AN EARLY START FOR A BETTER TOMORROW: COMPASSIONATE YOUTH INTERVENTIONS
Mary Aitchison, Youth Services Manager
Mary Aitchison has been in the field of counseling for the past 30 years, eight of which have been spent at Sertoma Star Services. That means her colleagues have had plenty of time to learn her strategy for each behavioral intervention; she asks herself, “What’s working?” and builds on a child’s strengths. Her approach to her own post-secondary education was similar.
She had imagined herself double-majoring in teaching and psychology at Governors State University. However, she found that such a dual program did not exist. Instead, she completed a B.A. in Psychology, a minor in Sociology, and a Master’s in Community Counseling.
Mary began her work life as a drug and alcohol counselor. She also worked with toddlers ages 3 to 5 for several years before assuming a role at Sertoma Star Services, which only offered adult interventions prior to the pandemic. Then the effects of the lockdown, public fear, and unpredictability took a toll on Generations Z and Alpha.
According to an article from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published in 2024, the proportion of pediatric visits to U.S. emergency departments for self-harm, mental health issues, and drug-related problems increased from 2020 to 2022. Fortunately, Sertoma Star Services had the right person to develop a program for children five years old and up. Under Mary’s leadership, it’s still thriving. The Youth Program currently supports 97 young individuals.
“I supervise a staff of five, coordinate services in 13 different schools, liaise between schools and staff, and organize therapy groups. Sometimes I help with intake meetings…and I have a small caseload,” she explains.
Even though the COVID era has ended, its developmental and psychological effects linger in the form of social anxiety and school avoidance. These common issues have been compounded by another viral sensation: social media. A child or teen exposed to cyberbullying and self-comparison can easily become too nervous to interact with their peers. That’s why she recommends starting psychological interventions early.
“The younger the client, the more you can teach them to help themselves and control their emotional dysregulation,” she reasons. Her explanation seems logical in light of the program’s many success stories. One former client went to Georgia for college, facing the
semi-adult world head-on. Another three students have decided to pursue a university education. In addition, one boy with autism learned to regulate his emotions and make friends. His grades and attendance improved.
In the future, Mary hopes to offer another form of treatment: expressive arts therapy. Once the program has enough participants, she plans to teach kids how to cope through creative means. “We could use a whole bunch of different media—dance, drawing, painting, writing, or playing instruments.”
The high school readiness program is another work in progress. The aim of the group is to offer students a safe space where they can share their anxieties about freshman year, access preparatory resources, and hear advice about coping with increased academic and peer pressure. “It’s basically High School Survival 101,” she summarizes.
How did the Youth Services program become so successful? The answer is this: its founder followed her own advice. “Instead of concentrating on what’s not working, we concentrate on what is working,” she smiles.
Learn more about the Youth Program at sertomastar.org/mentalhealth/youth.
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