Brookline Community Mental Health Center Helping Brookline Cope

The Brookline Community Mental Health Center is offering free “Drop In” mental health hours to anyone in Brookline who would like help processing the events surrounding the bombings at the Boston Marathon.

“There is a tremendous community need for mental health support this week, and the Brookline Center has been responding in many directions,” Nancy Vineberg said. “From spending Monday locating Team Brookline runners and connecting them with families and services to now working with Town health officials and agencies to provide aftermath support for first responders to anticipating the needs of schools when they come back into session next week, it’s been a time of intensity in mental health services.”

Local mental health professionals have mobilized to support the community in response to the bombings at the Boston Marathon finish line.  Clinicians at the Brookline Community Mental Health Center are reaching out through local agencies and providing drop-in and call-in services at the Brookline Center itself. Members of the Brookline community, including both adults and children, residents and employees, who would like additional support in coping with these events can talk with or arrange to meet with staff at the Brookline Center by calling 617-277-8107.

Although Brookline public schools are on vacation this week, Brookline Center clinicians are visiting with staff and students at some of the area’s independent schools, and the Center is in contact with the Brookline Schools to determine resources for the return to school next week.

The Brookline Center invites community members to come into its offices at 41 Garrison Road in Washington Square on Thursday, April 18 at noon to 2 p.m. or 6 to 8 p.m., or on Friday, April 19 from 9 to 11 a.m. for special “Drop-In” hours during which they may speak with a clinician and get support.  Town residents and employees can also make an appointment at the Brookline Center at other times or speak to a clinician by phone, by calling 617-277-8107. As is its norm, Brookline Community Mental Health Center serves individuals and families regardless of ability to pay.

Dr. Henry White, the Brookline Center’s clinical director, notes, “The Marathon was supposed to be a safe place, where we go to celebrate the runners and community. The bombing and its images have evoked many emotions—sadness, grief, helplessness, anxiety, and anger.  These reactions are normal, and yet sometimes they can affect our behavior, our ability to function, and our overall sense of well-being.  

”The Brookline Community Mental Health Center joined three other Brookline non-profits – Brookline Library Foundation, Brookline Education Foundation, and Brookline Teen Center -- in partnering with the Town of Brookline to field Team Brookline, a charity team on behalf of social services throughout the Town.  “We are relieved and grateful that all 26 Team Brookline runners, their coaches, and their families are all safe,” says Nancy Vineberg, Vice President of Development for the Brookline Center. “Team Brookline brought our community together around a good cause, and now we see the strength of that connection as we come together amid our complex emotions about what has happened.”

Children, in particular, are vulnerable and may turn to trusted adults for help and guidance in the coming days and weeks.  Dr. White says, “Reinforcing safety after this tragedy is important with children.  It’s common for young people to feel anxious about what has happened.”

The Brookline Center suggests the following approaches recommended by The National Child and Traumatic Stress Network for parents to use in helping their children.  Many of these are useful for adults as well.   

·  Start the conversation. Talk about the incident with your child. Silence suggests that what has occurred is too terrible even to speak about or that you do not know what has happened.

·  What does your child already know? Ask what your child/teen already has heard about the events from the media and from friends. Listen carefully; try to figure out what he or she knows or believes.

·  Gently correct inaccurate information. If your child/teen has inaccurate information or misconceptions, take time to provide the correct information in simple, clear, age-appropriate language.

·  Encourage your child to ask questions, and answer those questions directly. Your child/teen may ask if it is possible that an event like this could happen again; she may really be asking whether it is “likely” and, ultimately, if she is safe. Answer what our child asks while striving not to add unnecessary facts and initiate new concerns. This may also be a time to review plans your family has for keeping safe in the event of anycrisis. Like adults, children/teens are better able to cope with a difficult situation when they have the facts.

·  Limit media exposure do not allow your very young children to see or hear any TV/radio shooting-related messages. Even if they appear to be engrossed in play, children often are aware of what you are watching on TV or listening to on the radio. Limit your own exposure as well. Adults may become more distressed with nonstop exposure to media coverage of the Marathon aftermath. 

·  Be a positive role model. You may share some worry, but it is important to also share ideas for coping with difficult situations like this tragedy. When you speak of the quick response by law enforcement and medical personnel to help the victims, you help your child/teen see that there can be good, even in the midst of such a horrific event.

Dr. White explains, “In general, you should see emotional reactions in yourself and your children lessen within a few weeks. Should reactions continue or at any point interfere with you or your children’s ability to function or if you are worried, please contact local mental health professionals or your children’s pediatrician.”