Ryder Mental Health Resources

At Ryder Elementary, we are committed to providing care and supporting the social-emotional well-being of all our students. We provide classroom social emotional learning lessons, individual and group counseling, and crisis counseling, as well as linkage and referrals to outside agencies.

Contact us

Ryder Elementary main extension: 518-234-4032, ext. 2585
Becky Dostie, School Counselor: [email protected]
Alicia Hughes, Classroom Support Teacher: [email protected]
Kelly Rossman, School Psychologist: [email protected]
Bethany Scarlata, School Psychologist: [email protected]

Mental health resources

Social Emotional Support/Learning Lessons
● Feelings Chart
● Virtual Calm Down Activities
● Teaching Feelings & Emotions
● Five Finger Breathing
● My Worry Monster
● Everfi: Social Emotional Learning Lessons K-12
●Overcoming Obstacles : Social Emotional Learning Lessons K-12

Anxiety DIY Self-Care Kit/Box
● Fidget Toy (DIY: You can take two simple key rings and put them together; or, take a key ring and put soda-top tabs on the ring.)
● Weighted blanket
● Essential Oils & Diffuser: Try lavender (calming, helps aid in sleep) and ylang ylang (relieves tension and stress).
● Your favorite lotion: Your favorite smelly one, or unscented with added essential oils.)
● Small sketch pad/coloring book and pencils/crayons/markers: doodle, color, draw
● A list of things that you know make you happy
● A book of inspirational quotes, your favorite book, book of poems, etc.
● A gratitude journal or just a positivity journal (a notebook works the same): Helps keep your thoughts positive.

Talking to children about COVID 
● Psychology Today: COVID Fatigue related articles
● Autism Speaks COVID resources: COVID 19 Information and Resources
● Wilma Jean The Worry Machine: A read aloud book to help children cope with their worries
● Don’t Think About Purple Elephants: A read aloud book to help children cope with their worries
● ChildMind.org COVID and Kids’ Mental Health 
●  The National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope with Coronavirus (English, Spanish, and Chinese versions available)
● Understood.org: Talking to your child about social and emotional issues

Community Resources

● Schoharie County Dept. of Public Health (for Covid-19 updates)
● Schoharie County Community Mental Health Clinic and Chemical Dependency Clinic: 518-295-8336. Please call for crisis assistance 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. weekdays. After-hours and weekends, contact the Mobile Crisis Assessment Team (MCAT) at 1-315-732-6228 or 1-844-732-6228. 
● Schoharie County Department of Social Services: 518-295-8334. Please visit https://www4.schohariecounty-ny.gov/departments/social-services/ for additional information regarding access to information. 
● For eligibility for NYS Benefits, individuals in need can create an online account through https://www.mybenefits.ny.gov/mybenefits as a prescreen for eligibility for the following supports: HEAP, SNAP, Assistance Programs, Health Insurance, Tax Credits. 
● The NYS COVID-19 Emotional Support Helpline at 844-863-9314 is staffed 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., 7 days a week.

Food pantries

COBLESKILL

Catholic Charities of Schoharie County (CCSC) – 489 West Main Street, Cobleskill By appointment ONLY – Mon 9:00am to 4:00pm, Tue & Wed 1:30pm to 4:00pm 518-234-3581 Contact Person: Allison Briggs *Please note: This pantry’s services are limited to residents of Schoharie County only. 

First Baptist Church – 492 West Main Street, Cobleskill By appointment ONLY – Thursday Morning (call by Wednesday) 518-234-2729 Contact Person: Mary Robinson @ 518-234-3135 Call for an appointment: leave your name, phone number, number of people in the household. 

Cobleskill United Methodist Church – 107 Chapel Street, Cobleskill Fridays only 9:30am to 12:00pm 518-234-3671 Call for an appointment: leave your name, phone number, number of people in the household. 

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church – 615 E. Main Street, Cobleskill Open for walk-ins last Saturday of the month 9:00am – 12:00pm 518-234-3381 Emergency Pantries - Call for an appointment: leave your name, phone number, number of people in the household. 

Schoharie County Community Action Program – 795 East Main Street, Suite 5, Cobleskill Open Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 3:00 pm 518-234-2568 Please call in advance to ensure staff will be available to assist you.  Emergency assistance only.

St. John’s Monastery – 151 Heron Road, Cobleskill Open for walk ins Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday 10:00am-12:00pm 518-254-7283 Contact Person: Fr. Nicholas Clinkingbeard Emergency Pantries – Call for an appointment.

RICHMONDVILLE

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church – 265 Main Street, Richmondville Open for walk-ins last Saturday of the month 9:00am to 12:00pm 518-294-6656 Emergency Pantries - Call and leave your name, phone number, number of people in the household. *Please note: This pantry’s services are limited to residents of Richmondville, Summit and Warnerville.

SUMMIT

United Methodist Church – Rt 10, Summit Open for walk ins third Saturday of the month 10:00am to 11:00am 518-287-1828 Contact Person: John Korbel Emergency Pantries - Call for an appointment: leave your name, phone number, number of people in the household.

CENTRAL BRIDGE

Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church – 177 Church Street, Central Bridge By appointment ONLY 518-868-2868 Contact Person: Rev. Steffen Zehrfuhs Call for an appointment: leave your name, phone number, number of people in the household.