Mental Health Awareness Month at Long Island City High School

Through the New York City Community Schools initiative, Long Island City High School and Zone 126 have been able to work in collaboration with the Child Center of NY (CCNY) to establish the Wellness Clinic. With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, its fitting to highlight, our successful three-year collaboration efforts.

The Wellness Clinic is fully integrated into the fabric of the school, and both Ms. Triana, LCSW and Ms. Chua, LCSW who are licensed clinicians along with a Youth Advocate and a Social Work Intern work closely with teachers, guidance counselors and social workers to ensure students are supported. The clinic is a safe-space, conducive of providing students with the opportunity to meet one on one with clinicians, have small group discussions, and provide professional development to help destigmatize the perception around Mental Health and receiving support services.

In recognizing the importance around providing students support, the Community Schools Team also felt it was critical to provide a space for staff members to support their own holistic well being. The Serenity Space which opened up on Tuesday, May 29, 2018 provides school staff a place where they can go to practice their own mindfulness techniques and get in tuned with themselves. The Serenity Space is designed to be a calm space that allows individuals the opportunity to engage their five senses, comfortable chairs, serene foliage, a waterfall, adjustable lighting, and aromatherapy all make up the welcoming environment of this space.

Principal Selenikas praised the Serenity Space, saying, “The LICHS Serenity Space is a tribute to the need of all staff for a space in our school that supports introspection, reflection and focus for all adults in our school. I appreciate the support of Zone 126 in collaborating and supporting us to make our LICHS days peaceful and serene.”