Meet Heather Ning Aberg

Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Ning Aberg.

Heather Ning, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was raised in Evergreen and am now raising three teens in the same town. I worked at the local hospice as a bereavement counselor for 20 years and also have a private psychotherapy practice. Our mountain communities have seen an increase in suicides and mental health hospitalizations over the past few years. I felt that a call to action was necessary as people in the mountains have limited resources to counseling and there exists a stigma around receiving help for mental distress.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This ten month journey has been quite smooth and I attribute this to our Board of Directors and outpouring of support from the mountain communities. We are getting calls for new clients almost daily which shows that we are meeting a need. Struggles include financial stability because we are so young. We are writing grants but funding sources often want to see the long-term impact which we are unable to provide after only ten months. COVID-19 will likely present financial challenges in the face of an increased need for mental health support.

Please tell us about the organization.
Resilience1220 offers FREE counseling to youth ages 12-20 (because, in Colorado, a 12 year old can consent to their mental health treatment). We offer ten free therapy sessions and unlimited support groups. We aim to provide care “without barriers to service,” so we meet youth as close to their home as possible. Our ten current groups are A COVID-19 Virtual Group, Resilience and Self-Compassion (5 locations), LGBTQ+, Gifted and Talented, Grief, Drama Group and Struggles with Parenting.

We are also providing FREE support to youth and adults in our community. Our 30 therapists vary in specialty and host talks and presentations to any group that asks. Resilience1220 has also held a film screening of ANGST and a Transgender Panel Discussion. We are planning many more events!

While offering support, we aim to reduce the stigma around seeking care for mental health. Increasing resilience allows our community members to adapt to life’s ups and downs in our stressful world. Mental well-being can be learned and taught to all generations, ultimately affecting our culture.

I am most proud of our impact! Since May, we have served over 175 youth in individual counseling, over 240 in groups and over 1,200 community members in outreach. Until January, our group volunteered ALL of their time which shows the compassion we have for one another.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Our Board, therapists, volunteers and donors are a healthy, communicative and passionate group of people! We have all been asked to stretch our skills to create Resilience1220.

Pricing:

• $50 pays for one hour-long therapy session or two 1.5 hour therapy group

Contact Info:

• Address: 32045 Castle Court, #100
  Evergreen, CO 80439
• Website: Resilience1220.org
• Phone: 720-282-1164
• Email: resilience1220@gmail.com
• Instagram: Resilience1220
• Facebook: Resilience1220

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