From Trauma to Treatment to Triumph: A Mother’s Story of Childhood Mental Illness

Format

Individual Presentation

First Presenter's Institution

Chestatee, Forsyth County Schools

First Presenter’s Email Address

mkillingsworth@forsyth.k12.ga.us

First Presenter's Brief Biography

Meg Killingsworth has been an educator for 25 years and has served as her school’s Family Engagement Coordinator for the past 8 years. She graduated from Indiana University in 1998 and enjoyed teaching kindergarten, first, and second grades along with special education resource before her work with families. Meg is also a wife and mother of two girls who have struggled with emotional and mental health. She shares her story of 11 year old daughter, Kate, and her journey from trauma to treatment to triumph in the past year.

Second Presenter's Institution

Kim Sarfaty

Second Presenter’s Email Address

ksarfaty@forsyth.k12.ga.us

Second Presenter's Brief Biography

Kim Sarfaty has been an educator for 20 years and teaches special needs Pre-K students at Chestatee. She received her Bachelor's degree in Education from the University of Georgia where she also played softball for 4 years. Mrs. Sarfaty has taught Special Education in middle grades as well as all elementary grades; the majority of her years teaching Special Education has been spent in the Pre-K classroom. Kim was not only selected as the Teacher of the Year for Chestatee in 2020, but she was also named Forsyth County Teacher of the Year. As a mother of 3 children, she has been an advocate for children with special needs and disabilities both in her family and in education. She serves as a beacon of hope in our community in helping others through early intervention.

Location

Session Seven

Strand #1

Health: Mental & Physical Health

Strand #2

Hands: Safety & Violence Prevention

Relevance

This presentation is relevant to the audience because it supports the Standard, “Health”: Promoting the mental and physical health of all children and youth. This is a trying time in our nation’s history. Our children and youth are struggling more than ever. This presentation is a mother’s story of her child struggling with mental illness and how the support from her friends, school, and professionals helped her family get the help needed.

Brief Program Description

Child and adolescent mental illness is on the rise, but it’s a difficult topic to discuss. One mother is on a mission to break the stigma, help others through her family’s experience, and share resources that could help other families with mental struggles.

Summary

Child and adolescent mental illness is on the rise. By sharing stories and experiences, we can see that there are resources and treatment available. And with the right help, a child can get back on track and thrive.

COVID, loss, drama, dysfunction triggered a breakdown for 10 year old Kate. One night in May, she experienced psychosis becoming a threat to herself and her family. How does this happen and where does one even begin in finding help for a child who is spiraling out of control? Many people wouldn’t know where to begin, but this presentation shares how one mother’s support system, school and professionals all joined in the journey to triumph for Kate. Attendees will leave with handouts outlining resources and steps to take when suspecting mental illness in a child.

Evidence

Evidence shows that mental illness, self-harm and suicide are on the rise in our children and adolescents. Many people do not know what to do when they see someone struggling. This presentation will help share resources and ways to get the resources needed to get a child treatment and back on track

Learning Objective 1

Participants will be able to identify triggers and early warning signs of mental illness and strategies to help.

Learning Objective 2

Participants will be able to apply a resource in helping families going through mental health issues.

Learning Objective 3

Participants will be able to discuss a safety plan to reintroduce a student back to the school.

Keyword Descriptors

Childhood Mental Illness

Presentation Year

2024

Start Date

3-5-2024 2:15 PM

End Date

3-5-2024 2:45 PM

Link to Full Text

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Mar 5th, 2:15 PM Mar 5th, 2:45 PM

From Trauma to Treatment to Triumph: A Mother’s Story of Childhood Mental Illness

Session Seven

Child and adolescent mental illness is on the rise, but it’s a difficult topic to discuss. One mother is on a mission to break the stigma, help others through her family’s experience, and share resources that could help other families with mental struggles.