Big Feelings, Small Voices

Children do not always have the words to explain what they are feeling. Sometimes worry, sadness, anger, grief, trauma, family stress, or school challenges show up as behavior, meltdowns, withdrawal, or difficulty connecting with others. Play therapy gives children a safe and supportive way to express emotions, explore their inner world, and build healthy coping skills through play, creativity, and connection. For children, play is more than fun. It is one of the ways they communicate, process experiences, and make sense of the world around them. In play therapy, the therapist uses play to join the child in their world and support emotional wellness, communication skills, personal strengths, and social relationships.

Play therapy may help children who are experiencing:

• Anxiety or worry
• Sadness or grief
• Anger or emotional outbursts
• Family changes or divorce
• Trauma or stressful experiences
• School or peer challenges
• Difficulty talking about feelings
• Behavioral concerns at home or school
• Trouble with emotional regulation

What to Expect

At the first appointment, the parent or caregiver and child will meet with the therapist together. Paperwork will be completed and the therapist will begin gathering information about the child’s needs, strengths, and concerns. If there is information a parent or caregiver would like to share outside of the child’s presence, a follow-up phone contact may be scheduled. A parent or caregiver will also need to participate in the treatment plan development session and treatment plan reviews. Ongoing parent involvement may vary based on the child’s needs and treatment goals.

How to Get Started

Concerned about your child’s emotions, behavior, coping skills, or connection with others? Talk with your child’s primary care provider about a behavioral health referral. Support is available for children from birth and up. For children ages birth to 3, care focuses on parent support and strengthening attachment between the child and caregiver. For children ages 4 and up, therapy is based on the child’s individual needs and treatment goals.

Meet Maegan Chamberlain, LLMSW

Maegan is a behavioral health therapist specializing in play therapy. She is currently working toward Registered Play Therapist credentialing through the Association for Play Therapy. Her approach uses play, relationship-building, attachment, and interpersonal neurobiology to support emotional regulation, connection, and healthy development. Through play therapy, children can begin to express what they may not yet have the words to explain.

Bellaire and East Jordan Family Health Centers are proud to introduce new American flag retirement boxes at both our Bellaire and East Jordan locations as part of our continued commitment to supporting veterans and strengthening community partnerships throughout Northern Michigan.

The custom metal boxes were designed and built by advanced welding students in the Career Tech program at East Jordan Middle/High School under the leadership of welding instructor Dave Muladore.

Students Konyr Lewin, Mason Shiers, and Jonny Cosier led the project, applying their technical welding skills in a meaningful real-world setting rooted in service, patriotism, and community impact. Toby Prevo Residential Services also assisted with painting and finishing the boxes.

The completed flag retirement boxes are located in the entryways of both Health Center locations and provide community members with a respectful and accessible way to retire worn or damaged American flags in accordance with proper flag etiquette.

Bellaire and East Jordan Family Health Centers will work alongside community partners including local Girl Scout troops, the American Legion, Veterans Affairs offices, and the Antrim County Veterans group to ensure retired flags are handled and disposed of respectfully.

This initiative also supports the Health Centers’ growing Veteran SALUTE programming and ongoing efforts to better serve veterans through both Primary Care and Behavioral Health services.

The ECRI SALUTE initiative focuses on helping healthcare organizations better understand and respond to the unique physical and mental health needs veterans may face, including service-related injuries, toxic exposures, and mental health concerns.

“This project brought together two important areas of growth within our Behavioral Health programming, veterans and youth,” said Cynthia Pepin, Behavioral Health Director at Bellaire and East Jordan Family Health Centers. “It created an opportunity for students to use their talents in service to veterans and our community while also helping raise awareness about the importance of accessible veteran support services locally.”

Each student involved in the project brought unique goals and experiences to the work:

• Mason Shiers plans to continue his welding education and pursue advanced certifications.
• Jonny Cosier regularly applies welding skills through work on his family’s farm.
• Konyr Lewin values welding as a practical skill that promotes independence and self-sufficiency.

Expanding Veteran Behavioral Health Services

As part of the Health Centers’ growing Veteran SALUTE initiative, Bellaire and East Jordan Family Health Centers continue expanding support services for veterans throughout Northern Michigan.

Behavioral Health services are available to veterans regardless of whether they are established primary care patients of the Health Center, helping reduce barriers to accessing care locally. Bellaire and East Jordan Family Health Centers also accept TRICARE insurance.

The initiative focuses on improving awareness, access, and support for veterans facing service-related physical and mental health challenges while strengthening partnerships throughout the community.

We are grateful to East Jordan Public Schools, Dave Muladore, Toby Prevo Residential Services, our student welders, and all participating veteran organizations for helping bring this project to life.

Bellaire and East Jordan Family Health Centers are proud to celebrate Hailey and Ivy on their graduation from Northern Michigan University, where they each earned a master’s degree in social work.

Their journey reflects the success of the Health Centers’ “Grow Our Own” initiative, which supports students and interns as they transition into meaningful careers within our organization. Through this program, Hailey and Ivy have gained hands-on experience, built strong relationships with patients and staff, and developed the skills needed to serve our community.

Hailey has been serving as a case manager and will now expand her role as a behavioral health counselor. In this position, she will continue supporting patients with mental health and substance use-related needs, helping them navigate care and improve their overall well-being.

Ivy will take on a key role in community outreach through the Rural Health Transformation Grant awarded by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Her work will focus on strengthening community connections and expanding access to care in rural areas. In addition, Ivy will serve as an integrated behavioral health counselor when needed.

“We are incredibly proud of Hailey and Ivy and the dedication they’ve shown to their education and our patients,” said [insert quote if desired]. “Their growth is a powerful example of how investing in people strengthens the care we provide.”

Please join us in congratulating Hailey and Ivy on this achievement. Their commitment to social work and community well-being will continue to make a meaningful impact across Antrim and Charlevoix counties.

During Social Work Month, the Bellaire and East Jordan Family Health Centers are proud to recognize our Integrated Behavioral Health Team.

Their work reflects the message on their shirts: Advocate • Support • Empower.

Our behavioral health professionals work alongside primary care providers to support the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of our patients. Through counseling, care coordination, and connection to community resources, they help ensure patients receive compassionate, whole-person care.

As our behavioral health program continues to grow, we remain committed to providing integrated care that supports the health and well-being of the communities we serve.

What Is Telepsychiatry?
Telepsychiatry is a modern, convenient way to receive high-quality mental health care. It connects you with licensed psychiatric providers through secure video sessions — so you can get the support you need, no matter where you live.

Whether you’re in a hospital, clinic, or community health center, telepsychiatry helps ensure timely access to expert care. It’s a safe, effective, and compassionate solution for individuals seeking support for their mental health and emotional well-being.

How It Works
When it’s time for your appointment, a member of your care team (often a nurse or medical assistant) will bring you to a private room and take your vital signs. Then, they’ll connect you with your psychiatric provider through a secure video platform.

You’re welcome to ask the care team member to stay during the session or have one-on-one time with your provider — it’s completely up to you.

Your session is completely confidential, and just like in-person care, your provider is here to listen, support, and work with you toward your goals. Over time, many patients build strong, trusting relationships with their telepsychiatry provider.

Join for Support in Your Journey to Recovery

We recognize addiction touches every area of life, our group sessions are a safe place where you can speak honestly and openly without judgement. Share your story and strategies for wellness and get support from your peers.
Groups are open to all patients and will need to complete an intake with one of our trained clinicians to anonymously participate. Most insurance plans are accepted, and we also offer our sliding scale program to qualifying patients.

RECOVERY STARTS HERE

Join from your own home virtually with Zoom.

Meetings are scheduled on:
MONDAYS from 11:00am – 12:00pm

For More Information or schedule an intake appointment, call our Behavioral Health Coordinator at:
(231) 536-2206 x147

988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. While some areas may be currently able to connect to the Lifeline by dialing 988, this dialing code will be available to everyone across the United States starting on July 16, 2022.

When people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary.

The current Lifeline phone number (1-800-273-8255) will always remain available to people in emotional distress or suicidal crisis, even after 988 is launched nationally.

The Lifeline’s network of over 200 crisis centers has been in operation since 2005, and has been proven to be effective. It’s the counselors at these local crisis centers who answer the contacts the Lifeline receives every day. Numerous studies have shown that callers feel less suicidal, less depressed, less overwhelmed and more hopeful after speaking with a Lifeline counselor.

Answer the call! These centers are looking to bring on new volunteers and paid employees. You will receive training, so if you are a caring person who wants to help those in crisis, apply today. Find your opportunity: samhsa.gov/988-jobs

For ways to support your local Lifeline network crisis center, visit our Crisis Centers page here.

To learn about the impact of the Lifeline, visit our new By the Numbers page.

To learn about what happens when you call, text, or chat with the Lifeline, click here.

To learn more about the history of 988, visit here.

To learn how Vibrant Emotional Health, the nonprofit administrator of the Lifeline, has been supporting states’ implementation planning for 988 through grants, check here.

If you’re a Veteran, Service Member or loved one and want to know more about how 988 will affect the Veterans Crisis Line, click here.