Critical Funding For East End Teen Mental Health Initiatives

SOUTHOLD, NY — With teen drug use and suicide an escalating concern on the North Fork and entire East End, funding has been secured to help bolster a youth mental health initiative during the current school year.

With mental health issues a critical issue for teens, and the North Fork traditionally under-serviced, Southold Town has taken proactive steps to protect young people: Beginning in September, after a full year of planning and coordination, and a $175,000 grant to local school communities earmarked in the state's budget, the North Fork Mental Health Initiative kicked off in September in conjunction with the start of the new school year.

"The multi-district consortium will provide important treatment and therapeutic support services for students throughout the North Fork," a release from town and school officials said.

New York State Senator Ken LaValle spearheaded the grant effort along with all local lawmakers in an effort to support the needs of students in local schools, he said.

“I am very pleased and proud of our work to bring this much needed help to our students, schools, and local communities,” LaValle said.

Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell and New York State Assemblyman Anthony Palumbo teamed up with LaValle in securing the $175,000 in grant funding for the North Fork.

“The Town of Southold recognizes that our partnership with the schools to support this initiative is beneficial for both the families and community of Southold as a whole," Russell said.

He added: "One of the biggest shortages we have is providing mental health options for our youth and their families. Historically, when we needed a basketball court or a ball field for our youth, we always seem to find the money. Whenever we created teams or leagues the resources and the coordination was always there. That's not to diminish those in any way but, let's bring that same commitment to an issue just as important to our youth."

All school districts also earmarked some funds in their current school year budgets to support the initiative.

The funds will be utilized to hire additional therapists at Family Service League, the agency that will be contracted to offer enhanced support for students in need.

“There is a tremendous recognition among state lawmakers, education officials, and the entire behavioral healthcare field for the need to provide these vital resources and services,” stated Dr. Jeff Steigman, chief administrative officer at Family Service League.

Surveys of school communities taken last September revealed strong support for mental health services. “Nine out of 10 New Yorkers think public schools should provide mental health services for students who do not have access to such services,” according to a poll taken by Phi Delta Kappa International last year, the release said.

In addition the New York State Education Department is now mandating that mental health curriculum be taught in schools throughout New York; the requirement mandating the change in curriculum took place July, 2018.

Family Service League will be working closely with the on-site teams of each school district to
coordinate crisis intervention and other student support service, the release said.

Back in April, Palumbo and LaValle said the newly approved New York State budget included $350,000 in funding to provide mental health services on both the North and South Forks — with the two coalitions that have been formed to provide mental health services across the Forks each receiving $175,000 in state support.

"Throughout my tenure one of my top priorities has been working to ensure access to quality, affordable health and mental health services on the East End of Long Island," LaValle said.

About two years ago, New York State Assemblyman Fred Thiele and he joined with a group of professionals from across the South Fork to work toward providing a network of available services for the community, LaValle said.

"Last year, recognizing the growing need to help schools confront mental health issues, I, along with Assemblymen Palumbo and Thiele, convened a group of North Fork school leaders, government officials from all levels, local hospitals and regional counseling services to discuss how best to develop a structure and plan to support our young people struggling with mental health disorders, anxiety, depression and addiction," LaValle said.

LaValle said he and Palumbo "fought hard" during budget negotiations and were successful in having $175,000 in funding included for each group in the 2018 to 2019 budget.

"This critical funding will ensure that a plan is in place to immediately support our young people in a time of crisis, and build a local support network equipped to deliver immediate, affordable follow up services on both the South and North Forks," LaValle said.

Palumbo, who lives in New Suffolk, was thrilled with the victory. "This year we secured over $175,000 in funding for the North Fork mental health initiative which will help provide school counselors for our students."

In early 2017, Southold Town announced great strides to address mental health issues close to home.

For years, teens in crisis have had to travel long distances to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment — but the time has come for a satellite office that could help provide immediate support right in Southold Town, officials said.

At a town board work session, Southold Town government liaison officer Denis Noncarrow said the goal was to set up a satellite office locally that can help in times of crisis and serve as a preventative measure, too.

"Teens 18 years old and under on the North Fork have a huge problem finding mental health care," Noncarrow said. "It's been a challenge through the years."

After the South Fork was faced with tragedy and teen suicide, New York State provided funding for mental health services, Noncarrow said.

LaValle, Noncarrow said, was onboard with helping to secure similar funding for the North Fork.

Lynn Nyilas, Southold Town's Youth Bureau Director, said when the South Fork was faced with teen suicides, the Family Service League set up a satellite office with funding so parents were able to find help and support immediately without having to "jump through as many hoops."

Having to travel to Stony Brook University Hospital in a crisis situation, where every minute counts, can be "traumatic," Noncarrow said. A mental health clinic close to home can help provide immediate support and would be a "wonderful thing, comforting to parents," he said.

Councilwoman Jill Doherty asked if the office would help teens navigate through issues before they reached a critical point.

Noncarrow said that was the objective; the aim, he said, is to hire another social worker to work with the Greenport, Southold and Mattituck School Districts that all can share; currently, all three districts have their own social worker, but those individuals are "bombarded" with casework, he said.

Nyilas said experts would be trained to spot signs of suicidal behavior; she received safeTALK training to detect suicidal behavior and said that training is free and can be provided by the Family Service League.

Anxiety in teens is something that must be addressed, Doherty said, adding that when anxiety is not treated it can lead to drug and alcohol abuse.

Nyilas agreed and said that very issue was spotlighted at a seminar at Suffolk County Community College.

Eastern Long Island Hospital CEO and President Paul J. Connor has been working with the town and has facilitated a connection with Stony Brook University Hospital; the senator expressed an interest in "pushing" the initiative forward, Noncarrow said.

The time is now to bring mental health services for teens close to home, Nyilas said. "We have been historically underserved on the North Fork," she said.

Russell agreed: "Creating a satellite office is one of the most worthwhile endeavors we can undertake on behalf of our youth."

Patch file photo.