Empowering Homeless Youth: Fenix Youth Project Announces Partnership with The Wellness Center of Maryland

Fenix Youth Project is excited to unveil a new partnership with The Wellness Center of Maryland, led by CEO Naryah Miles LCSW-C, LICSW, CCTP. This dynamic collaboration aims to provide crucial mental health services to homeless youth within our community.

At Fenix Youth Project's Arts & Media Drop-In Center, young individuals will now have access to free 1:1 counseling sessions, courtesy of The Wellness Center of Maryland. Starting in April, licensed counselors will be available during designated homeless youth drop-in hours on Fridays. This initiative is open to any person between the ages of 12 to 24, offering them the opportunity to book a session and meet with a counselor at absolutely no cost and without any obligations.

The Wellness Center of Maryland is renowned for its expertise in Mood Disorders and Complex Trauma. This partnership is a proactive response to the urgent need for mental health support among vulnerable populations, particularly those experiencing homelessness. The goal is to ensure access to care within a safe and creative environment.

Young people will be able to benefit from one free counseling session per month at Fenix Youth Project. In cases where additional sessions are required, the Fenix Youth Project will seamlessly facilitate a warm handoff to The Wellness Center of Maryland.

Amber Green, Executive Director at Fenix Youth Project, shared her thoughts on the collaboration, stating: "Our mission at Fenix Youth Project has always been to provide holistic support to young people, nurturing their creativity and well-being. Partnering with The Wellness Center of Maryland allows us to expand our services to address the crucial mental health needs of homeless youth in our community. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in their lives."

Naryah Miles, CEO of The Wellness Center of Maryland, also expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, saying: "We are excited to bring our specialized counseling services to the Arts & Media Drop-In Center at Fenix Youth Project. Our goal is to create a supportive environment where young people can explore their mental health and receive the care they deserve."

To book a counseling session or learn more about this partnership, please contact Fenix Youth Project Arts & Media Center at 443-736-7028 or visit https://fenixyouthproject.org/

National Suicide Prevention Month

Observed every September in the United States to raise awareness about suicide, its prevention, and the warning signs, it's a time when mental health advocates, prevention organizations, survivors, allies, and community members unite to promote suicide prevention awareness. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) describes suicide as a major public health concern and a leading cause of death in the U.S.

Various organizations, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), provide opportunities to participate in several annual mental health awareness events throughout this month. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) also compiles a list of helpful resources for parents, caregivers, children, teens, and mental health professionals. This month is important because it serves as a key period to rally the public, create awareness of this leading cause of death, and inspire more people to get involved in prevention efforts.

Youth experiencing homelessness have a higher rate of suicide vulnerability.

It's important to note that many factors often interact in complex ways, and the relationship between homelessness and suicide is influenced by a range of individual, interpersonal, and societal factors. Here are some key contributors.

• Mental Health Issues: Homeless youth often suffer from mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which are known risk factors for suicide.

• Substance Abuse: Substance use disorders are common among homeless youth, and these can exacerbate mental health issues and increase the likelihood of suicidal ideation and attempts.

• Trauma: Many homeless youth have experienced physical or sexual abuse, family conflict, or other forms of trauma. These traumatic experiences can lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair, increasing the risk of suicide.

• Isolation and Lack of Support: Being homeless often means being disconnected from family and social support networks, which can intensify feelings of loneliness and isolation, contributing to suicidal thoughts.

• Lack of Access to Mental Health Services: Homeless youth often lack access to adequate healthcare, including mental health services. This lack of treatment and support can make it more difficult for them to cope with mental health issues and suicidal ideation.

• Discrimination and Stigmatization: Homeless youth often face discrimination and stigmatization which can lead to low self-esteem and increased risk of suicide.

This month is dedicated to educating people about the reality of suicide, the right preventive measures, and how each person can play a role in preventing suicide. We will be sharing public resources to shed light on this highly taboo and stigmatized topic.

What you can do to help...

• Educate Yourself and Others: Learn about the risk factors and warning signs of suicide. Share this information with your friends, family, or social media followers. The more people know, the better equipped they are to intervene if necessary.

• Spread the Word: Share posts, articles, and stories on your social media accounts. Use hashtags like #SuicidePrevention or #StigmaFree to make it easier for others to find helpful information. Utilize the Fenix Youth Crisis Text Line by texting FENIX to 471471.

• Participate in Events: Many organizations host events during September that raise awareness about suicide prevention. Participating in these events can give you a platform to share your story, learn from others, and raise funds for research and prevention.

• Volunteer: Consider volunteering with a crisis hotline or a local mental health organization. These organizations often need volunteers to provide support and resources to those in need.

• Advocate: Contact your local government officials to advocate for policies that support mental health and suicide prevention. This could include advocating for mental health education in schools or funding for mental health services.

• Check-In: If you're worried about someone, reach out to them. Ask them how they're doing and listen without judgment. Sometimes, just knowing someone is there can make a big difference.

• Donate: If you're able, consider making a donation to a suicide prevention organization. Your donation could go towards research, resources, training, and advocacy.

What else is Fenix Youth Project doing this month?

We’re always on a mission to uplift and inspire our youth. This month we're facilitating different fundraisers and programs you can be involved in! Below is a list of activities/ things you can do to help.

• Attend our Sneaker Ball! Saturday, Sep 16th at SU Art Galleries (downtown, doors open at 7)

• Stop at our pop-up thrift fundraiser during third Friday downtown! You can fill a paper bag with clothing/ shoes for $20! (Friday Sep 22nd)

• Join our “Stay Ready” program on Tuesday evenings from 5-7! This is located in our suite and only open to homeless youth. Dinner is provided.

• Volunteer with us! 

• Donate Mental Health Support Activities Items like journals, adult coloring books, art supplies, etc.

• Get Involved with Fenix  on our website https://fenixyouthproject.org/get-involved  

Where Do We Go Next?

The events of the 2020-21 school year—a global pandemic, calls for racial justice, and an unprecedented shift to remote school—have highlighted the challenges and inequities faced by many of America’s young people. To better understand young people’s experiences, America’s Promise Alliance and Research for Action conducted a wide-ranging, national survey of more than 2,400 high school students, providing one of the most comprehensive looks yet at the high school experience during a year of historic upheaval.

Overall, young people’s responses to this national survey suggest that:

Finding 1: High schoolers are struggling with a decreased sense of wellbeing—reporting declines in mental health and concerning levels of disconnection from peers and adults.

Finding 2: Opportunities to learn about race and racism in the classroom vary but are associated with higher levels of critical consciousness and social action.

Finding 3: COVID-19 has upended postsecondary planning, yet feelings of postsecondary readiness are highest among students who are most connected to teachers and peers, have opportunities to discuss race and racism in school, and feel academically interested and challenged.

These findings illuminate several recommendations for school and district leaders to act on in both the immediate recovery period and afterward:

Recommendation 1: Address student mental health, now and on an ongoing basis.

Recommendation 2: Teach a comprehensive and accurate history of race and racism in the United States.

Recommendation 3: Prioritize postsecondary success through relevant content and pathways planning.

Recommendation 4: Saturate young people’s environments with caring adult relationships.

Read the ENTIRE REPORT -> https://www.americaspromise.org/sites/default/files/d8/gradnation-062321.pdf