Parish Social Worker

My name is Patti Kelly and I am your Parish Social Worker. I am available to assist with questions or needs you have in a variety of different areas including mental health, access to health care, care for Senior Citizens, stress management, and more. Check out the resources I have compiled on the website. Additionally, I can help you plan "next steps" and where to turn for resources. If you, a family member or a friend needs assistance or you're not sure where to turn for help, please contact me at 734-464-1222, ext. 301 or by email at pkelly@stedith.org. I'm happy to help and look forward to connecting with you.

Here are some examples of situations where I may be able to help:

• Connecting Seniors to resources such as transportation, home help, and food assistance
• Obtaining health insurance and prescription assistance for eligible families
• Locating social opportunities and supportive services for an adult child with developmental disabilities
• Learning how to support family members with mental health issues and knowing what resources exist for both the individual and the family
• Connecting individuals and families to ongoing programs to assist with food, rent, utilities, legal aid, and other needs
• Sharing resources, including referrals for counseling, on management of stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and other issues

If you are having a mental health or medical emergency or are in crisis, go to your nearest Hospital Emergency Room or call 911 immediately.

Programs of Interest

• GriefShare Informational Meeting

  GriefShare Informational Meeting

  Please join us at an Informational Meeting for GriefShare on Sunday, June 26, 10:00 am in the AV room or on Tuesday, June 28, 7:00 pm in the AV room. If you are thinking you might want to join a group or are interested in becoming a Team Member/facilitator, please attend. 

  GriefShare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. The GriefShare program is based on biblical, Christ-centered teaching that uses DVD seminars featuring nationally respected grief experts and real-life stories, followed by small group discussions.You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone.

  We will review some basics about what the program is, have time for Q & A, and complete the registration form if you are ready to sign up. You can learn more about the program at www.griefshare.org. If you are interested in this opportunity and want to learn more, or have questions, please contact Patti Kelly at 734-464-1222, ext. 301 or pkelly@stedith.org.

  GriefShare Team Members

  Have you experienced the deep grief of a loved one’s death? Have you learned valuable lessons and experienced healing from the hurt? Would you like to help others do the same? 

  If this describes you, please pray about becoming part of St. Edith’s newly forming GriefShare team. Currently, we are looking for both women and men as facilitators. You do not need to be a counselor, teacher, or have a degree. You will not do this alone; we will provide you with the training you need and continued support as you serve those who are facing the pain of grief.

• June is Internet Safety Month

  It's a great time to review our online behavior and learn how we can stay safer while using the internet. There are lots of good reasons for kids to be online – education, entertainment, and to socialize with friends. But there are also risks they face, including online enticement, sextortion, and cyberbullying.
  
  To support you and your family, the  National Center for Missing & Exploited Children has created resources to help you stay safer online in these unprecedented times. Just hear what Clicky, NCMEC's internet safety robot, has to say about keeping your kids safer!

  

  Join the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force on June 28, 2022, from 11:00 am to 4:15 pm EDT for a free virtual webinar: “Protect our Youth Online: A Virtual Event to Start the Conversation.” Parents, educators, and child-serving professionals will learn info and resources to help #StartTheConversation about technology safety. Tips and resources will be shared to help inform and protect children of all ages.

  Additional Information:

  • Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program
  • Register for the webinar

Additional Resources

• Suicide Prevention

  Resources:

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (free, confidential, always available): 1-800-273-TALK
  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
  • Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority 24-hour helpline: 1-800-241-4949
  • Jason Foundation website
  • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention website   
  • Resources from the recent QPR Suicide Prevention Training

  
   

• Mindfulness Techniques & Stress Management

  • Source: MSU Extension
    Link: Stress Less with Mindfulness
    Description: Free mindfulness education sessions (virtual) to learn techniques to reduce stress for adults and children
     
    
  • Source: The Child Mind Institute
    Link: Free Online Modules 
    Description: 5-7 minutes modules for elementary, middle, and high school students teaching essential mental health skills such as understanding feelings, relaxation skills, understanding thoughts, managing intense emotions, and mindfulness

   

• Parenting a Child with Mental Health Challenges

  • Source: National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
    Link: Parenting a Child with Mental Health Challenges: Basics on Demand
    Description: A free, virtual, on-demand series on Learn about mental health challenges in children & adolescents, potential treatments, coping strategies for parents, crisis planning, and available resources.

   

• Safety online, on the internet, and on social media

  The following links provide multiple resources for adults, teens, and children on increasing internet safety including videos, handouts, interactive games, and trainings

  • Source: National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
    Link: NetSmartz
    Description: NetSmartz provides age-appropriate videos and activities to help helping children become more aware of potential online risks and empowering them to help prevent victimization by making safer choices on- and offline.
     
  • Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security
    Link: Project iGuardian
    Description: Providing children, teens, parents and teachers with information regarding the potential dangers of online environments and how to stay safe online can help prevent many instances of child exploitation.
     
  • Source: Protect Young Eyes
    Link: Protect Young Eyes Website
    Link: Fr. John Riccardo & Chris McKenna (founder of Protect Young Eyes) Video
    Description: Helping Families, Schools, And Churches Create Safer Digital Environments
• Vaping & E-Cigarettes

  • Source: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)
    Link: The Truth About Electronic Cigarettes (a.k.a. Vape Products)
    Description: This free recorded webinar describes how e-cigarettes work, current products, health effects and resources for quitting.

  • Source: Samaritas
    Link: Samaritas Adolescent Vaping Program
    Description: Evidence-based treatment for vaping. To learn more, visit www.samaritas.org/sud or call 833-720-WELL.
• Substance Use

  • Source: Livonia Save Our Youth Coalition, Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network, and St. Mary Mercy Livonia
    Link: Addiction Series
    Description: Free, virtual education series designed to provide information about addiction, prevention, treatment, and recovery. Series begins Tuesday, September 6, 2022.
• Supporting children after divorce

  • Source: Healthychildren.org
    Link: Supporting children after separation or divorce
    Description: Information and resources for supporting children's wellbeing after parent's separation.
• Talking to children about violence

  • Source: National Association of School Psychologists
    Link: Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers
    Description: These resources were developed to help educators and administrators support students and families cope with bullying and school violence.
     
  • Source: Center for Resilience and Well Being in School
    Link: Talking to Children when Scary Things Happen 
    Description: This resource offers guidance to help you talk with children and youth after something scary or violent happens.
• Caregiving

  • Source: Caregiver Action Network
    Link: Caregiver Action Network Website
    Description: CAN serves a broad spectrum of family caregivers ranging from the parents of children with significant health needs, to the families and friends of wounded soldiers; from a young couple dealing with a diagnosis of MS, to adult children caring for parents with Alzheimer’s disease

  • Source: American Association of Retired Persons
    Link: Family Caregiving
    Description: Helping you navigate your role as a family caregiver

  • Source: Alzheimers Association
    Link: Alzheimers Association Website
    Description: Caregiving for People with Dementia including local resources for support, education, and programs

• Senior Citizens

  Connecting older adults and their caregivers with a wide range of resources, services, and programs to assist with food, transportation, adult day care, in-home care, and more 

  • For Oakland County residents:
    Area Agency on Aging 1-B | Senior Support Resources | AAA 1-B (aaa1b.org)
    1-800-852-7795
     
  • For Wayne County residents:
    The Senior Alliance | Wayne County & Detroit, MI
    1-800-815-1112