We hope you are all taking care of yourselves as we try to support others during this challenging time. One of our staff members shared the article "That Discomfort You're Feeling is Grief" which frames what we are collectively and individually experiencing during this crisis as grief. It's important to name the actual feelings and reactions we are experiencing that people may not have been able to articulate. Hearing how others are doing and feeling helps all of us stay connected when we are all in isolation. During these last few weeks, working with the All-In! team in San Francisco and the Peninsula has illuminated for us several truths about the resiliency of human beings.
First, people have an enormous capacity to come together, despite any obstacles in their path. When the shelter-in-place ordinance was first rolled out, there was a moment of panic. "Does this mean we can't see our kids and families? How will we continue to serve our school communities?" In the end, it only took one day of planning for Telehealth services to begin in SF and East Palo Alto. Our staff worked together to contact each of our Tier 3 families, assess their preferences around virtual platforms, and schedule sessions. Then, using phone and video platforms, both clinicians and behavioral staff started holding sessions with kids and families the following day. Talk about a quick turnaround!
Second, people have an incredible amount of untapped creativity. We all initially said something to the effect of, "but what are we going to do in a Telehealth session with a five-year-old?" It turns out that the possibilities are endless. One of our behavioral staff had a young client over video walk to the place in her home where she felt the most safe. Then, they walked through a few coping strategies and she practiced utilizing those tools in real time. When are we, as school-based mental health providers, ever able to help kids generalize coping skills into their home environments? Almost never! Another one of our staff figured out how to utilize the "draw" function on one of the virtual platforms and share his screen so that he and the client could create an art piece together. A third staff member read the book The Invisible String to all her clients, exploring themes of community and how they are still connected to their teachers and friends from school. The list of exciting activities is growing each day, as our folks continue to find new ways of engaging their young clients.
Finally, human beings look out for one another and help when needed. Amid Covid-19, there is a substantial waitlist of children and families here in San Francisco who have not been able to access mental health care. In support of our Seneca partners in the San Francisco Connections program, our clinicians and behavioral staff have been able to take on several cases to ensure that these young people receive the socio-emotional supports they need to make it through this global crisis. Our staff have displayed grit, perseverance, and a willingness to go above and beyond in one of the most challenging times that we as a species have experienced.
We have never felt so proud to be a part of this organization and truly believe that my colleagues are some of the strongest, most caring individuals this planet has to offer. As Nelson Mandela said, "It always seems impossible until it's done." Thank you, Seneca’s All-In! family, for your commitment to supporting our kids and families and getting it done!
We have never felt so proud to be a part of this organization and truly believe that my colleagues are some of the strongest, most caring individuals this planet has to offer. As Nelson Mandela said, "It always seems impossible until it's done." Thank you, Seneca’s All-In! family, for your commitment to supporting our kids and families and getting it done!
 Blog Post Written By: Jonathan Barnett, Director of School Partnerships |  Blog Post Written By: Robyn Ganeles, Assistant Director of Clinical Intervention |
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