The Marathon: Part 2 of a Kitchen Table Series
SpecialEd, IEPs, 504s, Oh my! Conversations with DCSEAC · DCSEAC
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Show Notes
This powerful conversation with Courtney explores what happens after the initial fog clears following a child's mental health crisis. This is Part 2 of a series documenting one family's journey through inpatient and outpatient care, school support systems, and the ongoing challenges of advocacy and self-care.
Episode Length: 31 minutes Content Warning: This episode discusses children's mental health, suicidal ideation, and mental health hospitalization
Crisis Resources
Available 24/7:
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- Call or text 988
- Crisis Text Line
- Text HOME to 741741
- Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ youth) - Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678
Key Topics Covered
The Heavy Lifting Phase (0:00-8:00)
- Transitioning from crisis to ongoing care
- Navigating outpatient treatment in Colorado Springs (December-May)
- Balancing treatment needs with school attendance and truancy concerns
- Fighting for extended hospital stays when your child needs more time
Understanding Assessment & Discharge (8:00-15:00)
- The limitations of standardized mental health assessments
- How high-functioning children can "game" evaluation checklists
- Advocating as a parent when medical teams recommend discharge
- The "dark figure" - how suicidal ideation manifests differently in each child
- Video game metaphors and helping children understand permanence
Building Your Care Team (15:00-22:00)
- The parent as "bridge" between hospital and school
- Finding the right therapeutic fit (it's okay to keep looking)
- The importance of having medical professionals who truly listen
- How Courtney assembled her "dream team" of all women providers who are also mothers
School Support & IEPs (22:00-27:00)
- The difference between IEPs and 504 plans
- Mental health qualifies for 504 support
- The importance of individualized education plans (the "I" in IEP)
- How advocates can help navigate the system
- Working with school districts during extended absences
Self-Care & Support Systems (27:00-End)
- "You can't pour from an empty cup - pour from your overflow"
- The necessity of therapy for parents
- Physical movement to release emotional weight
- Finding community and ending the isolation
- Recognizing tiny wins: when your child can identify their feelings before the explosion
Coming in Episode 3
"Hope and Resilience" - Moving beyond crisis management to real-life healing and discovering the resilience we didn't know we had.
Resources & Contact
- DCSEAC Website: DCSEAC.org
- Email: [email protected]
- Follow on social media for more resources and support