of For All Seasons. Life’s experiences have shown me how important mental health is to our overall well-being and happiness. My passion as a non-profit financial professional has always been to find innovative ways to reach as many people as we can with the resources we have. It’s wonderful that I am getting the opportunity to do that for MY community.”

For All Seasons provides the highest quality mental health and victim services to children, adults, and families across Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Services are offered in both English and Spanish and include therapy, psychiatry, victim advocacy, 24-hour crisis hotlines, outreach, and community education. For information about For All Seasons walk-in hours, contact For All Seasons at 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

September is No Matter What…You Matter Suicide Prevention Month

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The month of September is No Matter What…You Matter Suicide Prevention Month and For All Seasons urges all citizens to actively work toward the prevention of suicide and to reach out to one another and ASK – “Are you okay?” LISTEN – without judgment, and SHARE – vital resources to promote an inclusive and mentally healthy community.

In the U.S., suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 14 and 25 – 34. In Maryland, suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for 10 to 34-year-olds. In 2021, 1 in 5 Maryland Mid-Shore teens ages 14 to 17 attempted suicide at least once. These statistics are staggering, and these deaths are often preventable.

Checking in with someone could help save a life. If someone you know is showing signs of depression, withdrawal, or unusual behavior, take time to check-in. Reach out to your circle of friends and family. Be attentive to those whom you have concerns about, and connect them to resources. There are proven treatments to help those with suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Someone experiencing a crisis may not recognize that suicidal thoughts are often temporary, and with professional support, hope and healing are within their reach.

ASK “Are you OK? Are you having suicidal thoughts?” Be direct and compassionate. Research shows that asking this question will not put the idea into someone’s mind.

SHARE “You are not alone. Help is available.” Connect them to services. For All Seasons is just a phone call away.

LISTEN You don’t need to have all the answers. Be fully present without judgment. Allow the person to share their story.

Staying socially connected and having strong, supportive relationships can increase one’s sense of meaning and belonging and protect against suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Everyone needs connection, and the good news is there is more than one way to create bonds with others. The image below outlines the many people and places where connections can be found. How will you create connections for your own benefit and to support those in your circle?

Most importantly, if you need suicide prevention resources and a step-by-step conversation guide visit: NoMatterWhatYouMatter.org. For All Seasons’ 24-Hour Crisis Hotlines are English 410.820.5600 and Español 410.829.6143. English/Español Text is 410.829.6143. For the National Suicide & Crisis Hotline: Dial 988.

For All Seasons provides the highest quality mental health and victim services to children, adults, and families across Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Services are offered in both English and Spanish and include therapy, psychiatry, victim advocacy, 24-hour crisis hotlines, outreach, and community education. For information about For All Seasons walk-in hours, contact For All Seasons at 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

The Community Comes Together to Help Kids Start the School Year Right

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Approximately 1500 people attended For All Seasons 2023 Back-to-School Supplies Giveaway and Resource Expo in Idlewild Park in Easton where more than 650 backpacks filled with materials were distributed to local students.

For All Seasons 2023 Back-to-School Supplies Giveaway and Resource Expo was a great success. Approximately 1,500 people attended, and we distributed more than 650 backpacks filled with materials to local students. A large cadre of dedicated staff, student volunteers, and resource providers worked together to make this a memorable evening for local kids and families. The Talbot Department of Social Services made a generous contribution towards the backpacks.

“Going ‘back to school’ is something a community does; it is not one family; it is not one business or even one school. It is all of us together. People and families these days are hurting. They need these supplies. We make it so every kid, regardless of socioeconomic status, can start the school year on their best foot,” said Jonathan Qvarnstrom, Outreach and Marketing Associate at For All Seasons.

For All Seasons extends its best wishes to all the kids and schools in our vicinity, hoping for a safe, joyful, well-equipped, and spirited beginning to their academic year. The following organizations attended and provided resources to participants, including the Talbot County Health Department, Talbot County Department of Social Services, Mid Shore Behavioral Health, Inc., Talbot County Free Library, Talbot Hospice, Aetna Better Health, CarePacks, Eastpoint Church, Brookletts Place – Talbot Senior Center, Seedco Maryland, Dorchester County Health Department, University of Maryland Clark Comprehensive Breast Center, Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center, Chesapeake Voyagers, Inc., Mid-Shore Pro Bono, Easton Elementary School, Whoop Connect, SHORE UP! Inc., Choptank Community Health System, The Arc Central Chesapeake Region, Easton Economic Development Corporation, Cub Scout Pack 190 – Easton, MD, Maryland Department of Health Office of Oral Health, Grace Street Recovery Community, Appleseed Books, and Talbot Humane.

For All Seasons provides the highest quality mental health and victim services to children, adults, and families across Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Services are offered in both English and Spanish and include therapy, psychiatry, victim advocacy, 24-hour crisis hotlines, outreach, and community education. For information about For All Seasons walk-in hours, contact For All Seasons at 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

No Matter What . . . You Matter 2023 Campaign Kicks Off with Free Community Event

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For All Seasons is hosting a free community event, “We All Have a Role to Play in Suicide Prevention,” on September 7 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Avalon Theatre in Easton. The event is part of a powerful speaker series presentation led by suicide expert and leader within the Veterans Affairs’ National Suicide Prevention Program, Dr. Andrew Moon, and facilitated by For All Seasons President and CEO Beth Anne Dorman. Participants will strengthen their awareness around the topic of suicide prevention, and learn how to reduce suicide risks, leaving attendees with the hope, readiness, and strategies to make a difference in their community.

Dr. Moon will share his invaluable experience in averting crisis points before suicidality.  He is a clinical psychologist with a career focus on trauma, suicide prevention, and education, and is currently the Senior Advisor for Partnerships, Engagement, and Education for the Department of Defense Suicide Prevention Office. He will share insights into national, state, and local mental health data, specifically how suicide impacts specific groups, including veterans, first responders, LGBTQ+ populations, and youth. In addition, he will outline the pivotal role each one of us plays in suicide prevention, offering practical strategies for recognizing signs of struggle and responding effectively. Moon will share how to foster an environment of safety for those in your circle to prevent suicide and support those you care about.

September is No Matter What…You Matter Suicide Prevention Month

The month of September is No Matter What…You Matter Suicide Prevention Month and For All Seasons urges all citizens to actively work toward the prevention of suicide and to reach out to one another and ASK – “Are you okay?” LISTEN – without judgment, and SHARE – vital resources to promote an inclusive and mentally healthy community.

In the U.S., suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 14 and 25 – 34. In Maryland, suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for 10 to 34-year-olds. In 2021, 1 in 5 Maryland Mid-Shore teens ages 14 to 17 attempted suicide at least once. These statistics are staggering, and these deaths are often preventable.

Checking in with someone could help save a life. If someone you know is showing signs of depression, withdrawal, or unusual behavior, take time to check-in. Reach out to your circle of friends and family. Be attentive to those whom you have concerns about, and connect them to resources. There are proven treatments to help those with suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Someone experiencing a crisis may not recognize that suicidal thoughts are often temporary, and with professional support, hope and healing are within their reach.

ASK “Are you OK? Are you having suicidal thoughts?” Be direct and compassionate. Research shows that asking this question will not put the idea into someone’s mind.

SHARE “You are not alone. Help is available.” Connect them to services. For All Seasons is just a phone call away.

LISTEN You don’t need to have all the answers. Be fully present without judgment. Allow the person to share their story.

Most importantly, if you need suicide prevention resources and a step-by-step conversation guide visit: NoMatterWhatYouMatter.org. For All Seasons’ 24-Hour Crisis Hotlines are English 410.820.5600 and Español 410.829.6143. English/Español Text is 410.829.6143. For the National Suicide & Crisis Hotline: Dial 988.

For All Seasons provides the highest quality mental health and victim services to children, adults, and families across Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Services are offered in both English and Spanish and include therapy, psychiatry, victim advocacy, 24-hour crisis hotlines, outreach, and community education. For information about For All Seasons walk-in hours, contact For All Seasons at 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Susan Ahlstrom Hired as For All Seasons Human Trafficking Navigator

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For All Seasons is part of the Governor’s initiative, the Maryland Regional Navigator Program, serving human trafficking victims under the age of 24 in the Mid-Shore of Maryland. Although For All Seasons has been working with victims of human trafficking for years, this program connects its new Human Trafficking Navigator, Susan Ahlstrom, with experts across the state to better support human trafficking victims on the Mid-Shore.

Ahlstrom brings experience as a mental health and wellness counselor and is a Certified EFT/Tapping Practitioner, most recently working as the T.A.M.A.R. (Trauma, Addiction, Mental Health, and Recovery) Coordinator for female detainees at the Dorchester and Caroline County Detention Centers. She has over 25 years of experience working in nonprofit development, community building, education, and youth advocacy. She holds a Master of Science in Counseling from the University of Hartford and a Bachelor of Arts in English from William Smith College in New York.

“I hope to help mitigate the upward trend in Human Trafficking by expanding For All Seasons Rape Crisis Center’s outreach; and strengthening the medical, legal, social service, and mental health collaboration that has already been established to support survivors. I believe my counseling and education background, along with strong communication and networking skills will help facilitate the most effective trauma-informed response to serve victims and their families in the Mid-Shore region and beyond,” Ahlstrom comments.

Human trafficking involves using force, fraud, or threats to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act against a person’s will, often for little or no pay, or something of value such as food, shelter, clothes, or drugs. It is a crime whereby traffickers exploit and profit at the expense of adults or children. All persons under age 18 who exchange sex for something of value are human-trafficking victims regardless of the presence of force, lies, or threats. A child cannot legally consent to commercial sex.

The Eastern Shore is an attractive place for trafficking because of its geographic location in proximity to transportation routes by land, air, and sea that offer opportunities for human traffickers to go undetected. Major highways like I-95, Routes 40, 50, 301, and 13 all make transporting victims and meeting buyers easy. In addition, three major international airports, inexpensive bus transportation, train service, and a high rate of seasonal work, make Maryland attractive to human traffickers.

To learn about how to identify possible human trafficking victims, the industries where human trafficking most likely occurs, and ways to help, visit WeSupportSurvivors.org. If you would like more information or would like to request an anti-human trafficking presentation for your place of work or community, email Susan Ahlstrom at [email protected].

For All Seasons provides the highest quality mental health and victim services to children, adults, and families across Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Services are offered in both English and Spanish and include therapy, psychiatry, victim advocacy, 24-hour crisis hotlines, outreach, and community education. For information about For All Seasons walk-in hours, contact For All Seasons at 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

First Hoopers Island Migrant Resource Fair Draws Large Crowd

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On July 17, For All Seasons sponsored its first Hoopers Island Migrant Resource Fair at the Volunteer Fire House on Hoopers Island in Fishing Creek, Maryland. The event, which drew over 140 participants, was the dream of Ivy Garcia, Director of Latino Outreach and Education at For All Seasons.

“We have struggled with how to reach out to this very isolated community which has needs in its Latino community during the months between April and November when the migrant workers are here on work permits working in the crab-picking houses. COVID prohibited us from meeting in person, so we tried doing support groups via Zoom, but the workers’ schedules were not compatible and the Internet connections at the time in this area were poor,” comments Ivy Garcia, Director of Latino Outreach and Education at For All Seasons.

“I then contacted a Latina worker who had been working for 29 years at Old Salty’s Seafood on Hoopers Island. She asked if I could start visiting some of the workers there in person. So, on May 1 of this year, I started a support group on Hoopers Island for 17 women and also began meeting with individual women who have needs there.”

Garcia is serving as a bridge, connecting women to a variety of services, including mental health and rape crisis services at For All Seasons. She also provides education on self-esteem and helps women there become empowered and independent as some are in abusive relationships.

Because the crab-picking houses are very separate from each other in Dorchester County, Garcia decided she needed to do an event where she could reach all of the workers at one time to provide information on a variety of community services. She reached out to some employers on Hoopers Island, including GW Hall and Son, Russell Hall Seafood Inc., AE Phillips & Son, Inc, Lindy’s Seafood, and Old Salty’s Seafood to encourage their workers to attend. Some employers and individuals on Hoopers Island helped provide transportation for the workers so that they could participate.

Among the vendors at the Migrant Resource Fair were Mid-Shore Council on Family Violence, Dorchester County Health Department, Choptank Community Health, Mid Shore Behavioral Health, Inc., Maryland Food Bank, Aetna Better Health of Maryland, Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center, University of Maryland Clark Comprehensive Breast Center, The Salvation Army of the Mid-Shore, Harriett’s House, and Talbot Humane. Vendors provided important resources including information on how to access medical and dental care, mental health services, health insurance, food, and clothing.

“We had a great turnout with both men and women attending. This was the first time that an event of this kind for the migrant community had been held on Hoopers Island and I am grateful for the volunteers who helped make it a success, including Nicolasa Hipolito who is also involved in our Latino Support Group. We were thrilled to be a part of it and to see the positive response from those who attended,” Garcia comments.

“I hope that we created a connection with these individuals and made them aware of the services that exist for them in Dorchester County. They come here legally and have needs occur while they are here working that can be served by these agencies. Hopefully, we can do this every year because every year they bring different people to the island who will need to know this information.”

For further information on For All Seasons Latino Outreach efforts, contact Ivy Garcia at Ivy Garcia [email protected] or call 410-822-1018, ext. 207.

For All Seasons provides the highest quality mental health and victim services to children, adults, and families across Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Services are offered in both English and Spanish and include therapy, psychiatry, victim advocacy, 24-hour crisis hotlines, outreach, and community education. For information about For All Seasons walk-in hours, contact For All Seasons at 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

For All Seasons to Host Annual Back to School Resource Fair

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For All Seasons will host its annual School Supplies Giveaway and Resource Fair on Wednesday, August 16 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Idlewild Park in Easton. Talbot County Department of Social Services is a key partner, contributing to the purchase of hundreds of backpacks pre-stuffed with supplies for community children in need. In addition to the backpacks and school supplies, the event will offer community resources, free Italian ice, movie theater popcorn, snacks, schoolyard games, and a raffle. Last year’s event drew over 800 participants.

“Our School Supplies Giveaway and Resource Fair meets an important need in our community while also sharing important community resources with the public. It also provides our agency with an opportunity to share important mental health information at the start of the school year to help families navigate any mental health needs they may have,” states Katie Theeke, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at For All Seasons.

Among the vendors to date who will participate are Talbot County Department of Social Services, Mid Shore Behavioral Health, Inc., the Talbot County Free Library, Talbot Hospice, Aetna Better Health of Maryland, CarePacks of Talbot County, Eastpoint Church, Brookletts Place – Talbot County Senior Center, Seedco – MD Health Connection, Talbot County Health Department, Dorchester County Health Department, University of Maryland Clark Comprehensive Breast Center, Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center, Chesapeake Voyagers, Inc., Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, Mid-Shore Pro Bono, Easton Elementary School, and the Talbot County Department of Social Services.

For All Seasons provides the highest quality mental health and victim services to children, adults, and families across Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Services are offered in both English and Spanish and include therapy, psychiatry, victim advocacy, 24-hour crisis hotlines, outreach, and community education. For information about For All Seasons walk-in hours, contact For All Seasons at 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

For All Seasons Partners with Plein Air Easton to Address Mental Health at This Year’s Festival

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L-R: Beth Anne Dorman, President and CEO of For All Seasons, and Jessica Bellis, CFO and COO of the Avalon Foundation.

It always starts on the hottest day of the year. Plein Air Easton 2023, one of the most prestigious and largest Plein Air festivals in the U.S. today, welcomed fifty-eight artists to enter a grueling 10-day competition filled with challenging landscapes, climate, and stress. This year, the festival will add an additional benefit for artists, visitors, staff, and volunteers at this year’s events.  While the Avalon Foundation has always focused on the physical health of its participants in the heat of summer, this year, through a partnership with For All Seasons, the organization will focus on the stress of the competition and the importance of mental health and wellness.

“For 20 years, we have been providing our competing artists with all kinds of information, instruction, and access to medical professionals around heat and hydration and around Lyme disease and ticks. While we’ve been focused on their health, not once have we stopped and thought about their mental health,” comments Jessica Bellis, CFO and COO of the Avalon Foundation.

“Plein Air Easton is the like the Masters in golf. There is a lot of money and fame that is connected to your performance during the 10 days. We remove these artists from all of their support networks and systems and drop them in really harsh conditions. If we’re creating a situation that is going to be high stress, then it should be our responsibility to provide additional supports. And you know, this is how we both eliminate the stigma associated with a mental health crisis.”

For All Seasons, the region’s behavioral health and rape crisis center, and the Avalon have partnered a lot over the last 18 months for several events providing educational programming for the community on a variety of mental health topics, from anxiety and emotional burnout to suicide prevention.

“This partnership with the Avalon Foundation is the way that grassroots community outreach should be working. We aren’t just presenting these programs to the community, we are presenting these programs to the Avalon staff, so they by nature are also getting the mental wellness messages.  Having us present programming about how mental health affects us all gave them an opportunity to think about the mental health component in this huge Plein Air ‘Olympics’ so to speak,” comments Beth Anne Dorman, President and CEO of For All Seasons.

“We’ve had a lot of conversations about better self-care practices, how can we reset our organizational culture to think about mental health more. And as we started kind of getting ready for Plein Air Easton, we were talking about different educational content that we have provided,” adds Bellis.

“We started looking back on Plein Air Easton and we have had people drop out of the competition midway from stress. We’ve had artists give up their positions because they are having a high-stress time in their lives. We have lost artists to drug addiction, suicide, and major health issues. We have had people who participated in our competition while undergoing cancer treatments. And we’re not talking about mental health. Shame on us. People don’t talk about it and we’ve got to change that.”

In addition to the mental health messages presented by Beth Anne Dorman, President and CEO of For All Seasons, during the Plein Air Easton orientation for artists, For All Seasons will offer artists, staff, volunteers, and visitors a variety of tools to help with the stress of the festival. Free materials will include a fan and a handout on box breathing, a technique useful to help calm anxiety and nervousness. There will also be short online videos in English and Spanish available on the web page

https://bit.ly/FASMentalHealthMinute, featuring For All Seasons Mental Health Minutes and other relaxation techniques.

For All Seasons will also offer Open Access walk-in crisis appointments both in person in Easton and through telehealth during the festival – a service they have been phasing in for the public over the last nine months. For All Seasons staff will be ready to assist any artist who needs to be seen during the festival.

At its Tilghman Island site, For All Seasons staff is also providing wellness resources and cookies and lemonade for any artist, staff, volunteer, or visitor who wants to stop by. Jane Gordon, one of the For All Seasons’ art therapists, will be at Plein Air Easton’s Kid’s Corner with her coloring book, “Color Me Closer,” designed for people to color in pairs. This coloring book, produced and funded by For All Seasons, is a resource for supporting children who have experienced trauma, or for anyone who wants to improve relationships or just relax and have fun together. After the fact, the Avalon Foundation is going to do a recap podcast with Dorman and another one of the For All Seasons art therapists to continue the dialogue on mental health.

“By providing this support, we are saying, ‘We see you. We are here for you. And the organization that is hosting you, the Avalon Foundation, thinks that your mental health is as important as the beautiful work that you’re creating,’” explains Dorman.

“The other thing that’s important in terms of this partnership is that we have a real opportunity for every single person who visits the Plein Air Festival to share the importance of mental health in a much different way. And the fact that the Avalon Foundation and For All Seasons can work together to create that path is very exciting.”

For All Seasons started reaching out to its community in a whole different way before COVID but offered more outreach during COVID. The organization is continuing to ensure that mental health is intersecting with the region’s business and nonprofit professionals, making sure that people have access to and an understanding of how mental health truly does affect us all.

“We have created a conversation acknowledging it’s okay if you’re struggling, and you don’t always have to have the answers for someone who is struggling. We recognized as an agency eight or nine years ago that being a mental health agency isn’t always about people coming to us and that the only way that we can truly blanket our community with mental health services and mental wellness is to go to our community and serve them,” Dorman adds.

“We’ve created an outreach and event programming that says For All Seasons is your community behavioral health and rape crisis center. This is a perfect example of how partnerships can be formed in a grassroots way because we’re both thinking outside of the box, and both saying how can we make this community healthier and make it a safe space for everyone to talk about mental health and mental wellness. We do it better together.”

“We have a real desire to begin to weave the mental health conversation into everything that the Avalon does. This is a micro example of what I hope to be a much larger partnership with For All Seasons. There are so many occasions when any business needs additional help dealing with mental health crises. With For All Seasons, our shared desire is to incorporate mental health support in all of the Avalon Foundation programming, whether it’s messaging in the Green Room or making sure that we are working on reducing stigma and providing access to everyone who uses our facilities. We serve a lot of children and a lot of community members, and we need more help,” adds Bellis.

For All Seasons provides the highest quality mental health and victim services to children, adults, and families across Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Services are offered in both English and Spanish and include therapy, psychiatry, victim advocacy, 24-hour crisis hotlines, outreach, and community education. For information about For All Seasons walk-in hours, contact For All Seasons at 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.

Founded in 1994, the Avalon Foundation is a 501 (c)3 charitable organization that began as a community theatre and has grown into the largest arts organization on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.   The Foundation’s mission is to Inspire, enrich, and connect diverse audiences through arts, educational, and cultural experiences inside the historic Avalon Theatre and throughout Maryland’s Eastern Shore.  Plein Air Easton is the largest and most prestigious juried plein air painting competition in the United States.  It is a project of the Avalon Foundation, Inc. and is held in Easton, Maryland each July. 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

For All Seasons’ Center for Learning Prepares Easton Elementary School Students for Mental Health Safety

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For All Seasons’ Center for Learning recently sponsored outreach at Easton Elementary School in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month. Staff provided teachers at the school with engaging classroom activities, developed for grades one through five, focused on “Being Kind to Your Mind” – helping students learn how to care for their mental health, as well as how to make smart choices online and reduce online stress.

According to Lauren Weber, Vice President for Philanthropy and Education at For All Seasons, there are several important reasons why the Center is sharing these lessons with local schools. She comments, “The out-of-school summer months can be a fun and relaxing time for many children and their families. For many children, though, summertime means less structure and fewer social interactions in-person with peers, which can lead to a feeling of disconnection. We also know kids tend to spend more time on various screens and devices and want to encourage responsible use of gaming, social media, and the Internet – to help reduce the stress that we know excessive hours online causes kids. Their mental health is often affected in the summer by these factors and more.”

Easton Elementary School students wearing “Be Kind to Your Mind” bracelets.

In addition, For All Seasons is part of the Maryland Regional Navigator Program, providing support to human trafficking survivors and their families, as well as community outreach and awareness. Weber adds, “Our program has us looking more carefully at risk factors for kids when it comes to trafficking. Online predators are skilled at hiding their identities. We know that kids often share personal photos and private information and/or connect with people they do not know, so we want to start at the ground level helping parents and kids make smart choices online and enjoy their time online safely.”

For All Seasons, as well as local law enforcement, are continuing to see local cases of adolescents who are sharing personal information online and meeting up with child predators.

Among the activities shared with Easton Elementary School students, included a lesson and an interactive activity for grades one through three which focused on “Be Kind to Your Mind,” aimed at helping students learn the basics of mental health and identify which trusted adults in their lives they can turn to for help. For All Seasons also provided two activities for online safety – one activity for students in the first through third grades and one activity for students in the fourth through fifth grades. Both lessons were age-appropriate and taught the importance of safely engaging with others online, considering what information is public versus private, and reinforcing the importance of only communicating with others they already know in real life. Each lesson also emphasized the role of turning to trusted adults for guidance and support when young people feel confused or anxious. Lesson materials were provided to both teachers and students. A bi-lingual (English/Spanish) letter was also sent to parents so that they could extend the learning at home.

“The partnership between Easton Elementary School and For All Seasons helps fill a critical need for mental health support for our students and families. For All Seasons’ commitment to understanding the needs of the community is instrumental in creating a safe space for our families.  The bracelets are a great physical reminder for students to help use the tools they learn daily at school to help them with their self-regulation.  The bracelet’s message ‘Be Kind to Your Mind’ helps normalize the importance for students to take care of their mental health in a fun, age-appropriate way,” states Katie Fox, Community School Program Manager, Easton Elementary School.

Students also participated in For All Seasons “Spread Joy Confetti Challenge” – a fun outdoor challenge to kick off the mental health awareness activities.

“We know that acts of silliness boost our mental health. And the ‘Confetti Challenge’ serves as a visual reminder to have fun and spread joy. After gathering outdoors at the school, our staff provided confetti for the students and teachers. On the count of three, everyone threw their handfuls of confetti up in the air and committed to taking care of their mental health and spreading joy this summer,” Weber explains.

Easton Elementary School students throwing confetti during For All Seasons “Spread Joy Confetti Challenge”

For All Seasons offered the “Confetti Challenge” to teachers and students across the Mid-Shore. In addition, this year, For All Seasons provided wristbands for everyone at Easton Elementary School with the words “Be Kind to Your Mind” that were distributed after the lessons as a reminder for students to take care of their mental health this summer and beyond.

For further information about For All Seasons Center for Learning and its educational programs, contact Lauren Weber, Vice President for Philanthropy and Education at For All Seasons at [email protected] or call 410-822-1018 or visit forallseasonsinc.org.

For All Seasons provides the highest quality mental health and victim services to children, adults, and families across Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Services are offered in both English and Spanish and include therapy, psychiatry, victim advocacy, 24-hour crisis hotlines, outreach, and community education. For further information, contact For All Seasons at 410-822-1018 or visit forallseasonsinc.org.

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