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Ettie Lee Youth & Family Services BLOG First hand
stories, written by our volunteers, staff, clients or donors, are an authentic way to show the human impact of the work we do. March 2021 Ettie Lee Cares About Your Mental Health As we speedily approach the one year-anniversary of our first COVID-19 lockdown, many of us are hitting a wall, and with good reason. Even in the face of unstable living conditions, economic insecurity, and countless deaths of our loved ones, people are still being expected to continue work as usual. Maintaining high levels of productivity with low levels of social interaction have taken its toll on the mental health of many Americans. This past fall, a study of almost 190 million emergency room visits found that emergency room cases related to mental health conditions, suicide attempts, drug overdose, and parental abuse were significantly greater during the pandemic than in years past. People, now more than ever, are feeling isolated and unheard. For healthcare workers however, mental health issues can get even more complicated. Healthcare workers are hurting the most this past year. In a survey conducted by The Mental Health of America, approximately 90% of all healthcare workers are experiencing stress, anxiety, and frustration during work while 50% reported changes in appetite and their sleep schedule. Most discouragingly, 39% of all healthcare providers feel as though they are not receiving an adequate level of emotional support. It makes sense with the influx of patients, the social isolation and the increase of work hours that healthcare workers are unable to get their emotional needs met.  (Source: United Nations COVID-19 Response Team) The Rise of Online Therapy In this current situation, resources like therapy and counseling have become paramount in the maintenance of one’s mental health. The therapy system has begun to adapt to the needs of the pandemic. Virtual therapy and online mental healthcare services have begun to become more commonplace. In a New York Times interview, Mindy Heintskill, the chief growth officer of MDLive, a telehealth provider with more than 62 million members in the United States, has gone on record stating that their online therapy and psychiatric care services have “increased fivefold in 2020 compared with 2019.” Despite online therapy’s rise in popularity, there are still many inequities within the mental healthcare system in regards to issues such as affordability. Luckily nonprofit organizations and government agencies like Ettie Lee Youth and Family Services have stepped up to provide better help to those in need. “It contributes to our whole wellbeing,” says Ettie Lee’s Director of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Tobi Nishikawa. “With the rise in anxiety, depression, and even suicide, (therapy) is more important now than ever before”. Ettie Lee Youth and Family Services is offering free telehealth services to healthcare workers that are living or working in Los Angeles County and do not have access to health insurance or affordable mental healthcare. This short-term telehealth service allows anyone with the aforementioned qualifications to meet with a licensed therapist absolutely free. Nishikawa states “They’re on the frontlines and being exposed to the trauma... and there are long term impacts that come with that. In order to help others, (healthcare workers) must be able to get help themselves.” Additionally, Ettie Lee is also offering free telehealth services to anyone living or working in the Los Angeles area without access to insurance. For more information contact Ettie Lee at (909) 620-2521.  September 2016 Bruce C., 12 years old, was very scared and in rage with the
whole world – feelings he had every right to after what life had put him
through. Bruce and his younger five siblings were removed from their parents
due to domestic violence and substance use. And to make matters worse all
of the siblings were placed in different foster homes. Ettie Lee provided
love and care for him at the Diamond L home for just about 2 months.
During that time he opened up and felt comfortable enough to talk about
his rage. Unfortunately his rage was out of control and his social worker
determined that he would benefit from a higher level of care. We very much
wanted to continue to work with him, but we could not provide the 24 hour
one-on-one watch for him that he needed. Once Bruce was living in his new
home, we received the ultimate feedback from his social worker who remarked
that she would refer other clients to Ettie Lee.
August 17, 2016 Mario G., age 17 reunified with his grandfather in July
2016. When Mario came to live with us at the Mt. Jurupa home in February
2016 he had a lengthy criminal history -- robbery, possession of ammunition,
grand theft auto and drug use. He also had a history of running away from
home and other group homes. He really struggled at first, but that was
normal and understandable. He had to get adjusted, feel the warmth, the support
and security he had with his “Team” before settling down and opening up. Within
four months, he was on the right track. The team ( Probation Officer,
Social Worker, Therapist, Child Care Worker, Rehab Specialist, Drug and Alcohol Counselor) supported him as he improved at school, then he changed the way he
dressed and presented himself – sharing that he wanted to change his look
and style, and that he didn’t want to “run with hommies any more”.
He made up his mind--he wanted to go back home to grandpa and volunteer in
church, where he “could be with family and feel great.” Prior to going
home he reminded us that he will never forget his “Ettie Lee” family. Was
he perfect when he left? No, but when he cursed, he would catch himself,
and with a smile, exclaim, “my bad, I guess I still need to work on language.” This is awareness! This is success! In his last Team meeting, Mario’s
grandfather happily shared that he was happy and proud to have him back and
remarked that he was certain that this time round, it is going to work!  August 5, 2016 I came from a broken home when I was 13 years old. After spending my life with
numerous stepfathers who were physically and emotionally brutal to us, I was
placed in the Ettie Lee home in Fontana in 1969. My experience with living
beside my new brothers (15 of us lived there) who were from different races,
religions, and socio-economic backgrounds assisted me
to become the man who I am today. Learning to live and get along with
others, and how to live in a family environment were lessons that had lifelong
effects. I am now 60 years old with two children and six
grandchildren. I work in administration at a community college and have
been in higher education for the past 23 years. Thank you Ettie Lee for
showing me love when I didn’t even know what love was.”
David Pearse
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