COMMUNITY OUTREACH POST-PANDEMIC

In the Surgeon General’s recent report, he warns about the public health crisis that loneliness, isolation, and disconnection pose to the American public. Social connection is a fundamental human need as essential to survival as food and water. Lacking social connection has serious health consequences, including an increased risk for depression and anxiety. As we move into a post-pandemic era, NYPCC believes that strengthening the social fabric is essential in order to improve the health of people and communities and must be a priority. We aim to foster connection through our services, resources, and outreach events.

Parents can often feel isolated dealing with their child’s mental health. During the pandemic, NYPCC developed a discussion group called NYPCC Parent CAFÉ to engage the community in conversation, offering tips to manage stress and sharing resources.  NYPCC continues this tradition by offering presentations on mental health topics that address parents’ concerns.  We assist parents across the city by connecting experts in their fields with families facing challenges. Our outreach team offers Personalized Workshops to the community so participants gain greater insight and confidence, increase mental health awareness and decrease stigma; improve decision-making and interpersonal skills, to name a few.

Bullying is a multifaceted issue that poses a threat to one’s emotional, physical, and mental well-being, resulting in shame and self-doubt. NYPCC has been a pioneer in establishing the first anti-bullying coalition (ABC) in the Bronx in 2018. Partnering with CBOs, NYPCC’s Anti-Bullying Coalition implements ongoing preventive measures against bullying by: providing trainings to engage and empower communities against bullying; providing trainings to engage schools and youth organizations as well as local businesses; providing a forum for parents about prevention and intervention; and supporting parents and their young children who are directly affected by the experience.  

Good mental health allows children to think clearly, develop socially and learn new skills. NYPCC furthers connections by teaching parents, caregivers, school staff, and our neighbors, how to help an adolescent who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis, through Youth Mental Health First Aid evidence-based training. YMHFA is a prevention model that promotes safety and reassurance in a non-judgmental way. It de-escalates immediate and crisis situations by creating stabilizing and calm conditions through information and making connections.