Montefiore School Health Program helps students address mental health issues

Original article written Ruschell Boone and Jackie Koppell for Spectrum News 1 NY

Stress, anxiety, and depression were issues impacting young children and teens before COVID, but the pandemic has made things worse. A large resource that is helping children cope with life issues is the Montefiore School Health Program which serves over 40,000 students address mental health issues.

The Montefiore School Health Program has 32 school-based health centers (SBHCs) in the Bronx and Yonkers and it’s the largest hospital-sponsored program in the country. Dr. Delaney Gracy, director of clinical services for the program, joined NY1 to explain some of the challenges and some of the treatments that are out there.

She says signs to look out for with your kids are changes in sleeping and eating, mood changes, withdrawal, and a decrease in school performance. Dr. Gracy encourages talking to your children, asking them how they're doing and to see if they're lonely. She said it's a culture shift that starts with families to normalize discussing mental health and feelings of sadness or depression.

If you or anyone you know needs help, you can contact 1-888-NYC-WELL or the national suicide prevention line at 1-800-273-TALK.

To read the full article and watch the interview, CLICK HERE.