Finding Support

Everyone handles stress differently and it's important to be kind to yourself during this time.  Below are some resources that you may find helpful:

• CDC Mental Health Tips & Strategies

Things you can do to support yourself:

• Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can add to your stress and make it feel even more overwhelming.
• Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate.  Try to get plenty of rest, exercise, and eat well-balanced meals.  
• Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.
• Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.  Reach out to friends and set up virtual gatherings to share with one another.
• Take note of things you are grateful for and look for opportunities to laugh & play with loved ones.

Tips for talking to your child about COVID-19:

• Don’t be afraid to talk about COVID-19 with your child. A good way to start is to ask them what they know and/or might have heard already, and let that guide your discussion.  Answer whatever questions they may have to the best of your ability, keep your answers simple, specific to what they ask, and with developmentally appropriate language.  Kids will let us know how much information they can handle simply by turning to other topics or activities when they've taken in all they can understand at that time, only to return to you when they are ready for another piece of information.
• Validate whatever feelings or concerns your child may have, and provide realistic assurance (for example, “Doctors say that the best way to stay healthy is to wash our hands, so we are!” or “Scientists and doctors are working hard to learn more about this new virus so we can know how to beat it.”).  It's not possible to promise that everything will be okay, but instead to focus on the steps you and your family are taking to stay safe and healthy.
• No matter their age, maintaining routines and consistency is important for all youth (and adults).  If routines are disrupted by COVID-19-related guidelines (e.g., school closures), work to build other routines and predictability to help them adjust to this new, temporary normal.
• Model good coping strategies, and consider doing some activities together as a family — read a book together, have a dance party in the living room, have a group video call to a beloved relative, go for a walk together, play a game, prepare a meal together, etc.
• Do your best to manage you and your child’s news/information consumption. COVID-19 is getting a lot of coverage in the news and on social media, not all of which is factual or helpful. Continue to engage your child about what they have seen and heard, help them to understand what they are reading, and work to clarify any misconceptions they may have. Furthermore, limit overall exposure to information on various media outlets. 
• If you co-parent or otherwise share child-raising duties, make sure you are all on the same page and giving your child the same messages. Disagreements or conflicting information can cause confusion and anxiety in youth.
• MOST IMPORTANTLY: Take care of yourself, and whatever you might be feeling or going through. You are the best support to your children when you are feeling good yourself!

Resources for Parents:

• INFOGRAPHIC - Helping Children Cope with Stress during the COVID-19 Outbreak (WHO)
• COVID-19 Resources for Staying Resilient (UCLA Center for Child Anxiety Resilience Education and Support)
• Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus (Child Mind Institute)
• Supporting Kids during the COVID-19 Crisis (Child Mind Institute)
• Supporting Teenagers and Young Adults during the COVID-19 Crisis (Child Mind Institute)
• How to Explain the Coronavirus to Kids with Anxiety or OCD (Anxious Toddlers)
• 5 Ways to Help Teens Manage Anxiety About the Coronavirus (New York Times)

Together, we will get through this!