Mental Health and Support Resources
The following information is provided to assist parents, guardians, and caregivers as they seek to support their child’s/student’s mental health.
Attending to the Mental Health of Young Children
The ongoing pandemic and distressing events in the world will continue to take a toll on students. They may have experienced the loss of friends as they move from school or child care to staying safe at home. They may have had loved ones who were sick or lost a job. They may have witnessed violence in person, by listening to others, or watching television. These experiences can cause fears and anxiety. Young children are just learning to express their feelings with accuracy. Because of this, they let you know how they are feeling through their behaviors.
The Effects of Trauma
The website Effects of Trauma: Managing Challenging Behaviors, by Head Start/ECCLKC, provides additional information about children who were exposed to trauma and ways to support them.
Recognizing Trauma
Students may react to stressful situations in one or more of the following ways:
- Change in regular sleep patterns including nightmares
- Change in eating habits
- Becoming clingy, whiny, angry, or sad
- Physical complaints without illness
- Fears (of the dark, being alone, or strangers)
3 Levels of Stress
When children experience stress that is excessive and prolonged it can interfere with their developing brains. The Center on the Developing Child describes three levels of stress:
- Positive—when stress helps a child learn to cope with challenges.
- Tolerable—when a child has a supportive environment and relationships with adults.
- Toxic—when stress is prolonged and there is no adult emotionally available for support.
Understanding Stress and Resilience in Children
Children who are more resilient in the face of adversity are better able to cope with negative situations that arise throughout their lives. One critical factor in building a child’s resilience is the presence of adults who support them during hardships.
Relationships with family and community members who provide warmth and support during challenging situations help a child learn strategies for coping. Helping children learn these strategies early can have lifelong impacts.
This video series, also from Head Start, explains how high levels of stress can impact a child’s well-being.
Mental Health Resources
Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health
Association for Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy- Therapist Finder
NAMI – National Alliance for Mental Health
ATTACh Parent Online Support (Association for the Training on Trauma and Attachment in Children)
Related Articles
Back to School and Work Anxiety
Back to School Anxiety During Covid
Helping Kids Back Into the School Routine
Tip Sheet from Child Mind Institute- Tips for Managing Stress and Anxiety
Tips for Communicating with Your Teen
From Child Mind Institute- Tips for Managing Stress and Anxiety
What to Say to Kids When the News Is Scary
Helping Children Cope with Frightening News
How to Talk to Children After a Traumatic Event
Helping Children & Adolescents Cope with Traumatic Events
Talking to Children about Racial Bias
Talking to Young Children about Race and Racism: A Discussion Guide (PBS)
How White Parents Can Talk To Their Children About Race
Parent / Caregiver Support Groups
Rogers Behavioral Health in Eden Prairie and St. Paul
Parent and Caregiver Support Group for OCD and Anxiety
- Eden Prairie Group will take place on the second Tuesday of each month, 6:30 to 8 pm.
- St. Paul Group will take place on the third Tuesday of every month from 6:30 to 8 pm.
Those interested in attending may email Kathryn.Fitzgerald@rogersbh.org or call 651-485-5859 to RSVP. After you RSVP, you will receive a link to join the virtual Teams meeting.
Psychology Consultation Specialists offers a monthly ADHD Parent Support Group
This is a virtual support group at this time. Please call 763-559-7050 to reserve your spot. $10/per family. Space is limited.
Mental Health Book Recommendations
Book Recommendations: Anxiety & OCD
Your Child From Anxiety by Tamar Chansky
You and Your Anxious Child: Free Your Child from Fears and Worries and Create a Joyful Family Life by Anne Marie Albano PhD
Freeing Your Child From Obsessive Compulsive Disorder by Tamar Chansky
Talking Back to OCD by John March
If Your Adolescent Has an Anxiety Disorder: An Essential Resource for Parents by Edna B. Foa & Linda Wasmer Andrews
Helping Your Child Overcome Separation Anxiety or School Refusal: A Step-by-Step Guide For Parents by Andrew R. Eisen, Linda B. Engler, & Joshua Sparrow
Talking Back to OCD: The Program that Helps Kids and Teens Say “No Way” – and Parents Say “Way to Go” by John March and Christine Benton
Book Recommendations: ADHD
Taking Charge of ADHD: The Complete, Authoritative Guide for Parents by Russell Barkley
The Misunderstood Child by Larry B. Silver
The Explosive Child by Ross Greene
Smart but Scattered Teens by Richard Guare, Peg Dawron, Colin, Guare
100 Questions & Answers About Your Child’s ADHD: Preschool to College 2nd Edition by Ruth D. Nass
Kids in the Syndrome Mix of ADHD, LD, Autism Spectrum, Tourette’s, Anxiety and More!: The One Stop Guide for Parents, Teachers and Other Professionals by Martin K. Kurscher