New Mexico School children reported to classes on Monday August 8th and parents, staff and administrators are hoping for a more normal productive school year. Yet there are some important changes and challenges that Taos Behavioral Health (TBH) staff see clearly.
Caring for Each Other
When I served in the Peace Corps in Ethiopia, during our summer break from teaching we traveled down to Kenya and then to South Africa. While I was there, I bought the beautiful classic book by Alan Paton, the South African writer—Cry, the Beloved Country. Deeply moving, it was written in the Apartheid era—–which we observed close at hand. All the businesses were owned and run by the whites and in the basements or by the back doors or in segregated transportation and neighborhoods, you observed brown and black faces. And how often in the past three years have I thought of the United States and murmured “Cry, the Beloved Country. ”
Special Bi-Lingual Support at Taos Behavioral Health
Taos is a beautiful multicultural town with a wonderful Spanish-speaking community. This wonderful community needs sensitive and skilled behavioral support due to realistic barriers and challenges. The process of adjusting to a new culture or country can be complicated and stressful depending on the intensity and frequency of barriers or challenges the people could be dealing with. [Read more…] about Special Bi-Lingual Support at Taos Behavioral Health
Can People Really Change?
A friend asked me the other day. “Do you really believe that people can change?” “Yes, “
I replied, “ I not only believe this, but I am also lucky enough that I see it every day.” My friend
seemed doubtful, so I continued, “In the work I do, I see people come in and frequently are
working against themselves with behavior patterns that used to benefit them, but no longer are.” [Read more…] about Can People Really Change?
Unique Services for Northern New Mexico
A set of four programs administered by Taos Behavioral Health (TBH) provides some unique strong services—designed to be sensitive to specific needs. In the past two years, staff of these programs have been creative in responding to new needs and supporting the stress experienced by each other. [Read more…] about Unique Services for Northern New Mexico
A Rich Tapestry of Services
Like the multicolored hues of our fall days, Taos Behavioral Health (TBH) provides the community with a rich variety of specially designed services to youth, adults, and families of Taos. As the school year settles into a more familiar routine—parents and youth deal with the impacts of the last two years. Academic achievement has suffered, youth lost touch with a wider group of friends, families struggled to respond to changing schedules of schools and health scares. Throughout this period, it felt like we were “holding a finger in a dike” stated TBH CEO Simon Torrez. [Read more…] about A Rich Tapestry of Services
Reflections and Planning Ahead
The fall has begun—with all the anticipation of a new season—brisk weather, sports events, nature giving us beautiful arrays. In the schools-students are back in person—connecting with friends and learning together again.
A Summer of Great Success!
After the past two years of intense stress and frequent changes in schedules and models of education, Taos Behavioral Health (TBH) gave its youth clients a wonderful summer. As school starts again and our services return to in-school and after-school sessions, we reflect with satisfaction on the summer.
New Location for Community Services
Everyone knows where they are. All you have to say is “You know those two buildings that are all completely painted with bright images?” “Oh yes—they are right on Paseo Del Canon East. You are there?!”
Giving Back to their Community
As his team raced down the court, he pulled down his mask and shouted instructions and encouragement. As she sat on the front row bench with her team—they were restless and continually stood up and down to move near and talk with her. The audience was loud with enthusiastic cheers and shouts as Taos won—56-31. [Read more…] about Giving Back to their Community
