The Guidance Center Launches Bi-Monthly Podcast on Mental Health

LONG BEACH, Calif. – April 22, 2021 - The Guidance Center, a nonprofit child and family mental health service provider, launches In My Backyard podcast with CEO, Patricia Costales, LCSW, as the host. In the podcast, Patricia speaks with experts about the many factors that contribute to emotional distress in children, how to address those factors and how to create a community where all children have the help they need to be healthy and happy.

“With everything that has happened this past year, the COVID-19 pandemic and racial uprising, I wanted an outlet where I could speak with other experts about how these issues impact the mental health of our children and families,” said Patricia. “A podcast not only gives us the opportunity to discuss these issues, but offer advice and hope to those struggling.”

In My Backyard will publish new episodes bi-monthly on the 1st and 15th. Episodes will be available to stream on our website at www.tgclb.org/podcast/ and on all major platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts beginning this May in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month.

Episode topics include:

• Children’s Mental Health During a Pandemic
• What School Looks During a Pandemic, and What Will It Look Like?
• BLM and the Impact of Race on Mental Health
• Law Enforcement and their Interaction with The Mentally Ill
• Incarceration of the Mentally Ill

“It is my position that by shining a light on these issues and admitting that they are in our own backyards, we can make it easier for a struggling child to get help,” said Patricia. “And, ideally, we can all begin to be kinder and more supportive of each other.”

The podcast is made possible through generous donations from listeners and supporters. Please visit www.tgclb.org/podcast/ to listen to our first episode or to support our cause with a donation of any amount.

About The Guidance Center

Established in 1946, The Guidance Center provides comprehensive mental health treatment to more than 3,000 children and families in the communities of Long Beach, Lynwood, Compton, Paramount, San Pedro and Avalon annually. The Guidance Center offers individual, group and family therapy, crisis intervention, case management, community education and outreach, and intensive mental health treatment. Headquartered in Long Beach, The Guidance Center also has clinics in Compton and San Pedro. For more information on The Guidance Center, please visit www.tgclb.org.

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