A Helping Hand for Local Youths

A family trying to navigate the delicate emotions of a divorce. A teenager despondent over the breakup of a relationship. A schoolchild experiencing the psychological trauma of bullying. A parent suffering from debilitating depression and anxiety.

Where can people experiencing crises like these turn when the pressure becomes too great?

To social workers.

March is National Social Work Month, and Project Community Pride, a nonprofit community counseling agency in Madison staffed by licensed clinical social workers, wants to spread the word about the benefits of seeking professional help when the going gets tough. Project Community Pride, which is partially funded by municipal contributions and private donations, offers counseling services to children and their families residing in Chatham, Madison and Florham Park, regardless of their ability to pay. 

Mike Shugrue, LCSW and Project Community Pride counselor, stresses the importance of accessible counseling services within a community. He says, “In recent years government funding for mental health services has decreased significantly, which means people in crisis don’t have as many options for help.” Shugrue notes that private counseling services can be costly and related health insurance coverage inadequate.

At the same time, the need for professional counseling services seems to be growing. “In the past five years we have seen our caseload increase dramatically,” Shugrue says. “We’re receiving new referrals every week.”

The program addresses emotional and mental health concerns including depression, suicidal ideation, peer pressure, socialization issues, divorce, family conflicts, anger and anxiety management, bullying and more. Brigitte Kelly, Project Community Pride Director adds, “Like many social workers who work with young people, we see plenty of kids who have reached a critical stage in whatever personal crisis they’re facing. However, at Project Community Pride we also want to reach out to young people who are heading toward a downward spiral before things get completely out of control. If we can prevent a disaster and support kids through a tough time – and give them the tools to help themselves going forward – we’ve done our job.”

Lara Shaljian, LCSW and Project Community Pride Program Specialist, explains how Project Pride’s approach to services makes the agency unique. “We have formed relationships with the local schools that allow us to conduct sessions with our clients right in their schools, so we can see them in their environment,” she says. Project Pride also requires that parents participate in family meetings at the agency’s office. “We feel our ability to connect school, home and therapy is our trademark,” says Shaljian. “Social work is based on looking at the big picture in each case. We examine everything from family life, to academic and social functioning, to clinical symptoms in order to fully address our clients’ needs.”

Project Community Pride has been in existence for 37 years and has made a difference in the lives of many young people in the community. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see the positive impact we can make in people’s lives,” says Kelly.

For more information about social workers and National Social Work Month, visit the NASW website at www.socialworkers.org. For information about Project Community Pride, visit www.projectcommunitypride.org or call 973-593-3034.