School Based Services // Heywood Hospital

Adolescence presents unique challenges that may feel overwhelming. The Youth Tele Behavioral Health Program offers a safe and supportive environment where students will explore personal difficulties, identify individual strengths and learn skills to address challenges in a community of peers. A School-Based Community Health Worker is assigned to assist with linkage between clinician, school and family needs. The program provides students with year-round long term or short-term counseling. The program serves middle and high school students within local schools in our region.

Available To Students At:

Athol Middle & High School
Gardner High School & GALT
Murdock High School
Ralph C Mahar Regional High School
Narragansett Regional High School

Target issues (not limited to the following):

Depression
Anxiety
Self-Advocacy and Confidence
Self-Regulation
Life Transitions
Grieving and Loss
LGBTQ Stressors
Peer & Family Relationships and Dynamics
Substance Abuse and Dependence

Individual Counseling

Our school-based tele counseling program offers students individual therapy. We can help the student (and their family) understand and resolve problems, modify behavior, and make purposeful changes in their lives. Students meet with a clinician using 2-way interactive video conferencing. Though the program is school based, it is available year round.

Teen Subtsance Use & Mental Health (A-CRA)

The Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA) Program treats teens, ages 12-18, who are dealing with substance use and co-occurring mental health issues. Teens learn new ways of handling problems without leaning on drugs and alcohol by focusing on the rewards of staying substance free. Treatment begins with a comprehensive assessment followed by 10-12 individual sessions (3 months). These sessions include looking at why the student is inclined to use substances as well as evaluating the impact using them has in their present life and potentially in their future. Enrolled teens will learn and practice new skills, make positive choices and set goals. Parent and family sessions are part of the treatment. The program is FREE to all participants.

A-CRA Treatment

Youth Mentor (Project Amp)

Project Amp pairs youth with young adult mentors who bring a wide range of skills and experiences to the table. Mentors meet one-on-one with participants for 4-6 sessions, where they discuss various prevention-oriented topics such as goal setting, wellness, social supports, beneficial influences, alcohol and other drugs, and engagement in community activities. Project Amp is not counseling or a medical or behavioral health treatment, but rather a participant-lead program to support young people. The program is FREE to all participants.

Project Amp

Community Resources

A school-based Community Health Worker (CHW) works alongside school personnel to help students & families access a variety of services and locally based resources. These resources may include food, clothing, fuel assistance, support groups and more. The CHW will guide families and assist with navigating the application process if needed.

Community Resources:

Improvements Observed