According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN), “…when public health emergencies occur, there is rapidly evolving information that may be confusing and lead to feelings of anxiety. In the event of an outbreak in your community, your first concern is about how to protect and take care of yourself, your children and your family. Knowing important information about the outbreak and learning how to be prepared can reduce your stress and help calm likely anxieties.”

We know our students and families are living in stressful circumstances. The NCTSN has a number of pandemic resources on their website that may help. Find them at https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types/disasters/pandemic-resources.

Resources to help parents and caregivers talk to children about the COVID-19 crisis:

• National Association of School Psychologists – Talking to Children About COVID-19: A resource for parents on how best to talk to children about the coronavirus.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration – Talking with Kids: Tips for Caregivers, Parents, and Teachers During Infectious Disease Outbreaks
• If you are a parent or caregiver and feeling unsure about what to share, how much to say, and ways to navigate COVID-19 when so much is uncertain, you’re not alone. Families the world over are with you on this one.  Here are some tips to get you through: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/10-tips-for-talking-about-covid-19-with-your-kids

Families or students who find themselves in need of social and emotional supports during this challenging time may also find the resource providers listed on our website here helpful. If you are in need of immediate support because you or a family member is in danger, please call 911.

Mental Health and Emotional Well-Being Resources

Crisis

• Mental Health Crisis - 1-800-499-7455
• Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255
• Adult and Children's Mobile Crisis (Provided through Lenape Valley) 1-877-435-7709 *Mobile teams are mostly grounded. They are able to do assessments, safety plans, supportive listening/problem-solving, and coordination of supports via phone.
• #HoldOnYouMatter www.mentalhealth4bucksya.com

Talk and Support, Anxiety

• Family Service Association Talk Line - 215-355-6000
• Resources for Teens - www.teencentral.com
  • KidsPeace - http://www.kidspeace.org/
• Bucks County COVID-19 Helpline - Feeling anxious?  Need help with managing stress, anxiety and drugs and alcohol?  Need to talk with someone? 
  Call 215-399-5681 – Mon-Fri 8:30 am-4:30pm
• Text “bchope” to 741-741 Or call 1-800-273-8255 - This is for both children and adults to talk about how they may be feeling.
• If you’re finding it hard to fall or stay asleep with all the talk about COVID-19 in the news, RESTORE®, one of Magellan Healthcare’s educational digital cognitive behavioral therapy programs, is a private, confidential online program that may help individuals who are experiencing insomnia and other sleep difficulties. Available anytime, anywhere at no cost to U.S. residents, the short, easy sessions teach skills, techniques and practices to help improve your sleep and sleep quality: https://www.magellanhealthcare.com/restore/
• NAMI Bucks County PA virtual support groups. These groups are offered free of charge, as are all NAMI Programs: https://namibuckspa.org/onlinesupport/

Home Life - Resources for Managing Social Distancing

• Helping Homebound Children during the COVID-19 Outbreak, Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
• Pennsylvania Psychological Association - How can I manage being stuck inside with my family?
• PBS KIDS’ weekday newsletter offers activities and tips you can use to help kids play and learn at home.
  Sign up here: http://public.pbs.org/PBSKIDSDaily?source=pbskids.org
• Working from Home - Your Mental Health and Well-being - American Psychiatric Association Foundation, Center for Workplace Mental Health
• Bucks L.I.F.E. - 888.442.1590 http://lifeinbucks.org/

General Support for Bucks residents: *Bucks County residents who need help for anything from financial assistance to mental health and substance abuse counseling can find it by calling 211 or text your zip code to 898211. This is a free 24/7 phone number that connects callers to local health and human service organizations and resources. 211 is funded nationally by the United Way