Struggling parents will get free counseling through a 24-hour hotline.
This year has been mentally exhausting for everyone, especially for parents who are juggling work, managing kids, running errands relentlessly. With fall approaching, many schools have reopened with completely virtual learning sessions. To ease the stress of virtual learning, the nation's capital has decided to expand its mental health services for everyone, including parents.
On Wednesday, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser's administration announced that licensed social workers, mental health professionals, and psychologists will be offering help to stressed parents. If required, parents will be guided to school-based counselors and clinicians. A 24-hour hotline is available throughout the city where stressed parents can call to receive free counseling and other mental health services.
The D.C. Department of Behavioral Health is providing these services, which will be confidential. There will also be grief and trauma counseling through certified, community-based bilingual clinicians. Parents will be eligible to have three follow-up sessions.
To choose a mental health provider, residents can always call the ACCESS Helpline at 1-888-793-4357 and talk to an expert according to the needs.
“This effort is focused on promoting mental wellness for the whole family as they deal with the day-to-day stressors that we are all feeling related to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Barbara Bazron, the Head of the Department of Behavioral Health, at a press conference.
On September 2, the city will initiate its first Wellness Wednesday program to offer interactive online parent support. It will run from 5.30 to 6.30 p.m. The first topic of discussion will be self care for parents.
On Wednesday, D.C. Health Director LaQuandra Nesbitt also addressed the issue of decreasing rate of childhood vaccination this year.
“This year, because of the impact of COVID-19 on our health care system, and accessing well-child visits, we have experienced an unprecedented decrease in childhood immunization rates, in particular amongst the school-age population,” said Nesbitt.
She emphasized the importance of covering all childhood immunizations, especially measles and mumps, even though schools reopen remotely. As of May, the city has seen a drop in measles vaccination percentage; it is below the recommended 95 percent across several schools. Addressing the same, Bowser also asked "families to stay on track with their vaccinations."
See the press conference below:
Families can book an appointment for health care and immunization with their local school-based health centers.
DC families can seek care, including vaccinations, at the following school-based health centers, says the director. the city is also rolling out a mental-health hotline for parents dealing with high stress pic.twitter.com/ekHhL4wmyv
— Andrew Giambrone (@AndrewGiambrone) August 26, 2020
What do you think of the District's decision? Will it be beneficial for parents? Leave us a comment!
