There are phone calls that a parent never wants to get. When a child has reached a point of pain that using self harm as a means of numbing and escape seems like the only option, it can feel almost impossible to comprehend or bear. But no one has to feel like they are alone facing this difficult challenge; the staff at Amudim is here to tackle this issue and support a family through every needed step.
We received a panicked call from Faigy*, whose 13 year-old daughter, Ayala*, was in crisis, and an immediate decision needed to be reached for her safety. Ayala was at a friend’s house for the night, and the friend’s mom had discovered Ayala cutting herself in the bathroom. While she has been in therapy for a while for anxiety, and there were several past incidents of online bullying, no one realized that the situation had deteriorated so badly; Faigy didn’t know whether to bring her daughter home or to the emergency room.
Our case manager reassured Faigy that she had made the right call, conducted a safety assessment, and began to assemble proper resources to help Ayala. First, we were able to connect the family with a psychiatrist and therapist who work in tandem and specialize in adolescent mental health; after an initial evaluation and discussions with Faigy, everyone agreed that an intensive outpatient program (IOP) was the best avenue to get Ayala the help she needed while maintaining her regular home and school life as best as possible.
This is a complex case of addressing past and current challenges; and the journey to recovery is not a quick or easy fix. But in the eight weeks since Faigy’s call, Ayala has been making strides in therapy and talking with friends and family; and our case manager continues to coordinate with Faigy to provide psychoeducation and work with her daughter’s treatment team to ensure the greatest chance of success. Ayala’s school has also been a strong ally in addressing cyberbullying and raising awareness among its students and faculty.
If you or a loved one is struggling, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Amudim is just a phone call away and here to help.
*Names and details have been changed for privacy purposes
Each week, Amudim fields calls covering a wide range of crises and addressing various human concerns, including addiction, depression, abuse, health and domestic emergencies and many others. We track the calls and breakdown of issues for many reasons, foremost of which is to consistently improve and strengthen our knowledge and ability to address community’s needs.
💡 Parent Tip: Encourage your teen to express their feelings openly and without judgment. Active listening and empathy can create a safe space for them to share their struggles. Your understanding and support can be a powerful tool in their healing journey.
📣 “We must empathize with and provide compassionate care for all. This can be done within the perfect moral structure our Torah Hakedosha provides.” - Rabbi Avi Landa, LCPC, Amudim Director of Education
Rabbi Avi Landa recently spoke on the topic of LGBTQ+ inclusion at the Nesivos Annual Networking Event. His words remind us of the importance of empathy and support for every individual within our community. Let’s continue to build bridges and foster understanding. 🤝💙
#Amudim #CompassionateCare #LGBTQInclusion #CommunitySupport #NesivosNetworking #Empathy #TorahValues
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