Mental Health Program a Lifesaver for Some Students

By Susan E. White, The Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk, Va.

Feb. 20–VIRGINIA BEACH — Kijuan Broomfield slumped in his chair, yanked his arms inside his long-sleeved T-shirt and flopped them by his sides.

“When he’s not doing well, he tries to hide inside his clothing,” assessed Angela Kelly, supervisor for the city’s Therapeutic After-School Respite Program.

Kijuan, one of 12 children enrolled in the mental health program, had been pleasant nearly 40 minutes earlier. The 8-year-old had cheerfully read a book on Siberian huskies and worked diligently on his math homework.

That was before being reminded that he still needed to complete an English assignment. Kijuan sat stoically, staring at a list of spelling words he had been directed to write into sentences.

“I don’t want to doooo this,” he whined.

Kijuan needed space, Kelly determined. Sometimes, that’s all a child needed.

Kelly and her staff of three mental health assistants should know. Every day, they work with seriously emotionally disturbed youth, including children diagnosed with depression, bipolar disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

“A lot of our kids have aggressive behaviors,” Kelly said . “They’ve been suspended or they haven’t been successful with other after-school programs or recreation programs.”

Many also haven’t been successful in the classroom, where teachers often juggle the needs of 25 or more students.

The city’s therapeutic program works with children ages 6 to 16, helping them improve academically, socially and behaviorally. The free program, which offers students more personal attention, also gives parents a temporary break from caring for a child with extra emotional needs.

Selected children must be clients of the city’s mental health department and can enroll for one year. The time limit is partly based on the need to help other children.

About 16 boys and girls can be served at any given time. Usually, at least 12 other children are waiting to get in. The program has been down a staff member lately, so class sizes have been smaller. City officials have been searching for a larger space to relocate the program, which is housed in two mobile classrooms at Princess Anne High School.

Though Kelly’s staff doesn’t track the children once they leave the program, parents say it works.

Before enrolling last year, Erin Pettibon struggled in school and with controlling her anger, said her mother, Brenda Pettibon. The third-grader recently made the principal’s list and has learned to “follow the rules,” she said.

“This has been a lifesaver,” Pettibon said.

The after-school program resembles others. Children arrive. They have a snack. They work on homework. They make crafts, and they play.

Infused in between are “life skills” lessons, such as the importance of raising hands before speaking, taking turns and following directions.

“Let’s go,” Kelly urged Matthew White , 8, who lingered near the classroom door Thursday, slurping from a juice bag.

Kelly raised an eyebrow and then began to count. Matthew sipped on. She gestured for the boy to come to a table. Matthew complied.

“A lot of what we do is very subtle,” Kelly explained. “It’s a safe training ground for children to work on their cooperation skills. Through recreation, they learn that it’s good to become a team player and that you’re not always going to win.”

Staff members also encourage a heavy dose of reading to help with self-esteem. Each day, children read a book aloud.

Still, there are days when some struggle to abide by the rules.

Midway through Thursday’s class, Kijuan was still battling to perk up. So Kelly decided to change his scenery.

Hand in hand, they walked outdoors. They watched the high school students mill about. They chatted about Kijuan’s worries. T hey played a game of “Who can take the biggest step?” in the parking lot.

Ten minutes later, Kijuan was back at his table, his pencil working furiously on his English homework.

“We just had to clear out the cobwebs,” Kelly said.

By day’s end, Kijuan was laughing with other children and eager to head for the playground.

Though each child enters with different emotional problems, the daily goal is the same, said Leah Vaughan , a mental health assistant.

“You see them, and they’re not having the best day,” she said. “But then they leave with a smile, and you know you’ve done your job.”

Reach Susan E. White at (757) 222-5114 or susan.white@pilotonline.com.

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk, Va.

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