Our Programs:
Adolescent Hugs
Youth in crisis are helped by hugs, Adolescent HUGS.
The Adolescent HUGS (Higher Utilizer Group Services) Program is an intensive outpatient counseling service that provides 24/7 response to children and adolescents referred from CHRISTUS St. Vincent Regional Medical Center (CSVRMC) and associated medical clinics.
Program Description
The Sky Center fills in an essential gap in services for children, youth, and families in our community who aren’t sure where to turn in a behavioral health crisis and find themselves seeking support from the CHRISTUS St. Vincent Regional Medical Center (CSVRMC) Emergency Department. Much of the time, what they need most is a warm and caring counselor in a safe and welcoming environment to see them through a challenging time. That is where the Adolescent HUGS program coordinator Robert Kristy, LCSW steps in.
What We Provide
Many of the youth seen have acute behavioral health issues stemming from:
- drug and alcohol abuse, including prescription drugs
- childhood trauma
- depression and anxiety
- suicidal thoughts
This program has successfully improved the health and wellbeing of youth served and reduced costly hospitalizations and multiple emergency room visits. A multitude of preventative care services are provided:
- family and group counseling
- identification and fostering of mentoring relationships
- parent coaching
- connection to primary care
- medication management.
Semicolon Support Group
The semicolon is used when a sentence could have ended, but didn’t.
The Semicolon Support Group is an invitation to teens to join the Semicolon Movement, a teen peer-to-peer counseling group that elicits stories of courageous battles with the symptoms leading to suicide and other forms of self-harm, such as depression, anxiety, fractured family relationships, addiction, unresolved grief, abuse, and other obstacles which threaten bright futures. Services will be offered free of charge.
The Semicolon group is currently offered live and on-line via Zoom in accordance with current public health guidelines. Bob Kristy, Family Counselor at the Sky Center, and Katrina Koehler, Executive Director of Gerard’s House, lead 1-hour groups every Monday 5pm-6pm.
Get Help
If you are in need of these services, or for more information, please contact us or use the form below:
Robert Kristy, LCSW,
Adolescent HUGS Coordinator
505-699-0605
bob@skycenter.nmsip.org