Mercer Island Youth and Family Services (MIYFS) counselors gave deep insight into their jobs during a powerful 10-minute video screened at the foundation’s fundraising breakfast on Feb. 8.
“Access to mental health services is one of the top protective factors, especially for kids who are vulnerable, and for families,” said Harry Brown, Islander Middle School mental health counselor.
Added Liana Montague, a community based family therapist with clients from elementary age into their 80s: “What stands out to me now is the intensity of emotions that I am seeing, much less resilience than I’ve seen before. I think a lot more fragility.”
MIYFS envisions all Islanders reaching their full human potential, according to the video, which was viewed by nearly 500 people at the breakfast that took place in the Mercer Island Community and Event Center gymnasium.
In an introductory video shown at the event, some school-based statistics presented included: MIYFS school counselors work with 3,465 students and 1,121 parents; 414 Mercer Island High School (MIHS) students receive formal mental health counseling; and 465 Islander Middle School and MIHS students received youth mental health training.
Chris Harnish, MIHS mental health counselor, said the school partnered with the University of Washington utilizing the Learn program and continues placing an emphasis on suicide prevention.
An important aspect of the program is, “What do you do if you see the signs or symptoms and how do we intervene before it gets to a point where maybe somebody’s thinking about hurting themselves?” he said. According to the 2021 Healthy Youth Survey, 22% of Mercer Island sophomores reported having seriously considered suicide in that past year.
Brown said that during times of stress and anxiety, students can turn to their counselors for support. The schools have created interventions “that can make a difference in a kid’s life in that day, not having to wait weeks, or months or years. We know the sooner we can intervene, the more significant the difference can be,” he added.
Michelle Ritter, Healthy Youth Initiative coordinator, said that the professionals she’s fortunate to work with daily put their heart, soul, energy and time into helping others.
A pair of anonymous letters from Island parents that community members read at the breakfast told of how MIYFS counselors provided indispensable support for a socially anxious first-grader and a senior struggling with Alzheimer’s disease.
“When she met our daughter, she was exactly the type of person you would want around your kid: a great listener, calm and kind,” read one letter.
On finding the necessary care and living situation, the senior’s family noted: “Because of our counselor’s incredible knowledge and experience, we have someone we trust, and that’s a big deal when you’re making difficult, expensive and life-changing decisions about someone you care so much about.”
To view the full video, visit: https://www.youtube.com/@miyfsfoundation6670/videos
