Free mental health services available for Las Vegas kids, families
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Zaq Thomas-Mcdade is a big advocate when it comes to mental health. Both of his parents work in the medical field and taught him the importance of being healthy physically, emotionally and mentally.
“A lot of people in my generation I feel like are illiterate emotionally because we have these emotions and feelings but nowhere to translate them so it may come out as anger or depression,” Thomas-McDade remarked.
Now he’s breaking the stigma surrounding therapy by attending group counseling and letting others know it’s okay to get help.
“I think a lot more young people should go to those meetings to learn about mental health because it’s something parents don’t teach in the house,” Thomas-McDade added. “I think what I’m doing as person is being a leader like emotionally and what I see with a lot of young men in my age they get emotionally stirred up and with me I try to keep my peace to calm down and they follow so it’s always good to be a leader.”
Myron Mingo from Mingo Health Solutions said there are many barriers when it comes to therapy including cost and access.
“The stigma is a lot, there’s a lot that comes to it so we do what we can to break down that barrier, making it as easy as possible and let people know they’re not quite alone,” Mingo explained.
It’s why the organization is providing free to low-cost individual and group therapy sessions for kids K-12th grade and their families.
“Especially with some stigmas that come along with therapy, not every kiddo wants to just sit in a room one-on-one with a therapist and speak about what they’re going through so luckily we’re able to host groups,” Mingo added.
Fitting in, navigating everyday relationships, and the impact of social media use are the big issues Mingo sees among teens now.
“Social media is so prevalent nowadays and there’s a lot that comes with that and outside looking in it may seem regular but these teenagers are way more immersed in it than we are as adults,” Mingo said.
Clinicians are trained to tackle the disparities when it comes to minorities and people of color.
“We do have community advocates that are there just for that, if you’re struggling to find food, struggling to find a minority doctor or somewhere that you feel safe or supported then we have those community figures that can go out there with you,” Mingo replied.
Solutions of Change, the sister company to Mingo Health Solutions offers these free counseling services, for more information, click here.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.