The Outpatient Department provides mental health services to Somali youth and families, using a competency based focus that builds on strengths and health utilizing solution focused therapy which involves both the child and their family.  Interventions based on philosophy that cultural transitioning creates predictable challenges within a family; youth transition more easily then elders. Families are required to be actively involved in the child's treatment to overcome those challenges.

The Somali community, as well as the community at-large, has identified that Somali children and adolescents are experiencing mental health problems that are manifesting themselves within families, the neighborhoods, schools, protective services, and juvenile court.  The assessment, diagnosis and mental health treatment for this population must be delivered from a culturally sensitive perspective that provides special consideration of the following:

• The ethnicity of the Somali population
• The multiple levels of differences between the Somali culture and the culture at-large
• The violence and poverty experienced as a result of civil war that may predispose youth to mental health problems
• The predictable challenges of cultural transition

Population:
Male & Female – Birth to 19 years of age

Assistance Available:

• Parent/child conflict
• School difficulties
• Conflicts in the community

Services Provided:

• Counseling
• Case Management
• Psychiatric Services
• Family Therapy

Licensed By:
Ohio Department of Mental Health

Contact: 

English Speaking Referrals:
Daphne Luttrell, Intake Coordinator, at (614) 471-2626 ext.238

Somali Speaking Referrals: 
Fadumo Warsmae (614) 416-8761
Abdul Adam (614) 471-2626 ext 500