Hoover Counseling Department
Dear Hoover Families,
We know that being home from school and practicing social distancing can be difficult for families. Also, we are all worried about the COVID-19 virus and what it means for our community. This worry is not only felt by adults; children and teens know something is going on, they are also watching the news. Frequently they get information from untrustworthy and sensational news sources. Please talk to your student(s) about what they are hearing and seeing to help them make good informed decisions and to help with anxiety.
Below are some links from the APS counseling department for resources to help your family during this time. We have also included some tabs with mindfulness exercises and some exercises you can do when you or your student are feeling anxious.
Despite the closure of the school buildings, we are still here for your student. While we cannot check our work voice mail from home, we will be checking our emails during normal school hours and will get back to you as soon as we can. bethany.headley@aps.edu and rosemary.castillo@aps.edu. Mrs. Headley also has a Google voice number you can call from 9 to 2 every day, 505-750-4162. Please reach out as concerns arise.
Good luck and good mental health!
Bethany Headley (8th grade counselor) & Rosemary Castillo (6/7th grade counselor)
New Mexico Crisis and Access Line
During this time they are up and running to help support you and your family. They are a great resource when there is no counseling help available, especially in crisis situations.
NMConnect APP
The state of New Mexico has launched NMConnect, a new phone app that provides free 24-hour crisis and non-crisis support and access to behavioral health professionals who can text or talk via phone with individuals needing a listening ear or referrals to longer-term support. The app links users to the New Mexico Crisis Access Line (NMCAL), which provides safety net services statewide. NMCAL is still available via phone 24/7 toll-free by calling 1-855-NMCRISIS (1-855-662-7474).
“As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to force physical isolation, many people may experience challenging behavioral health symptoms, some perhaps for the first time. This app connects to NMCAL, which is a one stop shop for any and all behavioral health resources across the state of New Mexico,” said Bryce Pittenger, CEO of the New Mexico Behavioral Health Collaborative.
The NMConnect app will help close gaps in access to behavioral health services by providing direct contact to professionals. NMConnect also provides resources including self-care tips for people in recovery from substance use and other behavioral health challenges, and information on COVID-19 and New Mexico’s response.
The NMConnect app, available now for iPhone andAndroid, includes a “one touch” button for connection to a mental health professional on the State of New Mexico’s 24-hour crisis and access hotline. For non-crisis support, including help finding a therapist or support group, or to just to engage with someone that has been there, the “Text Warmline” option connects people to a certified peer support specialist for non-emergency support (available from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.) and a “Call Warmline” option is available for peer to peer phone conversations with someone in recovery from their own mental health diagnosis, (available from 3:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.). All are accessible via the app from any cellular smartphone.
About the New Mexico Behavioral Health Collaborative: The New Mexico Behavioral Health Collaborative is a legislatively mandated collaboration of Behavioral Health related cabinet secretaries, several state agencies and multiple resources across state government that are involved in behavioral health prevention, treatment, and recovery. This cabinet-level group represents 15 state agencies and the Governor’s office. https://www.hsd.state.nm.us/behavioral-health-collaborative.aspx.
Important safety numbers
If you are in an unsafe environment due to domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
The Child Abuse Hotline can be reached at 505-841-6100.
For Adult Protective Services, contact 505-476-4912.
The Agora Center is available at 505-277-3013.