As school counselors, one of our responsibilities is to help connect our families with information, services, and resources they need. On this page, you will find numerous counseling resources. Please contact your child's school counselor if you are not able to locate the information you need.
1. Community Counseling Resources
The following organizations are recommended by the District's school counselors:
- Winding Creek Counseling Services
- 100 Winding Creek Boulevard, Suite 3
- Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
- 717-590-7283
- Laurel Life (Outpatient Services)
- 550 Shermans Valley Road
- New Bloomfield, PA 17068
- 717-582-9924
- Leedy Abbey Counseling Services
- 781 Poplar Church Road
- Camp Hill, PA 17011
- 717-241-2345
- Pennsylvania Counseling Services - West Shore Area
- 445 Gettysburg Pike
- Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
- 717-795-8363
2. Suicide Prevention
School Counselors understand the threat of suicide among children and adolescents and as such, strive to stay informed and up-to-date on information relating to signs, symptoms, resources, and best practices.
Common Warning Signs:
- Suicidal statements
- Preoccupation with death in writing, drawing, or conversation
- Withdrawing from friends, family, or activities they used to enjoy
- Aggressive or hostile behavior
- Giving away belongings
- Change in personality
- Neglecting personal appearance
- Risk-taking behavior
This is not a comprehensive list. Please click here for more information on warning signs, prevention, and other resources from the Suicide & Crisis Prevention Lifeline.
If you or a loved one are experiencing a crisis situation, free, confidential support is available 24/7 by contacting the following organizations:
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 988
- Cumberland/Perry County Crisis Intervention - 717-763-2222
- Crisis Text Line - Text "HOME" to 741741
3. Food Resources
If your student is receiving free or reduced lunches and has a need for other food items during school closings, breaks, or weekends, please contact your child's school counselor.
For long-term needs, please explore the Perry County Food Bank website.
4. Self-Care Apps, Websites, and Resources
- Breathe2Relax - Breathe2Relax is a hands-on diaphragmatic breathing exercise. Breathing exercises have been documented to decrease the body's 'fight-or-flight' response, and help with mood stabilization, anger control, and anxiety management.
- MindShift CBT (Anxiety Relief) - for iPhone and Android devices, is designed to provide you with tools for managing various types of anxiety, including test anxiety, perfectionism, social anxiety, performance anxiety, worry, panic, and conflict.
- Breathe (Stop Panic Attack) - is a free app that offers self-help methods to control panic and anxiety. The info in this app assumes that you are suffering from panic attacks due to Panic Disorder. It may not be applicable to other forms of anxiety. It focuses on the fear of having a panic attack and the fear of the sensations when having a panic.
- MoodGYM - MoodGYM is an internet based Cognitive Behavioral treatment for Depression developed by a psychologist. Create an account and follow the treatment plan. This is an excellent tool to use in conjunction with in person therapy.
- DBT Coach - this iPhone and Android app is designed to help you cope with overwhelming emotions and impulsive behaviors. It will also assist with relationships and help you cultivate mindfulness.
- Headspace: Mindful Meditation - for iPhone and Android devices, is meditation made relevant to modern life. Get unique daily guided meditations, science facts and figures and progress reports, all designed to make it as easy as possible for you to get some calm and clarity.
- Nature Soundscapes - this free app lets you choose from a list of 6 different good quality nature relaxing sounds (sounds of nature) which include thunder, ocean sounds, sea, birds sounds, rain, night in jungle, water sounds, waterfall, nature and start your personal audio therapy.
- A Friend Asks - this iPhone and Android app offers tips for getting help for a friend (or yourself) with suicidal thoughts. Helpful information includes what to do RIGHT NOW as well as what NOT to do.
- ReliefLink - this award-winning suicide prevention iPhone app assists users with tracking daily mood/thoughts, creating a safety plan, locating the nearest hospitals, and obtaining quick-access to coping methods.
- Virtual Hope Box - this iPhone and Android app helps with coping relaxation, distraction from overwhelming emotion, and positive thinking. You can personalize the content on the app to meet your specific needs.
*If you do not see information that meets your needs, please contact your child's school counselor.*