web1_TTL032116womens.club_.jpg

The Wyoming Valley Woman’s Club entertained at monthly luncheon

WB-City-logo.png

Wilkes-Barre to take part in Great American Cleanup of PA

<p>KINGSTON &#8212; A Youth Mental Health First Aid course at the Luzerne Intermediate Unit on Monday had nothing to do with Band-Aids or bandages of any kind.</p><p>Instead, participants, including teachers, coaches, leaders of faith communities and social workers were equipped to respond to mental health emergencies among youngsters ages 12 through 18, equally as necessary.</p><p>The event was co-sponsored by the LIU and the National Alliance on Mental Health.</p><p>The course emphasized the importance of starting a dialogue with young people, being aware of changes in behavior and being willing to intervene, if necessary.</p><p>Jerry Renfer, a health and physical education teacher at Wyoming Area Catholic School, said the program provided information about supporting students in a school environment.</p><p>&#8220;Even if kids have some sort of diagnosis,&#8221; he said, &#8220;they need to realize that it&#8217;s not the end of the world.&#8221;</p><p>Terry Johnson, a case manager at a local social service agency, said the event provided an opportunity to review material that would be helpful in a crisis.</p><p>&#8220;I learned that it&#8217;s really important to listen,&#8221; he said, &#8220;to watch for clues and then to respond quickly.&#8221;</p><p>Johnson gave the example of a young person who always goes to basketball practice.</p><p>&#8220;If they stop going,&#8221; he said, &#8220;that&#8217;s a red flag.&#8221;</p><p>Behavioral Health Services Director Jennifer Runquist said the event embodied the cooperative spirit in which the intermediate unit serves the community.</p><p>Both Magen Harleman, NAMI director for Luzerne and Wyoming Counties, and Racha Gregory, clinical case manager at the LIU, walked over two dozen participants through realistic scenarios, asking for their response.</p><p>&#8220;Is this a crisis?&#8221; asked Harleman, after describing a young person who had lost interest in doing daily activities, changed sleep patterns and stopped communicating with adults.</p><p>&#8220;It seems like it&#8217;s heading toward one,&#8221; said an attendee.</p><p>Harleman then outlined several options that might be appropriate, including gathering more information through dialogue with the young person, setting up an appointment for therapy or taking him or her to a crisis unit.</p><p>Presenters also addressed issues such as locating funding for resources and networking.</p><p>Runquist said because many area agencies were represented, including Luzerne County Children &amp; Youth, Luzerne County Juvenile Probation and personnel from a variety of school districts, the event also provided an opportunity to get an overview of resources available throughout the community.</p><p>&#8220;It&#8217;s important to provide quality services and to know where to send youngsters to get additional services,&#8221; she said. &#8220;It&#8217;s a team effort, a cohesive provision of services.&#8221;</p><p>Runquist emphasized the importance of those having daily contact with young people to be trained to respond to crisis or potential crisis.</p><p>&#8220;These are our front-line people,&#8221; she said. &#8220;They need to have an understanding of resources available.&#8221;</p><p>Presenters reminded attendees that often the most valuable tool in the mental health first aid kit is them.</p><style>
.neFileBlock {
	margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
	margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
	border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
	padding-bottom: 5px;
	padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
	font-size: 85%;
}
</style>
<div class='neFileBlock'>
<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_TTL032216MentalHealthLIU1-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Magen Harleman discusses suicide at a &#8216;Mental Health First Aid for Children&#8217; seminar at the Luzerne Intermediate Unit Monday. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_TTL032216MentalHealthLIU1-1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Magen Harleman discusses suicide at a &#8216;Mental Health First Aid for Children&#8217; seminar at the Luzerne Intermediate Unit Monday. </caption0><photoCredit0>Aimee Dilger | Times Leader </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_TTL032216MentalHealthLIU2-1-.tone_.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Debby Paciotti, left, Charlotte Myers and Lisa Jacques role play a scenario of a child in need at a seminar to detect and help children with mental health issues. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_TTL032216MentalHealthLIU2-1-.tone_.jpg</photo1><caption1>Debby Paciotti, left, Charlotte Myers and Lisa Jacques role play a scenario of a child in need at a seminar to detect and help children with mental health issues. </caption1><photoCredit1>Aimee Dilger | Times Leader </photoCredit1></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Geri Gibbons</p><p>ggibbons@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Geri Gibbons at 570-991-6117 or on Twitter @TLGGibbons.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Mental Health First Aid event at the Luzerne Intermediate Unit provides options for children in crisis