CYN Counseling Center helps teens with mental health
In response to the exploding needs for mental health support for youth, CYN Counseling Center has announced the success of its second annual Growing Resilient Teens program.
Held at Prairie Crossing Farm, in collaboration with the Liberty Prairie Foundation, this program teaches interpersonal skills and farming techniques to at-risk middle and high school students.
Group members have met twice weekly since August and enjoy activities integrating farming activities with therapeutic support. Staff from CYN and the Liberty Prairie Foundation collaborate to plan activities such as learning how to shovel and spread mulch to prevent weeds, while also learning how to be better communicators.
The Growing Resilient Teens program gives at-risk teens a safe place to get away from stressors in their lives. It allows youth to make meaningful connections with other kids, as well as positive adult supports, two things needed by kids after several years behind screens due to the pandemic.
Some of the social/emotional skills that the students work on in the program are self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship building, and responsible decision-making. Youth in the program report that having a calming place during their week has allowed them to process their emotions from the past few difficult years.
"Growing Resilient Teens helps youth gain coping skills to deal with their emotions and become more resilient as they move toward their futures," CYN Executive Director Gail Weil said.
"We are so thankful to be able to provide innovative and impactful programs to the Lake County community."
The Growing Resilient Teens program runs in the spring and fall.
"We know the healing power of land and growing food and want to share it with youth in our community who can benefit," Liberty Prairie Foundation Director of Education Eric Carlberg said.
"Also, we believe that spreading knowledge of how plants and food grows makes people more thoughtful citizens."
CYN Counseling Center is a Lake County nonprofit community counseling agency. For over 40 years, their mission has remained to preserve and strengthen families while protecting children from abusive or high-risk situations.
CYN works to transform the lives of the most vulnerable and at-risk youth, families and adults and collaborate with area organizations to address complicated issues and create lasting change.
CYN Counseling Center provides general counseling services and specialized services in the areas of:
• Counseling and Psychotherapy
• Comprehensive Youth Services
• Sexual, Physical and Emotional Abuse
• Abuse and Neglect Services
• Child Sexual Abuse Prevention
• Family Preservation
• Delinquency Prevention
• Addiction Services
• School Based Counseling Programs
• Group Counseling (Adults and Teens)
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