[My Apex therapist] has done so much for me, especially with the challenges I’ve faced during the pandemic.
—Miki L
Apex Mental Health Services provides youth with individual and group counseling to foster safety, trust, and communication. Our culturally competent and bilingual team incorporates experiences unique to Asian communities to work with families, volunteers, staff, and schools to support our youths’ mental, social, and emotional health throughout their Apex journey.
Apex for Youth launched mental health services in September 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the surge of anti-Asian racism. Our services aim to promote the well-being of Asian and immigrant youth and families through therapeutic counseling and education. Our approach centers and embraces the immigration and cultural experiences unique to Asian communities.
As a team, we provide both individual and group counseling that focuses on fostering safety, trust, and community. We also partner with families, schools, staff, and volunteers in order to provide social-emotional support for our youth. Through the relationships we build, our goal is to uplift and empower youth to identify, connect, and engage with their own unique strengths, resources, and creative skills.
Does the Mental Health Service (MHS) department at Apex accept volunteers?
MHS typically looks for two types of volunteers:
How do I become a volunteer for Mental Health Service (MHS) at Apex?
Please contact Ivy Li, Associate Director of Mental Health, directly at ivy.li@apexforyouth.org. Please note that, like other volunteers at Apex, volunteering for MHS also requires an interview, background check, and orientation as part of the onboarding process.
If I become a volunteer, what is the time commitment?
The general commitment to volunteering for MHS is one year (from September to June). Volunteers for the support group will meet weekly or biweekly for 2-3 hours each week, including planning and facilitation time. Volunteers for community education events/workshops are expected to support four events per year, and each event will take about 5 hours for planning and implementation.
What types of support do volunteers for Mental Health Service receive?
Volunteers will attend an orientation before the start of the school year to learn about the needs of the youth and Apex’s mental health service model. During the school year, MHS team members will partner in planning and co-facilitating peer support groups and events/workshops. Our team members will also check in with volunteers throughout the year to provide additional support.
Who is eligible for Mental Health Service (MHS) at Apex?
Youth enrolled in any Apex programs who demonstrate need for mental health support will be eligible for Mental Health Service. Need and service plan will be further assessed and determined by the Mental Health team.
What are the fees for Mental Health Service?
All mental health services at Apex are free of charge.
What type of support do youth receive from Mental Health Service (MHS)?
Depending on the needs of the youth and families, youth can receive one-on-one individual therapy and/or group counseling with a small group of youth with shared experiences. Youth will work with a MHS team member to gain insight into their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors and develop skills to manage the less desirable outcomes through talk, play, and art therapy.
Will youth’s information be confidential?
We will treat all shared information with the highest respect and sensitivity. Within safety, we will partner with youth to set boundaries on who and how they want to be involved in their treatment and share information – which will also help establish and practice self-agency.
How to receive Apex’s Mental Health Service?
Youth and families can inquire and request mental health services directly by contacting mentalhealth@apexforyouth.org OR speak to the staff in the program the youth is part of, and the program staff can help make a referral. Additionally, when we observe a need among youth, we will also reach out to discuss mental health services as a resource.
Questions? Contact Ivy Li, Associate Director of Mental Health, ivy.li@apexforyouth.org
