Hi. I’m Jessica. Please, don’t call authorities yet. I want help, I really do, but I’m scared of getting the cops involved. It’s difficult to explain, but it’s something that hurts me. Me going into a foster home, being separated from my brother, my dad, other family members. It’s nerve wrecking. I just need someone I can talk to who is professional, and then we can see about getting the cops involved.

I just really don’t know what to do. I want someone professional that I can talk to, but thinking about the authorities scares me.

I’m aware that it’s not normal. I’m aware that my entire family situation is abusivd/dysfunctional. It’s just scary getting the cops involved.

Dear Jessica,

First I want to say how brave you are in sharing this with us. Just know that you are not alone on this journey. All the participants here want to breathe and walk with you.

I searched online and hope that you can use some of the resources below. Hopefully, you can connect with a professional soon and resolve this very difficult situation.

1. Children’s Aid Society has some Community Based Health Centres that you maybe able to connect for mental health & teen health services. Here’s the link to the address & phone numbers: http://www.childrensaidsociety.org/health-counseling/health-services-locations

2. Some outpatient mental health clinics for ages 6 and up that is dedicated to provide affordable care:
http://newyorkcity.ny.networkofcare.org/mh/services/subcategory.aspx?tax=RP-1400.2500

3. For some individual child/adolescent psychotherapists in New York, here is a listing. You may want to call first and see what their rates are because it can cost a lot of money to see them: https://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/prof_results.php?city=New+York&spec=5

Do you have any close friends in college that you can perhaps room with? If the situation worsens, that could be a temporary solution while you sort out the issues.

Don’t be afraid to ask the professionals your high-level questions before meeting them and also ask about confidentiality (e.g will your case be reported to authorities, how to handle your brother’s situation).

We’d like to hear from you again to see how things work out. Please take good care of yourself. We are here in spirit for you.

Sincerely,
Jennifer

Dear Jessica,

Thanks for responding. I’ve skimmed through and found a few that are near Brooklyn Crown Heights. You can call and tell them about your situation & see if you can get free consultation:

1. Beverley Mack Harry
http://www.bmhtherapy.org/index.htm
738 Crown Street, Brooklyn N.Y. 11213
(718) 363-0100
They specialize in working with youth and families with Caribbean heritage.

2. If your zip code is 11207 and 11208, Beacon Hill Family Place offers free counselling
http://www.cypresshills.org/chw/beacon-family-place/
350 Linwood St Brooklyn, NY 11208
(718) 277-9593
They provide family counselling and youth support groups

3. Brooklyn Center for Families in Crisis

Home

1309-1311 Foster Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11230
(718) 282-0010
They provide intake assessments to determine what your needs are. This one offers fee on sliding scale and perhaps you can ask if they have free consultation for students.

4. You can also contact your college counsellor again to see if they can help you find a free social worker/therapist for you. Almost all therapists work Monday through Thursday.

Are you part of any spiritual community or church groups? Often these groups have resources to provide free counselling.

If you ever can’t sleep at night and need to talk to someone…you can call the 24-hour hotline:
(212) 673-3000
http://samaritansnyc.org/24-hour-crisis-hotline/
It is completely confidential and open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Let us know if you need more help! I went through therapy myself a few years ago…it was the best decision I made for myself & my parents.

Good luck,
Jennifer