I had a Book!

I had a Book!

I am interested in talking about Life Skills & the well health promotional benefit they offer. Having work with youth in different settings: my private office, a youth staying for 3 weeks in a step down–away from Hospital Mental Health Unit; youth crisis – 6-week program, and; a youth suicide unit-acute 3 day –it is time we talk about what works.
For me working with them– it was all of the above. I used (like all of you) different techniques & they all worked-well.
I am not a Social Worker –Just a Professional Counselor- Conditional. I had passed a State License and was sent a LCPC license but sent it back. My interest was in well health only. With that kind of motivation—it did not take me long to figure out what the child might benefit from-just by the setting.

Mostly like working with 8-10th graders but also help those in Middle school who were experiencing bullying or were the bullies. So many issues, so little time. As I said–I like Life Skills. The beauty of this work is in the definition.
I want the kids to live well. And I make it happen.
I often do not talk about what brings them there-that is old news. I just watch them and see what they gravitate to. TV, Phone are gone–so these kids are bored–most can not read past 3rd grade so they are not going to pick up a book–most books on the units are gone if they have pictures. So nothing else to do but talk— they do not want to talk to me. No problem. I was not paid staff—I was an observer-research student/asked to develop a program and no one knew any of that. I did this for 8-9 months. Staff loved me–“oh she’s here–we will have a good day!
The Psychologist—thought it was a good idea I was there-the kids I sent to other staff LSW, LCPC really talked. (  On Campus: Hospital Clinical Lab Director by day— an Adult sitting on a couch on a youth suicide unit (with a Book-trying to read a page) by evening and weekends) .

I sat on a community couch on a suicide unit under a sign that said–no spitting, no throwing, no yelling….etc. I read my (Large Print) book–maybe a few pages a week but I turned pages. It always brought them closer to me. By Day 2 (on suicide) I had their attention —sometimes they sat on me. I just moved away and asked if they wanted something. They could not figure me out. I talked to kids who saw me sit there & talking to a child in the hall for an hour or so, or walking out to the patio for a few minutes and laughing with another. They saw me for Day 1 -talking a lot with Day 2 kids-so they knew I was safe and humorous. Kids stopped crying–I brought the Kleenex.
By Day 3–they were doing fine…or better–they had lived through their experience and enjoyed an hour with me. Then they went to be peer equals or to talk with a Social worker–I had sent them on their way with new Life Skills.
I was asked if I could teach this stuff. Yes, was my answer.