Mental Health Association in Tompkins County

Mental Health Guide for Tompkins Schools

September 24, 2025thesophiefund

Five Ithaca-based mental health organizations have released the 2025-26 edition of their resource guide, “Mental Health Support & Suicide Prevention for Schools in Tompkins County.”

If you have a comment, concern, or suggestion about mental health in Tompkins schools, please feel free to email it to The Sophie Fund: thesophiefund2016@gmail.com.

National and local surveys document the seriousness of a mental health crisis affecting young people. In a survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 40 percent of high schoolers said they experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Twenty-nine percent reported poor mental health, and 20 percent said they had considered taking their own lives.

A survey of high school and middle school students in Tompkins County came up with similar patterns. Forty-seven percent said they felt anxious or worried on most days, 35 percent felt sad or depressed on most days, and 34 percent said that “sometimes I think life is not worth it.”

To support Tompkins County schools, the resources guide was first launched in 2024 by the Suicide Prevention & Crisis Service of Tompkins County, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Greater Central New York, National Alliance on Mental Illness Finger Lakes, Mental Health Association in Tompkins County, and The Sophie Fund.

“For our school personnel, this can be a hearty quick reference guide with options that can be tailored to a student’s needs—or a fellow colleague’s needs,” said Tiffany Bloss, executive director of the Suicide Prevention & Crisis Service.

“There are many opportunities for no-cost trainings to enhance the comfort level and confidence in talking to someone else about their mental health.”

After a brief “Mental Health & Suicide Prevention 101” introduction, the guide details the mental health and suicide prevention education and training that the organizations are ready to present to Tompkins school administrators, teachers, students, and parents.

DOWNLOAD: Mental Health Support & Suicide Prevention for Schools in Tompkins County

The guide compiles handbooks and toolkits to assist Tompkins schools in developing mental health promotion and bullying prevention programming as well as suicide prevention strategies in their school communities. The guide points to recommendations for youth use of social media issued by the U.S. Surgeon General and the American Psychological Association.

“Tompkins County’s mental health nonprofits offer beneficial mental health programs designed for students, teachers, and parents,” said Sandra Sorensen, executive director of NAMI Finger Lakes. “Bridging the gap in education and community services is important to all of us. We already have great evidence-based programs designed and ready to go at no cost to our schools. The guide outlines all of our programs and highlights our collaborative nature. We are here to serve and assist.”

The guide also includes 5 Simple Steps, a downloadable “safety plan” young people (or adults) can consult if they are feeling overwhelmed with a deteriorating mood.

DOWNLOAD: 5 Simple Steps

The five organizations requested an opportunity to meet directly with the Tompkins County school superintendents and their leadership teams to provide a presentation on the support services available and respond to any concerns or questions they may have. The organizations have met with the Ithaca and Trumansburg districts, but Lansing, Groton, Dryden, and Newfield have not scheduled a meeting.

If you or someone you know feels the need to speak with a mental health professional, you can call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741-741.

Self-Portraits of Youth (Part 1)

December 13, 2023January 11, 2024thesophiefund

Twenty-nine young artists explored inner feelings of identity in an art exhibition organized in October by the Mental Health Association in Tompkins County.

“How I See Myself: Self-Portraits of Youth and Young Adults” featured invited art works by youth aged 10-17, who were celebrated at a First Friday Gallery Night Ithaca reception on November 3. The exhibition formed part of “United in Kindness,” a series of events coordinated by the Tompkins County Bullying Prevention Task Force.

“Some pieces expressed the difficult feelings that can result from bullying, others shared messages of hope and recognition that we are more than how other people see us,” said Melanie Little, director of Peer Programming at the Mental Health Association. She added that many of the 90 guests who attended the reception “remarked on the talent, depth and vulnerability demonstrated in the powerful works of these local young artists.”

The exhibition was curated by Ithaca artist Michael Sampson, a member of the Artist Alley studios and curator at The Gallery at South Hill.

“I see with the artists self-portraits an extremely individual body of work in the show,” Sampson said. “That individuality empowers the artists to continue with their artwork and use it as a tool to combat any struggles.”

“The theme gave the artists almost an assignment to face difficult things by using visual language to express what would otherwise be kept inside. Some artists in their statements gave advice, which was sweet and showed their compassion for others.”

“How I See Myself” was made possible in part by a grant from The Sophie Fund, which is honored to share the exhibition here. Thanks and bravo to the artists.

Autumn S., age 12

Through My Looking Glass

Digital print

“When I received the opportunity to make a self-portrait for this show, I leapt at the chance to participate because I enjoy sharing my work with others. While drawing I used a mirror and started wondering, ‘How can I make this more 3D?’ After working with the piece a few times and fiddling with the color scheme, shading, and background, I found a combination I was happy with. I feel that the final piece represents my artistic self well.”

Elise S., age 16, Ithaca High School

Internal Conflicts

Charcoal, pencil, collage materials

“This project is still a working process. I’m planning to cut out the figures and create a collage with it. I want to represent the two different sides of grief. Obviously you will have some sadness in your anger and some anger in your sadness. For the collage I want mostly pictures that either remind me of my father or pictures that remind me of his presence.”

Vivian B., age 15, Ithaca High School

The Fire Inside

Procreate

“The artwork is about the light and fire that each person has within themselves, and no matter what happens their light will still be burning.”

Juliet C., age 17, Ithaca High School

Juju

Watercolor

“This piece is a watercolor self-portrait that captures the mix of emotions that happen when being caught in a moment of excitement.”

Katie H., age 16, and Hannah A., age 16, Ithaca High School

Aramilla

Oil pastel on paper

“We wanted to create a portrait of an abstract person who symbolizes our inner thoughts and feelings. We wanted to show, in the most colorful and creative way, our biggest insecurity.”

Amelia D., age 13, DeWitt Middle School

The Mask

Paper and pencil

“Throughout the day her face is cracking because of all the rude comments but she wears a mask and puts it on every day and soon she´ll fully break under all the pressure.”

Sadie V., age 15, Ithaca High School

Modicum of True Self

Oil pastels

“When people are mistreated it’s often because only a small portion of their true selves is understood. If we give others a chance a whole world will open and we will be able to see the beauty in everyone.”

Violet W., age 10, Dryden Elementary

Meant To Be

Colored pencil on paper

“This piece of art is very valuable to people who are getting bullied or people who are being a bully. I made this because I wanted to help make people know that they belong and let them know that they matter.”

Katie H., age 16, Ithaca High School

Fingers in the Face

Mixed media

“This painting shows how the way we perceive ourselves is a lot worse than the way others perceive us. Sometimes we are the biggest bully to ourselves. For me, I always think one of my eyes is bigger than the other.”

Anisa P., age 11, DeWitt Middle School

Still Standing

Paint on canvas

“This is a piece about the effects of bullying and how they can get to people. But in this painting it was about how you can’t let what they say get to you.”

NEXT: Self Portraits of Youth (Part 2)

How I See Myself

September 25, 2023September 25, 2023thesophiefund

Calling all young artists! The Mental Health Association in Tompkins County is inviting youth aged 5-21 to create self-portraits for an art exhibition beginning October 23. The deadline for submissions is October 9.

The exhibition, “How I See Myself: Self Portraits of Youth and Young Adults,” will take place from October 23 to November 3 at the organization’s Outreach Center in Center Ithaca on the Ithaca Commons. A reception will be held to celebrate the artworks on Gallery Night November 3.

Click HERE to learn more and access the Submission Form

The exhibition is part of the United in Kindness series of events in October coordinated by the Tompkins County Bullying Prevention Task Force to mark National Bullying Prevention Month. The exhibition is made possible in part by a grant from The Sophie Fund.

“Bullying can affect the way we see ourselves, and art can be a healing and a powerful way of communicating those feelings,” the organizer said. “Our mission for this exhibit is to send the message that we are not alone, that bullying prevention matters, and that we each have a powerful voice to contribute.”

To participate in the exhibition, artists must submit one piece of art in any style or medium including video pieces of five minutes or less. All works must originate with the artist submitting them. No copyrighted materials may be submitted for this exhibition.

Each piece must not exceed 24 inches in height, width, or depth. All artwork must be ready to hang. Framed or matted, it must have wire across the back by which to be hung. Sculptures must be stable and able to stand on their own (24 inches or less in diameter).

Participants are asked to write a brief statement about their artworks, about the medium being used, feelings about their piece, what they liked about making a self portrait, or anything that would help the viewer understand more about the work.

Thank You, Mental Health Heroes!

October 23, 2022October 23, 2022thesophiefund

Leaders of the mental health community spread messages of support and hope during the 7th Annual Ithaca Cupcake Baking Contest.

Darrell Harrington, of Be Kind Ithaca, shared a personal story of getting help for crippling anxiety, and how it led him to create the bright red “Be Kind” hearts that adorn lawns and porches throughout Ithaca and beyond.

“I wouldn’t be here right now, or got to be on this amazing journey with Be Kind, if I hadn’t gained control of my anxiety,” said Harrington, crediting his wife and a close friend and band mate for guiding him into therapy.

“If you are suffering, please talk to someone. I know it’s hard. It’s extremely hard. But there is help out there. There’s some amazing people that want to help you. It’s those nine out of ten people that will help you, and take care of you, and make you feel better, and enjoy your life like I am today.”

Kathy Taylor, of the Finger Lakes affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), related how a child’s mental illness turned her family’s world “upside down and inside out.”

National Alliance on Mental Illness Finger Lakes

“We thought we could fix his problem through love and support,” she said. “But it wasn’t enough. I had heard about NAMI. It really took a lot of courage to make that phone call and admit we couldn’t fix the problem ourselves.”

Taylor and her husband joined a 12-week NAMI class called Family to Family. “These people were non-judgmental and they helped us so much,” she recalled. “We learned a common language so we could talk to each other about mental illness in a more educated way and understand what our son was going through.

Crystal Howser, of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Greater Central New York, said everyone has a role to play in protecting mental health.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

“Together, we can make a difference,” said Howser, one of the Ithaca area’s most relentless suicide prevention advocates. “We can let others know they are not alone. Together, we are strong, together we are making a difference. Suicide is preventable and suicide prevention begins with all of us.”

Suicide Prevention & Crisis Service

Mental Health Association in Tompkins County

Family & Children’s Service of Ithaca

Advocacy Center of Tompkins County

Be Kind Ithaca

The Sophie Fund

Celebrate Mental Health!

May 8, 2022May 9, 2022thesophiefund

More than a dozen Tompkins County nonprofits participated in the Mental Health and Wellness Fair on May 7 at the Bernie Milton Pavilion in the Ithaca Commons. Thanks to the kind and compassionate souls who are working so hard to support mental health in our community! Gratitude to Josephine Gibson and the Mental Health Association in Tompkins County for hosting this opportunity to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month 2022.