Warren, PA - Following a recent school threat case that brought mental health concerns into sharper focus, Warren County Family Services and the Warren County School District are emphasizing the resources available to students and families, and the importance of breaking down the stigma around seeking help.
 
Nicole Neukam, executive director of Family Services of Warren County, said her organization is committed to being there for the community in challenging times.
 
“We are here for the community. We’ve always been. I know that this is a hard time, especially for some students. But we are here to support them throughout the process and have partnered with the school district and have the ability to offer both crisis groups and art therapy for any student in need," Neukam said. 
  
Marcus Stendahl, director of mental health services at Family Services of Warren County, said their priority is making sure help is accessible when people need it most. “If any client or potential client feels like they are struggling with mental health, or has a lot of anxiety, or stress, there is a way that we can get them in quickly to support them. We will do whatever we can to help those people in our community,” Stendahl said.
 
The school district is also working to change the way students think about mental health. Jonathan Livingood, a licensed social worker for the district, compared mental health care to physical health care.
 
“We are trying to erase the stigma. It’s just like if you break your arm, you’re going to the doctor to get it fixed. But it’s much easier to see physical health versus mental health," Livengood said.  "But it’s just as important to do that. You need to seek help for your mind, just like you would go to a regular doctor for a physical checkup.” 
 
He added that the district collaborates not only with Family Services, but also with Beacon Light. Outpatient therapists from Beacon Light visit the high schools on a regular basis to provide additional support for students.
 
"We have a lot of different measures and protocols in place to assist our students and have been working very closely with local organizations like Family Services and Beacon Light in addition to local practitioners, to ensure the health and well-being of our kids."  
 
Officials say the message is clear: resources are available, and no one should hesitate to reach out for help.