Information and Resources on Different Topics Affecting Students.

Teen Health 101

• Youth led, non-profit organization that educates youth/teens about health, wellness & fitness, via website, articles, social media, podcasts, videos, digital magazines and webinars.

Self-Compassion

• Learning to Be Kind to Yourself

Stress vs Worry vs Anxiety

• Explanations and Strategies for All Three

Children and Perfectionism

• How to help children manage the thoughts that drive perfectionism.

Anxiety in Teens

• How to help a teenager deal with anxiety.

Advice for Parents in the Age of Social Media

• The Silent Tragedy affecting today's children and what to do with it.  

Underage Drinking: Realistic Ways to Talk About Alcohol with Teens

• 5 Ways to Talk About it Realistically 

NJ Parent Link

• The Early Childhood, Parenting and Professional Resource Center

Library Resources to Support LGBTQIA+ Educators and Students

• A comprehensive list of resources, organized by format

Rutgers Behavioral Health offers a school-based therapeutic program that offer psycho-education, skill-building, and therapy in a non-stigmatizing school environment.

If you have any questions on how to get linked with Rutgers Behavioral Health, please see a School Counselor,

Student Assistance Counselor or Case Manager.

WHRHS partners with Rutgers Behavioral Health to provide a school-based therapeutic program to students and families. The program, delivered by licensed clinicians, provides social and emotional support, skill-building, and therapy in a non-stigmatizing school environment. During 2021-2022, Rutgers Behavioral Health will also provide for parent engagement events in collaboration with the district's SEL initiatives.

Freshman Transition Group

This 4-week psycho-educational group discusses social and academic stressors specific to high schoolers and what comes with transitioning from middle to high school. This group will help you learn ways to navigate through these new challenges and help create social connections before the start of the new year. 

Community & Virtual Events

988 Days of Visibility
Thursday, June 16
With its #ReimagineCrisis campaign partners, NAMI is planning a “988 Day of Visibility," to mark 30-days-out from nationwide availability of 988. On this Day of Visibility, we will raise awareness of what a mental health crisis response could be – and how we get there. NAMI members across the nation are called on to participate in the Virtual Rally on June 16 as part of NAMICon 2022. More details will follow – save the date!

Family Pride Night
Tuesday, June 28
6pm-9pm on Division Street in Somerville, NJ
Come join us for our second annual celebration of pride in downtown Somerville, and will include discounts and specials throughout the district, as well as other activities throughout Division St. 

Let's Ketchup: Day of Pride BBQ Celebration
Tuesday, June 28
6pm-7:30pm at the Bridgewater YMCA (601 Garretson Road)
FREE burgers, hotdogs and other favorites in celebration of your LGBTQ+ neighbors. Also in attendance will be the Babs Siperstein Proud Center. Save room for popcorn as we conclude the night with Disney’s Luca at 7:30 p.m. For information about this flippen good time, contact Eddie Norgard at enorgard@gscymca.org

February: Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
Teen dating violence, also known as intimate partner violence or intimate relationship violence, is a serious problem in the U.S., affecting approximately 10% of all teenagers between the age of 12 to 18 (source). It includes stalking, harassment, physical or sexual abuse. This is an issue that impacts everyone - not just teens - but their caregivers, teachers, friends and communities. Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month is a national effort to raise awareness about teen dating violence, promote healthy teen relationships and highlight programs and resources that prevent dating violence.
Click here to learn more about Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month at WHRHS

SCHOOL RESOURCES 

STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The Student Assistance Counselors (SAC’s) provide confidential in-school support to students who are struggling with issues that negatively impact school performance. The SAC works with students to develop healthy coping skills, reduce risk factors, and make positive lifestyle choices. Services include assessment, crisis intervention, psycho-education, short-term counseling and referrals to community resources. Students are encouraged to utilize these services for concerns about themselves or others.

Students can seek assistance on their own or be referred by any member of our school community. Referrals and services are confidential, and will not become part of the student’s school record.

If you are concerned about yourself or someone you know, please contact one of the SAC’s listed below.

Student Last Names A-L
Kevin Rice
krice@whrhs.org
908-647-4800 ext 7963

Student Last Names M-Z
Emma Giantisco, MA, LAC
egiantisco@whrhs.org
908-647-4800 ext 6866

• Stress management
• Family problems and transitions
• Relationship issues (friends, dating, etc)
• Substance use/abuse
• Anxiety/Depression
• Anger management
• Eating disorders
• Body image
• Bullying
• School related problems
• Self esteem
• Peer and Social Problems
• Grief and Loss
• Suicide Prevention
• ANY other issues that teens may be dealing with in today’s world

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

In an emergency, call 911!

Drug/Alcohol/Addiction Prevention

CRISIS / PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES - 24-hour emergency mental health care, including risk assessments, screenings, crisis intervention and stabilization, psychiatric emergency services and access to mental health resources; mobile outreach also available

Somerset County Residents
Psychiatric Evaluation Screening Services (PESS)
282 E. Main St, Somerville, NJ
908-526-4100
www.bridgewayrehab.org

Morris County Residents 
Saint Clare’s Hospital
Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES)
25 Pocono Rd., Denville, NJ
973-625-6150
973-625-0280 - after-hours hotline

Morristown Memorial Hospital
100 Madison Ave, Morristown, NJ 07960
(973) 971-5000

Newton Medical Center
175 High St., Newton, NJ
973-383-0973
24-hour Crisis Hotline 973-540-0100

HOTLINES

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline : http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

NJ Teen Helpline: http://www.2ndfloor.org/ 1-888-222-2228

The Trevor Project: www.thetrevorproject.org 1-866-4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386)

NJ Addiction Services Hotline 1-844276-2777

NJ Mental Health Cares http://www.njmentalhealthcares.org/ 866-202-4357

In addition, the NJ Dept. of Children and Families has an extensive list of hotline and helplines available on their website:

http://www.state.nj.us/dcf/families/hotlines/

The Mental Health Association of NJ  has decided to open up their Disaster Mental Health Helpline to assist for those feeling stressed, anxious or depressed due to COVID-19. 

Please call (877)294- HELP(4357) for emotional support, guidance and mental health referrals as needed.

Summer Strategies for Freshman Year
WHRHS Transition to High School

• Parents of the incoming freshman class of 2026 will learn strategies to aid in the transition from middle to high school. The focus will be on the three key points of: self-esteem, anxiety management, and executive functioning.

Rutgers Video Presentation

Self Esteem and Your Teen

• Presented by Rutgers School Based Clinicians, Michelle Pigott, PsyD and Jamie Pagdonsolan, LCSW.  Learn about strategies to aid in developing healthy self- esteem as well as signs of struggling self-esteem with your teen. This presentation will provide resources, suggestions, and supports for your teen both in school and at home.

WW Virtual Presentation 2-9-22
Marijuana's Here To Stay: What Caregivers Need To Know

• Come learn about "today's marijuana" and how to raise drug resistant teens. This presentation will cover information about: dabbing, CBD, Delta-8, Cannabis-infused drinks, edibles, and more.

Presented By: Dr. Heather Athannasiou & Community in Crisis

Watchung Parent Night 1-12-22:

Supporting Teenagers with Anxiety

• Learn ways to identify Anxiety presentations in your child and how to help them cope with it. In addition, learn ways to provide support for yourself as the parent in the home.

Week of Respect:

How to be an Upstander to Cyberbullying

• Fight cyberbullying by being an upstander!

TEDx - Bullying and Empathy

• The Cure for Bullying in High School.

More Videos:

The Secret Life of Teens

• As part of TODAY’s “Secret Lives of Teens” series, NBC news special anchor Maria Shriver sits down with young people to discuss issues they commonly struggle with – and often keep hidden from their parents. make parents aware of what they are feeling and help them to understand that their pressure sometimes adds to the burden on the teens.