Warrior Wellness
An Online Resource for the Watchung Hills Community to Access
Information, Activities and Support Related to Wellness.
Directed by the Wellness Committee, Warrior Wellness provides a comprehensive effort to the Watchung Hills community with the resources to enhance the social and emotional wellness of all students. This initiative strives to maximize student development in four key areas:
- Intellectual Wellness
- Emotional Wellness
- Social Wellness
- Physical Wellness
Articles
Information and Resources on Different Topics Affecting Students.
- Youth led, non-profit organization that educates youth/teens about health, wellness & fitness, via website, articles, social media, podcasts, videos, digital magazines and webinars.
- Learning to Be Kind to Yourself
- Explanations and Strategies for All Three
- How to help children manage the thoughts that drive perfectionism.
- 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
- 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
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.
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.
Events
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
News
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
Resources
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
**NEW**
Covid-19 Pandemic Related Resources
Mental Health and Wellness Resources for Young Adults
Resources including: help in a crisis, coping with Covid-19, pandemic tips for parents, and back to school support. This website promotes student health and well-being during the unprecedented times of the Covid-19 pandemic.
School is not always in session when a problem or emergency arises. Please take advantage of the mental health hotlines listed below when we are not available.
- NJ PerformCare: 877-652-7624
- 2nd Floor Youth Helpline: 888‐222‐2228
- Psychiatric Emergency Screening Services: 908-526-4100
- Family Crisis Intervention Unit: 732‐542‐2444
- Traumatic Loss Coalition: 732‐956-7782
- New Jersey Hopeline: 855-654-6735
- National Suicide Prevention Helpline: 800-273-TALK (8255)
- Somerset County Hope and Healing Program: 908-231-6414
In addition to the above hotlines, you can download the following apps to your phone...
MY3: Define your network and your plan to stay safe.
Virtual Hope Box: Contains tools to help with coping, relaxation, distraction, and positive thinking
- 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.
CHILDREN & FAMILIES
Wednesdays at 4:30pm
Bored in the House: Youth Hangout (Ages 14-18)
https://zoom.us/j/94732149652?
1 (929) 205-6099
Meeting ID: 947 3214 9652
Passcode: 726468
Wednesdays at 8pm
Supporting Families: Group for Parents and Caregivers
https://zoom.us/j/96390553396?
1 (929) 205-6099
Meeting ID: 963 9055 3396
Passcode: 522856
HEALTHCARE & FRONTLINE WORKERS
Mondays at 10am
Healing the Hero
https://zoom.us/j/93247469703?
1 (929) 205-6099
Meeting ID: 932 4746 9703
Passcode: 374382
Thursdays at 4pm
Healing the Hero
https://zoom.us/j/95697045483?
1 (929) 205-6099
Meeting ID: 956 9704 5483
Passcode: 774386
SENIORS
Tuesdays at 3pm
Coping with Change
https://zoom.us/j/97426759376?
1 (929) 205-6099
Meeting ID: 974 2675 9376
Passcode: 275889
Fridays at 3pm
Coping with Change
https://zoom.us/j/95709779459?
1 (929) 205-6099
Meeting ID: 957 0977 9459
Passcode: 542469
FIRST RESPONDERS
Mondays at 8pm
Our Responders First
https://zoom.us/j/96728363218?
1 (929) 205-6099
Meeting ID: 967 2836 3218
Passcode: 237887
Thursdays at 9am
Our Responders First
https://zoom.us/j/98859725166?
1 (929) 205-6099
Meeting ID: 988 5972 5166
Passcode: 835069
INDIVIDUALS IN RECOVERY
Daily All Recovery Meetings
All Recovery virtual meetings provide social support for those seeking or maintaining recovery, as well as family members, friends and supporters of those who have been influenced by substance use.
Click here for full schedule
Tuesdays at 4pm
Women in Recovery: Self-Care and Resiliency
https://zoom.us/j/99774317630?
1 (929) 205-6099
Meeting ID: 997 7431 7630
Passcode: 384719
Wednesdays at 8pm
Recovery Support
https://zoom.us/j/99017253565?
1 (929) 205-6099
Meeting ID: 990 1725 3565
Passcode: 269916
Thursdays at 4pm
Women in Recovery: Self-Care and Resiliency
https://zoom.us/j/92113019522?
1 (929) 205-6099
Meeting ID: 921 1301 9522
Passcode: 787666
Videos & Presentations
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!
- The Cure for Bullying in High School.
More Videos:
- 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.