Social Emotional

Services

First page of the PDF file: GPS-Brochure-2024-25

Your School Social Workers, Psychologists and Student Services team are committed to supporting all students at WAHS. The social and emotional wellness of our students is of utmost importance to their overall success while they are here, and for life beyond West High.

VIRTUAL CALMING ROOM

Sometimes we can feel stressed and overwhelmed with life’s events, both big and small. The Virtual Calming Room is a place for students, staff, and families in our community to find tools and strategies for managing emotions and feelings in positive ways. Enjoy and take some time for yourself!

CHECK IT OUT

Reserve a Space at our New
WAHS Wellness Center

Student Sign-In Staff Sign-In

MENTAL WELLNESS AND SELF CARE

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

Over the course of your life, if you experience mental health problems, your thinking, mood, and behavior could be affected. Many factors contribute to mental health problems, including:

Biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry
Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse
Family history of mental health problems

Mental health problems are common but help is available. People with mental health problems can get better and many recover completely.

Coping Strategies

STRESS AND COPING CENTER:

Visit Nemours Kids stress and coping center for advice on how to handle stress, including different stressful situations.

https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/center/stress-center.html#cat20860

Coping skills are essential for good mental health and wellness. Coping skills are strategies that one utilizes to decrease the negative effects of stressful experiences.

Types of Coping Strategies include:

Mindful Breathing
Slow and steady breathing will increase oxygen to your brain and body, bringing both to a calmer state. Examples: deep breathing, breath focus

Calming self-talk
What we say to ourselves can cause us to feel more or less anxious/stressed. Stay calm and remind yourself that you CAN slow down, you CAN relax, you CAN handle it. Examples: “I can do this”, “One step at a time”.

Distractions
If you shift your focus onto something else, your mind will not be able to maintain that stressful/anxious state for long. Examples: writing, drawing, painting, listening to music, watching an engaging video/movie, employing a hobby – like photography, etc.

Social/Interpersonal
Having strong social ties helps us to navigate those stressful times. Spend time with people you enjoy. Surround yourself with positive people. Consider talking to someone you trust about what you’re experiencing.

Tension Releasing
Physical release when stress is heightened reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Examples: laughing, punching bag, progressive muscle relaxation

STRATEGIES FOR GENERAL WELLNESS:

Sleep
As important as a balanced diet and regular exercise, our bodies and minds need a full 8 hours of sleep for optimal performance. Commit to a regular sleep schedule.

Exercise
Exercising for at least 45 minutes 3 days per week reduces the level of cortisol in our bodies, increases the feel-good chemicals like serotonin and dopamine, and promotes better quality sleep.

Nutrition
You are what you eat, so be sure to indulge in plenty of fruits, vegetables, and complex carbohydrates every day. Employ the 8x8 rule for water intake - eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day.

Meditation
Mindful meditation reduces stress and improves memory, cardiovascular health, and overall wellness.

Getting Immediate Help

People often don’t get the mental health services they need because they don’t know where to start.

Talk to your primary care doctor, team of support staff in your student’s house at school or another health professional about mental health problems. Ask them to connect you with the right mental health services.

If you do not have a health professional who is able to assist you, use these resources to find help for yourself, your friends, your family, or your students.

Emergency Medical Services—911

If the situation is potentially life-threatening, get immediate emergency assistance by calling 911, available 24 hours a day.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline,
1-800-273-TALK (8255) or Live Online Chat

If you or someone you know is suicidal or in emotional distress, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Trained crisis workers are available to talk 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Your confidential and toll-free call goes to the nearest crisis center in the Lifeline national network. These centers provide crisis counseling and mental health referrals.

NATIONAL CRISIS NUMBER

Crisis Text Line is the free, 24/7, confidential text message service for people in crisis. Text HOME to 741741

Apps for Self Care

	BALANCED Track the things you wish you did more often. Be motivated to do them again and again.
	MyFitnessPal is a smartphone app and website that tracks diet and exercise to determine optimal caloric intake and nutrients for the users' goals.
	SANVELLO Symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression often arise when least expected. With Sanvello, you'll always have the right tools a tap away to relieve symptoms and feel better.
	HEADSPACE Learn to meditate in just 10 minutes a day with the Headspace app. Daily meditation has been shown to help people stress less, exercise more and even sleep better.
	HAPPIFY Happify can help reduce stress, overcome negative thoughts, and build greater resilience by providing effective tools and programs to improve emotional well-being.
	CALM The Calm app promises to help users sleep better, boost confidence and reduce stress and anxiety, all with the help of guided meditations, soothing music, and bedtime stories.

WEST HIGH GROUP COUNSELING PROGRAMS

Group counseling services can provide an opportunity for students to connect with others, gaining new perspectives and relating to peers that are going through similar experiences. Group counseling teaches students new, effective coping strategies within a group of peers, while providing connection with a supportive adult within the school community.

If you are interested in learning more about the group counseling services offered this year at West Aurora High School, please contact Michelle Voris, SAP Coordinator at mvoris@sd129.org, or contact the social worker in your assigned house.

COMMUNITY AND COUNSELING RESOURCES

While West Aurora High School does not endorse specific community agencies or therapists, we do work closely with local professionals. Feel free to use the suggestions below to help you find the right support or ask your student's counselor or social worker to help find an appropriate match.

Community

Aurora Township Library - Santori Branch
101 S River Street, Aurora, IL 60506
(630) 264-4100
www.aurorapubliclibrary.org

Services: Homework help, technology resources, book, and media borrowing. The library is open for curbside hold pickup, computer use reservations, and services are available by appointment.

Financial: No cost.

Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry
1110 Jericho Road
Aurora, IL 60507
(630) 897-2127
https://www.aurorafoodpantry.org/

Services: Groceries are distributed on Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at the free market.

First-time visitors:

During typical market days, when you arrive for your first visit, you would inform the volunteer working at the front desk that it is your first time. You will have to fill out a short form before you are registered. Please bring the following items with you:

A photo ID, such as a driver’s license, state ID, passport, or a consular ID card
A current utility bill or lease in your name or the name of someone in your household (this should have your current address on it)

After you are registered, our volunteers will assist you with your grocery shopping. If you have any questions during your time at the pantry, a staff member or volunteer will be happy to help you.

Financial: No cost.

Dominican Literacy Center
260 Vermont Street, Aurora, IL 60505
(630) 898-4636
www.domincalliteracycenter.org

Services: Teaching women to read, write and speak English.

Financial: Some minimal fees for programs. No sliding scale or insurance accepted.

NO VOLUNTEERS ARE BEING ACCEPTED RIGHT NOW

Two Rivers Head Start Agency
1661 Landmark Road, Aurora, IL 60596
(630) 264-1444
www.trhsa.org

Services: Children school readiness, emergency services, food pantry, employment services, and more listed online.

Financial: N/A

Health

VNA Dental Center
400 N. Highland Ave. 2nd floor, Aurora, IL
(630)892-4355
www.vnahealth.com

Services: Exams & X-rays;Cavity filling & extractions;Pulpotomies; Oral health education and Referrals to specialists

Financial: Medicaid accepted. (sliding scale)

VNA Health Center
400 N. Highland Avenue Aurora, IL 60506
(630) 892-4355
www.vnahealth.com

Services: School & Sports Physicals (no charge for VNA Medicaid Insurance patients); Lead screening; Acute illness treatment; Chronic Illness management; Behavioral health services. COVID-19 Testing with or without symptoms. An appointment is required before testing.

Financial: Medicare and Medicaid. Most insurance.

LGBTQ

Mental Health

AID (Association for Individual Development) Counseling
1230 N Highland Avenue, Aurora, IL 60506
(630) 859-1291

CRISIS HOTLINE: (833)-243-8398
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a weekwww.the-association.org

Services: Mental health and Developmental services at multiple locations across Aurora.

Financial: N/A

Communities in Schools
1433 Prairie Street, Aurora, IL 60506
(630) 256-4500
www.cisaurora.org

Services: In-school counseling and resource connection.

Financial: No cost.

ADJUST VOLUNTEER INFO to say: Not available at this time because of COVID19. Contact Laura Ramirez at lramirez@cisaurora.org

Depression Hotline
(630) 482-9696
(800) 273-8255

Family Counseling Services
70 S. River Street, Aurora, IL 60506
(630) 844-2662
www.aurorafcs.org

Services: Behavioral health, mentoring, continuing education. “Garage” for life skill learning. In-person and telehealth visits available.

Financial: Most insurances, including Medicaid are accepted. Sliding scale utilized.

Family Focus
550 Second Street, Aurora, IL 60505
(630) 844-2550
www.family-focus.org

Services: Contact your center directly for more information about the services offered due to COVID-19.

COVID-19 Emergency Resources:
http://www.family-focus.org/emergency-preparedness-response/emergency-resources/

Financial: N/A

Gateway Foundation
400 Mercy Lane, Aurora, IL 60506
(630)966-7466
Hotline: 877-505-4673
www.recovergateway.org

Services: Outpatient, Residential/inpatient, Bridge Program, and Aftercare. Drug Rehab Program; education groups; individual counseling; family and education counseling;Recreational and team building activities;12-step education, recovery planning.

Financial: Most insurance, including Medicaid.

Linden Oaks
801 S. Washington
Naperville, IL 60540
(630)305-5027
www.eehealth.org

Services: Inpatient and outpatient treatment and detoxification. Anxiety; Depression; Substance abuse; Prevention services; Self-Injury; School refusal/avoidance; Student intervention program; Eating Disorders

Schedule A Free Confidential Assessment: On Website or (630) 305-5027

Financial: Most Insurance, including Medicaid under age 20. For more questions regarding Financial Care, you can receive one-on-one assistance from a financial counselor to guide you through.

Mutual Ground
P.O. Box 1911
Aurora, IL 60506
www.mutualground.org

Services: 24-hour crisis line, counseling and shelter for victims of sexual and domestic violence.

Volunteer Opportunities:

We welcome high school students looking to volunteer at our organization, learn more about nonprofits, help their community and earn service hours. We are accepting new volunteers and also hosting volunteer groups. Volunteer groups are working in small numbers, socially distancing, and typically pick a project or activity that fits the group's timeline, talents and age. Due to the pandemic, we are asking for volunteers over 15 years of age at this time.

We also have a Student Advisory Board that offers a unique opportunity for high school students to get deeper involved with Mutual Ground.

Mutual Ground Student Advisory Board

Contact Julie Ford for more information. jford@mutualground.org 630.897.0084 ext 104

Financial: No cost.

National Youth Crisis Hotline
(800) 442-4673

Oak Heart
66 Miller Drive, Suite 105
North Aurora, IL 60542
630-570-0050

Services: Counseling services for anxiety, depression, eating disorders, trauma, and more. In-person and telehealth visits are available.

Financial: Most insurances accepted, depending on the plan

AMITA Behavioral Health
1325 N Highland Avenue, Aurora, IL 60506
(630) 801-2556
https://www.amitahealth.org

Services: Inpatient and outpatient facility and ADHD/Learning Disabilities program.

Financial: Most insurances, including Medicaid are accepted. Offers financial assistance.

Rosecrance
2135 City Gate lane, Suite 300, Naperville, IL 50563
(815) 391-1000
www.rosecrance.org

Services:

Substance Abuse and Mental Health; education, individual, and family support. Naperville Office- Prevention and Early Intervention Program: Assessment, three class sessions, and a urine screen. Other locations- Residential, Partial Hospitalization, Outpatient, and Recovery Homes.

RGW Mental Health Program
Rosecrance Chicagoland Locations

Suicide Hotline
(800) suicide or 784-2433
(800) 273-8255

https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/help-yourself/youth/

Suicide Prevention Services
528 S. Batavia Avenue, Batavia, IL 60510
General Agency: (630) 482-9699
Hotline: (630) 482-9696
www.spsamerica.org

Services: Prevention, intervention, and postvention suicide services. Services offered in-school or at agency locations. Individual counseling, groups, and hotline available. Telehealth appointments are also available.

Financial: Insurances accepted decided on a case-by-case basis. Medicaid is not accepted. Sliding scale utilized.

Volunteer Opportunities: Available. Contact the SPS team by calling the agency and asking to speak with them. Students 18+ can volunteer at the hotline and other projects are available throughout the year for younger students.

Taking Control
106 S. Lincolnway, North Aurora, IL 60542
(630) 454-1514
www.takingcontrolcounseling.com

Services: Individual and family counseling. Accepts all clients regardless of ability to pay.

TriCity Family Services
1120 Randall Court
Geneva, IL 60134
(630) 232-1070
www.tricityfamilyservices.org

Services: Counseling, eating disorder treatment, support groups, ADHD track, and more.
Volunteer Opportunities: Available. Contact Michelle Rollins at 630-232-1070 or
mrollins@tricityfamilyservices.org.

Financial: Most insurances, including Medicaid are accepted. Sliding scale utilized.

Mentorship

Boys 2 Men
150 W Illinois Ave, Aurora, IL 60506
Clayton Muhammed
(630) 774-9306

Services: Peer to peer mentoring for boys grades 8-12.

Volunteer Opportunities: Not available.

Financial: No cost.

Family Counseling Services & 1-2-1 Mentoring
70 S. River Street, Aurora, IL 60506
(630) 844-2662
www.aurorafcs.org

Services: Behavioral health, mentoring, continuing education. “Garage” for life skill learning.

Financial: Most insurances, including Medicaid are accepted. Sliding scale utilized.

Substance Abuse

West Aurora schools has established a partnership with Breaking Free, Inc. in Aurora in an effort to facilitate direct access to substance abuse services to our students and their families who are struggling with substance use and addiction. Breaking Free, Inc. has been providing continuing care services to individuals in the Aurora and surrounding communities for over 40 years. They offer outpatient counseling and education to individuals struggling with abuse of alcohol and drugs. For more information, please contact Michelle Voris, SAP Coordinator at mvoris@sd129.org.

Alateen
If you are affected by a parent or relative’s use of ALCOHOL or DRUGS … Alateen is here for you!

Join other teens who feel the same way you feel. At ALATEEN we learn to cope. We gain strength and hope through other people’s experiences – and end up feeling better about our own situation.

Meetings are held every Saturday, 10:30-11:30am
Batavia 12 Step Club
8 E. Wilson Street
Batavia, IL
(enter in back of the building, lower level)

Or you can participate via Zoom using the following link:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81134327343?pwd=YTRRaG0xeGVpSDlqRDhNZTVDR2F1Zz09

Meeting ID: 811 3432 7343
Passcode: 327782

Your Choice to Live, Inc.
Provides drug and alcohol prevention education, intervention, and support programs to students, parents, teachers, and community members:

https://www.yourchoicetolive.org/

Amita-Mercy Behavioral Health
(630)801-2657

Linden Oaks
(630)305-5027|
https://www.eehealth.org

Services: Assessment, Treatment, Counseling

Rosecrance
(815)391-1000
https://rosecrance.org

Services: Assessment, Treatment

Alcohol Abuse & Crisis Intervention Hotline
(630) 234-0246

Alcoholics Anonymous
(312) 346-1475
www.aa.org

Services: Support Group for adults struggling with alcohol dependence.

Financial: No cost.

Breaking Free, Inc
(630)897-1003
www.breakingfreeinc.org

Services: Assessment, Treatment, Counseling
Breaking Free Brochure
Breaking Free Info

Financial: Blue-Cross Blue-Shield PPO and Medicaid accepted. Sliding scale utilized.

Care Clinics Inc.
522 North Lake St
Aurora, IL, 60506
(630)896-4650
Typically Same-Day Appointments
https://www.careclinicsinc.com/

Services: Alcohol/Drug and DUI Services, Alcohol and Drug Testing, Anger Management Evaluations, Education and Counseling, Drivers License Reinstatement

Volunteer Opportunities: None

Financial: No Insurance needed. They accept, Cash, Visa, Mastercard, Debit, American Express, and Discover

Family Counseling Services
(630)844-2662
www.aurorafcs.org

Services: Assessment, Counseling

Child Care

IDHS
https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30355

The Illinois Department of Human Services' (IDHS) Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) and your local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency are working together to support families to get the information and resources the need to find and select the best child care for their child.

Fox Valley Park District
Cole Center Administration Office
101 W. Illinois Ave.
Aurora, IL 60506
630-897-0516
https://www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org/ecare/

Services: E-care, childcare by the day (full or half-day), or by the week.

Financial: Per-day or by week cost is associated with care. Scholarships are available for those who qualify.

Tyson Taekwondo
984 N Lake St.
Aurora, IL 60506
630-347-6351
Tysonmartialarts.com

Services: After school program. Various martial arts programming.

Financial: Cost is determined based on program chosen, reach out for more information.

Constitution Kindercare
80 S Constitution Dr.
Aurora, IL 60506
630-906-6582
kindercare.com/our-centers/aurora/il/301501

Services: Infant, Toddler, Early education, preschool, kindergarten and more programs are available.