Dear Friends and Families of The Help Group,
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time that holds profound significance for us at The Help Group as we continue our unwavering dedication to supporting mental health and well-being. It reminds us of the vital importance of prioritizing mental health, shattering stigmas, and cultivating a compassionate, understanding environment for all within our community.
While mental health challenges continue to rise, May allows us to shine a bright light on awareness, offering resources and sharing powerful stories of hope and resilience. At our recent Mental Health Matters Breakfast, we had the honor of presenting the Spirit of Hope Award to Lisa Wong, PsyD, LACDMH Director, and gained invaluable insights from mental health experts on critical issues impacting our schools and communities.
We invite you to join us on this journey, harnessing the strength of our community’s care and support. As part of our efforts, The Help Group provides therapeutic services for individuals, couples, and families of all ages through a wide range of funding services, including the Department of Mental Health, local school districts, insurance providers, and Lumina Counseling. Together, we can forge a path toward a future where mental health is widely accepted, valued, and championed by all. If you or a loved one could benefit from professional support, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
We appreciate your commitment to fostering well-being in our community.
Warm regards,
Shayne Horan, Ed. D.
Vice President of Schools
The Help Group
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Mental Health Awareness Blog
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Written by Laurie Owens, LMFT, Clinical Director – North Hills Prep & Project Six
At The Help Group’s North Hills Prep, we recognize the diverse emotional landscape our students navigate daily. From academic pressures to personal struggles, each student brings a unique set of challenges to their educational journey. Understanding the profound impact of these challenges on academic performance and overall well-being, we are committed to providing comprehensive support that nurtures not just intellectual growth, but emotional resilience as well. |
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The Help Group’s Mental Health Matters Breakfast
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Earlier this month, The Help Group hosted its inaugural Mental Health Matters Breakfast in observance of National Mental Health Awareness Month, demonstrating its commitment to mental health advocacy and support for individuals and families in need. At the event, Dr. Lisa Wong, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH), was honored with the Spirit of Hope Award for her commitment and advocacy in the field of mental health. Over 200 community members attended, hearing from a diverse lineup of speakers. Dr. Audra Langley shared insights on creating culturally-responsive, trauma-informed schools, while Danielle Farmer, MSEd, LCSW, discussed adolescent suicide assessment and prevention strategies. Kim Goodman, LCSW, presented W.E. – C.A.R.E. (Wellness, Education, Community, Awareness, Resources, & Engagement) offering self-care strategies for caregivers.
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| To learn more about our mental health resources as well as our schools and programs, contact us at 818-781-0360 or admissions@thehelpgroup.org. |
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Spots are filling up fast – Apply today!
June 10 – July 3, August 5 – 9 | 9 am – 2 pm
Kids Like Me’s Summer Camps begin on Monday, June 10th! These camps are a safe and enriching environment for 6-17-year-olds across the autism spectrum to engage, experience, and explore. Campers will be matched to ensure an appropriate peer group for learning and fun. Siblings are welcome! We are vendored with Regional Centers and accept Self-Determination funds. Contact your service coordinator today or visit our camps page to learn more! For Teens on The Go, we’re adding bus pick-ups for our westside residents from our Culver City Campus.
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Looking for a Specialized Summer Program for Young Adults?
June 10 – July 3, August 5 – 9 | 9:30 am – 2:30 pmJoin Advance LA for a fun social-recreational summer program for young adults between the ages of 18-22. This program is specially designed for young adults with mild to intensive support needs who face challenges with learning, language, attention, social interaction, or sensory processing. Build confidence, practice social and essential life skills, and take steps towards independence while having fun and forging new friendships. Young adults will be matched with their peers of similar abilities and interests within three different tracks. We are vendored with Regional Centers and accept Self-Determination funds. Contact your service coordinator today or visit Advance LA’s summer programs to learn more! |
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In Case You Missed It: Resource Fair 2024
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| On April 28, 2024, The Help Group hosted its highly anticipated 11th Annual Resource Fair alongside L.A. Parent, drawing a crowd of over 1000 attendees to Sherman Oaks. This year’s event featured more than 70 exhibitors from various sectors representing education, therapy, medical services, residential programs, and recreational activities for kids, adolescents and adults. The Resource Fair included engaging discussions covering topics like self-determination, person-centered planning, conservatorships, and estate planning. Throughout the day, attendees enjoyed family activities such as arts and crafts, face painting, bubble show, fitness sessions, community art murals, wildlife encounters with Critter Squad, music by DJ Disco, and sensory experiences. The fair truly embodied its theme of providing resources, support, and creating a joyful atmosphere and forming connections among families facing similar challenges. |
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The Help Group Offers Therapeutic Schools & Programs
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The Help Group’s Therapeutic Schools
The Help Group’s specialized day schools offer elementary, middle school, high school, and transition-age programs, and are certified by the California State Department of Education. Our therapeutic schools, such as North Hills Prep and Westview offer inclusive and differentiated college prep instruction paired with intensive therapeutic and behavioral services for students with social and emotional challenges, including depression and anxiety.
LEARN MORE |
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Project Six
A 24-hour therapeutic residential program located in Van Nuys, CA, Project Six utilizes a relationship-based treatment model, with evidence-based practice at its core. Its treatment philosophy promotes progress by teaching residents how to develop age-appropriate interpersonal skills that contribute to overall social-emotional, behavioral, and academic improvement.LEARN MORE |
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| Lumina Counseling
Lumina offers insurance and private pay individual, group, couples and family therapy to people of all ages, both in-person and online, throughout the Los Angeles area.
LEARN MORE |
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Outpatient Services
A variety of comprehensive services for children and families, including assessment; individual, family and group therapy; case management; psychiatric services; parenting groups; in-home counseling; school-based mental health counseling; neuropsychological testing. Programs include: REACH, Wraparound, Partnerships for Families, and Prevention and Aftercare.
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| Kaleidoscope
The Help Group’s Kaleidoscope program supports LGBTQ+ children, youth, young adults and their families in building healthy relationships, strong social connections and critically needed life skills through its high quality, evidence-based programs.
LEARN MORE |
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| Learn more about our schools, programs and other services. Download the PDF flyer. |
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ABOUT THE HELP GROUP
The Help Group believes that dignity, hope, opportunity, and love are the birthrights of all. We strive to transform lives by recognizing, cultivating, and celebrating the individual gifts of those with special needs related to autism, learning differences, ADHD, developmental delays, and emotional challenges. Our dedication to this mission shines through our family of innovative educational, therapeutic, residential, and vocational programs, as well as our advancement of cutting-edge research, professional training, outreach, and public policy advocacy.
www.thehelpgroup.org |
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