Gaining Perspectives and Solutions, LLC, which offers mental health services, is hosting a Teen Night every Thursday at 6 p.m. The goal of these weekly events is to help kids build community with others like them.
Teen Night is open to all teens in the community. It is held at the GPS office, located at 15 Longwood Place, which is off Arkadelphia Road in Jasper.
Emma Nix, the leader of teen groups at GPS, said, “Personally, I think that Teen Night is helping kids socialize with each other.”
Nix also spoke of the importance of discussing mental health.
“It’s building a community for mental health which is very scarce for teenagers these days,” she said.
Through Teen Night, students are able to meet and discuss with their peers, making connections they might not otherwise.
These nights have been successful according to Nix. “We normally have a group of five to eight kids. As we grow, they invite their friends. We invite our clients as well.”
“Right now,” Nix said, “we are in the process of getting sponsors from businesses around Jasper to get food for the kids. We want them to have a good meal and feel at home here.”
Johnny Brusco’s, Chick-fil-a, Arby’s and other Jasper businesses have sponsored the group so far. Kids have enjoyed eating and meeting together.
“We have other groups available also,” Nix said.
These groups include a Women Empowering Women group, a twenties and young adult group, and a group for moms.
“We want people to have a village of people to relate to,” Nix said.
GPS offers telehealth, individual counseling, play therapy, and other services along with these groups.
More information about GPS and their services can be found on their website (gpscounseling.net), Facebook and Twitter.
