Student Mental Health in Ravenswood during SIP

Dear Jenna,

I hope this message finds you well as you navigate the rollercoaster of these challenging times. As we are all experiencing, the impact of school closures and the shelter in place mandate extends well beyond our school and work lives and into our overall well-being. Supporting Ravenswood students’ mental health has always been a REF priority, and in the current context, nurturing the whole child takes on a new level of urgency. Today, I am happy to highlight a longtime REF grantee and partner, Counseling And Support Services for Youth (CASSY), who is working responsively to shift how it supports our students' mental health needs. 

Services Provided During Shelter in Place
During the week following the announcement of school closures, CASSY therapists were quick to transition and reached out to their existing Ravenswood student clients to offer telehealth services, by telephone or through video. To date:

• 58 students have opted to continue their services remotely
• 6 new students requiring support were identified and are being counseled
• 157 online individual sessions have been provided
• 253 online parent consults were made
• 41 online staff consultations

Examples of Mental Health Support in Action

• A CASSY therapist at Willow Oaks recently held a telehealth play therapy session with a 1st grade student. The therapist was able to remotely guide the student to use dolls in her home and witness and reflect on her process just as if they were in the office at school.
• A CASSY therapist at the Ravenswood Middle School has been working with a 7th grade student with anxiety and low self esteem. Telehealth allows the parents to support the girl’s counseling. The student often goes out on the balcony for her telehealth session, and reports that afterwards she shares her insights with her mother. This new involvement allows her mother to remind her daughter to use her coping skills throughout the week.

As we assess the impact of remote therapy, we look forward to updating the ways we deliver services to improve student well being. REF is thankful to support and partner with CASSY and other organizations engaged in the Ravenswood Wellness Initiative, including the Children’s Health Council, Child Mind Institute, and One EPA, to support our students’ mental health needs, now and for the future.

How You Can Help

• Donate to REF Emergency Fund - Your continued generosity allows REF to be responsive to the needs of our students, families and schools. 
• Volunteer - We continue to look for volunteers to tutor students, provide IT support, help move classrooms and more. If you are interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities, please respond to this form.

With gratitude,
​
Jenna Wachtel Pronovost
Executive Director