The Legal Kid Foundation proudly announces our partnership with Brinkley Brown Mental Wellness, based in the Raleigh-Durham area. Together, we are committed to addressing the critical role of mental health in the school-to-prison pipeline. We believe that mental health issues should not hinder a child’s education, leading to chronic absenteeism, lower academic achievement, and an increased risk of dropping out. We’re determined to break down the barriers that can push children into the criminal justice system.
Our Mission:
Through our partnership with Brinkley Brown Mental Wellness, we are taking concrete steps to break the school-to-prison pipeline by:
Educational Programs: Offering educational programs for children, parents, and school staff to increase awareness and understanding of mental health issues, reduce stigma, and foster empathy.
Resources and Training: Providing resources and training for educators and parents to recognize the signs of mental health challenges in children and how to respond effectively.
School Partnerships: Collaborating with schools to implement mental health programming within the educational environment, focusing on early intervention and support.
Anti-Bullying Initiatives: Developing anti-bullying programs that emphasize the importance of fostering a supportive and inclusive school environment.
Peer Mentorship: Promoting peer mentorship and support programs where older students can help younger peers facing mental health challenges.
Coping Strategies: Offering programs that teach children coping strategies, emotional regulation, and resilience skills to better manage their mental health.
Extracurricular Activities: Providing extracurricular activities and workshops that focus on building self-esteem, social skills, and emotional intelligence.
Creative & Expressive Arts Group:
As part of our efforts, we are currently offering a Creative & Expressive Arts Group for children and adolescents. These meetings are led by two licensed clinicians and our Creative Projects Assistant. Our group sessions follow a social-emotional learning curriculum while integrating art, crafts, music, role-play, conversation, games, and psycho-education.
Participants in the Creative & Expressive Arts Group:
- Meet in a safe and relaxed environment to express their thoughts and feelings about their day with peers while receiving support and giving support to others.
- Learn and practice coping skills to manage emotions.
- Have the opportunity to socialize outside of school, make friends, and be part of a team in a face-to-face setting.
- Create something positive and “pay it forward” to members of our community.
- Reflect on how the group project positively impacted their mood, self-esteem, self-confidence, and social-emotional skill set.
- Grow and build resilience while having fun with peers.
About Brinkley Brown Mental Wellness:
Brinkley Brown Mental Wellness PLLC provides outpatient therapy, medication, hypnotherapy, and life coaching throughout North Carolina. Our team includes a diverse group of clinicians with various academic backgrounds and training, including Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialists, EMDR Certified Clinicians, Certified Hypnotherapists, Life Coaches, and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners.
Accessibility and Affordability:
To increase accessibility to mental health services, many of our providers are available in the early morning and evenings to accommodate work and school schedules. We offer both in-office and telehealth sessions. In addition, we accept most major insurances, including BCBS, State Health Plan, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Medcost, and Medicare. Our group therapy sessions are usually very affordable and provide benefits beyond those realized in individual therapy.
get involved
If you are located in the Raleigh-Durham area and would like your child to participate in the Creative & Expressive Arts Group or seek individual or family counseling, please contact us at info@thelegalkidfoundation or click on the link here to learn more.
Seeking Help for Suicidal Thoughts:
If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide or in crisis, please don’t hesitate to reach out for help. You are not alone, and there are professionals and resources available to provide support. Here are some important resources:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) 24/7 for free and confidential support. This lifeline connects you with trained crisis counselors who can provide assistance.
Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” to 741741 to reach a crisis counselor through text messaging. This service is available 24/7 and provides support for those in crisis.
Emergency Services: If you believe there is an immediate threat to someone’s safety, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.