Excela offers support for teens feeling overwhelmed by pandemic

Students and high school seniors could be dealing with emotions such as grief, anxiety, guilt and loss as the coronavius pandemic disrupts their lives.

Their eating and sleeping habits might be different than normal and dreams could be getting disturbing, said Marcie Stover-Jividen, outpatient behavioral health therapist at Excela Health.

“There’s no shame in reaching out whenever you’re having an emotional problem,” she said.

Three therapy groups starting in May and June through the health system’s outpatient center at Latrobe Hospital are aimed at helping teenagers and other young people who are coping with feelings and situations as their world has shifted.

Gov. Tom Wolf ordered on March 13 that schools statewide shutdown for two weeks in an effort to slow the spread of the virus. He later extended the closure through the remainder of the academic year. That meant changes to traditional rites of high school passage — spring sport seasons, prom and graduation ceremonies. Schools across the region are getting creative to honor the Class of 2020, but that doesn’t erase what students are facing.

High school seniors, whether they attend public, private, cyber or home school, can sign up for a weekly online therapy group that starts May 15. The group is aimed at getting seniors together to talk and process emotions, which can range from loss of high school experiences to uncertainty about their academic future, Stover-Jividen said.

“There’s a lot of big feelings,” she said.

The second group will explore expressive therapy, such as art, drama and play, to help children ages 8 to 14 express their emotions. That weekly group will meet in person starting June 16.

The third group is for children ages 11 to 17 to learn about how to use creative outlets to manage strong emotions and harmful feelings. That group will meet weekly in person starting June 10.

Participants must sign up in advance for each group. The two that begin in June will observe appropriate social distancing guidelines. The groups could continue beyond the end dates based on need.

Excela therapists who work in school settings are typically accessible during the school day, but that work has moved to telehealth, creating another barrier for young people looking for counseling, Stover-Jividen said. Some symptoms that a young person is struggling can include unusual changes in sleep, eating and hygiene patterns, withdrawing from a family setting and self-harm.

The senior group will help participants create new memories and talk to others in the same situation. Stover-Jividen will be working with fellow therapist Melissa Bish to conduct the sessions.

“I think it helps them rewrite their story,” Stover-Jividen said. “It gives them some sense of community. I think it also allows them to feel things on purpose. You’re supposed to be feeling this right now and that’s OK.”

To sign up for any of the groups or to learn more, call 724-537-1650 or email mstoverjividen@excelahealth.org or mbish@excelahealth.org. New clients must meet with a therapist individually for intake prior to participating. Insurance will be billed for the sessions.