May 2017


13 Reasons...                     
   
Earlier this month, I was part of several text messages from some eighth-grade parents.  The texts were about a relatively new series on Netflix called "13 Reasons Why."  It is based on a book of the same title written by Jay Asher.  The series details the life of a teenage girl who commits suicide and her 13 reasons why.  I must admit, I'm not as current as I probably should be with youth media so I was really shocked to learn that this book touches on most of the areas essential to our work at the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay:  trauma, bullying, rape, and suicide.  The other parents were also pretty shocked to learn about the subject matter of this series.  So, I decided to ask my 14-year-old son, Corey, if he had heard of it and not only was he familiar with the series, but he had watched all 13 episodes!  Since May is mental health awareness month and in light of the popularity of "13 Reasons Why", I thought this was a great opportunity for me to highlight how the Crisis Center's services and programs can help children, teens, youth and adults cope with life's challenges.

You all are aware that the Crisis Center is the community's Gateway to help, hope and healing through our 2-1-1 phone number.  Every day, trained intervention specialists are available to provide information and referral, offer trauma informed crisis counseling and support to anyone regardless of their issues.  Whether it is bullying, school pressures, problems at home or work, our Gateway staff is here and available.  I also want you to know we also have texting/chatting capability if you don't want to speak with someone on the phone.  For those who need more help, we have supports like our bullying prevention project - BRIDGES, our teen and young adult mental health program - Healthy Transitions and our Suicide Prevention Services.  All of these programs and services can provide more in depth and long term support.  Interventions can be telephonic or face to face - whatever is needed to keep you safe.

Again, you all know the Crisis Center's Sexual Assault Services program is the community's certified rape crisis center.  As such, we can offer medical, advocacy and therapeutic services to anyone who has been sexually assaulted no matter whether the assault happened 2 hours ago, 2 years ago or 2 decades ago.   Please know that if you or anyone you know has experienced a sexual assault, we are here for whatever you need to transition from a sexual assault victim to a sexual assault survivor!

Finally, the Corbett Trauma Center is available to any and every one in our community who has experienced a trauma.  The trauma can be from bullying, rape, physical, sexual or emotional abuse, assault, suicide or any other event or experience that causes physical, emotional or psychological harm.  Using techniques that have been scientifically proven to work, we can help you FEEL BETTER!

So, if you plan to or have watched/read "13 Reasons Why", know that no one in our community has to face a crisis alone.  The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay is the community's Gateway to help, hope and healing not only during Mental Health Awareness month, but every day of the year.

Clara