Covid 19 Mental Health
From the Osmond School Wellbeing Team
During this time of uncertainty and change it becomes a challenge to maintain all areas of our personal wellbeing. Our goal is to encourage and support students and families in the area of social/emotional wellbeing. Here are some helpful resources we hope you take the time to check out.
Helpful resources for you:
-
Coping Strategies During COVID-19 ( See Below)
-
Acknowledge the challenges we are all facing and then act in love.
Link to the video-”Rooted in Love” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OjjWh-8Iv0&feature=youtu.be
-
Even the little changes in life are losses. Grief over lost experiences and connections is a common experience at this time and is similar to loss of a loved one.
“Helping Children and Teens Cope With Grief and Loss” https://www.wholechildcounseling.com/post/helping-children-teens-cope-with-grief-loss
Osmond Wellbeing Counselor, Diane Martin, LIMHP is available to provide wellbeing support to students and families during this time! Mrs. Martin is able to connect with students through Zoom (telehealth/internet), phone, or email. Mrs. Martin can provide resources or connections if you have specific needs or areas of concern. You can contact her via email: martind@oztigers or call the Osmond School.
The Osmond School Wellbeing Team wishes you all peace, wellness, and safety in the days to come.
What Adults Can Do To Buffer Children From Stressful Events As Our Schools
Close Down & Coping Strategies To Help All Of Us
During an Infectious Disease Outbreak, Adults need to help children by
● Provide a safe and predictable routine. Structure the day and make sure you include
breaks for movement and play, as well as their school work.
● Provide children with developmentally appropriate information about what is going
on in a calm and straightforward manner.
● Be available and responsive. Look for signs of stress in your child’s behavior and
provide assistance to them as you co-regulate their nervous system. (examples in
resources)
● Turn off the 24/7 news cycle and buffer your kids from the vast majority of TV news.
● Encourage physical activity- Outdoor activity as much as possible.
● Model Healthy coping skills-calming strategies, guided imagery, deep breaths, etc.
Please Remember: Do not “over-share” your own feelings of anxiety that provokes
increased anxiety in them, but focus on coping with them together in a healthy
manner.
● Do not forget to have fun together and although not convenient it is an event that
our kids will remember. Make sure there are some good memories within this
unpredictable time.
For more Coronavirus Information and Resources for kids, parents and educators please go to:
www.wholechildcounseling.com
Coping with Stress During Times of Uncertainty.
Know The Signs Of Stress
Your Behavior:
- An increase or decrease in your energy and activity levels.
- An increase in your alcohol, tobacco use or use of illegal drugs.
- An increase in irritability, with outbursts of anger and frequent arguing.
- Having trouble relaxing or sleeping.
- Crying frequently.
- Worrying excessively.
- Wanting to be alone most of the time.
- Blaming other people for everything.
- Having difficulty communicating or listening.
- Having difficulty giving or accepting help.
- Inability to feel pleasure or have fun.
Your Body:
-Having Stomach Aches or diarrhea , Having headaches and other pains.
-Losing your appetite, or eating too much.
-Sweating or having chills.
-Getting tremors or muscle twitches.
-Being easily startled.
Your Emotions:
- Being anxious or fearful.
- Feeling depressed, Feeling Guilty, Feeling Angry.
- Feeling heroic, euphoric, or invulnerable.
- not caring about anything.
- feeling overwhelmed by sadness.
Your Thinking:
-Have trouble remembering things.
-Feeling Confused.
-Having trouble thinking clearly and concentrating.
-Having difficulty making decisions.
How to Relieve Stress
You can manage and alleviate your stress by taking time to take care of yourself.
Keep Things In Perspective: Set limits on how much time you spend reading or watching
the news about the outbreak. You will want to stay up to date on news of the outbreak,
particularly if you have loved ones in places where many people have gotten sick. But make
sure to take time away and focus on things in your life that are going well and that you CAN
CONTROL.
Get The Facts: Find people and resources you can depend on for accurate health
information. Learn from them and how to protect yourself against illness. If you are at risk,
you may turn to your family doctor. A state or local health department, U.S. government
agencies, or an international organization.
Keep Yourself Healthy:
- Eat healthy foods, and drink plenty of water.
- Avoid excessive amounts of caffeine and alcohol DO NOT use tobacco or illegal
drugs.
- Get enough sleep and rest.
- Get Physical exercise.
Pay Attention To Your Body, Feelings, And Spirit:
- Recognize and heed early warning signs of stress.
- Recognize how your own past experiences affect your way of thinking and feeling
about this event, and think of how you handled your thoughts, emotions and
behavior around past events.
- Know that feeling stressed, depressed, guilty or angry is common after an event like
an infectious disease outbreak, even when it does not directly threaten you.
- Connect with others who may be experiencing stress about the outbreak. Talk about
your feelings about the outbreak, share reliable health information, and enjoy
conversation unrelated to the outbreak, to remind yourself of the many important
positive things in your lives.
- Take time to renew your spirit through medication, prayer, or helping others in
need.
Use Practical Ways To Relax:
- Relax your body often by doing things that work for you- take deep breaths, stretch,
meditate, wash your face and hands, or engage in pleasurable hobbies.
- Pace yourself between stressful activities and do a fun thing after a hard task.
- Use time to relax-eat a good meal, read, listen to music, take a bath, play a game,
talk to family.
- Talk about your feelings to loved ones and friends often.
- Take care of your physical health to help lower your stress. Take a break to focus on
positive parts of your life, like connections with loved ones.
*Information taken from: www.store.samhsa.gov
If you or someone you know shows signs of stress for several days or weeks, get help by
accessing one of these resources:
SAMHSA-Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Disaster Distress Helpline 1-800-985-5990 (English or Spanish)
SAMHSA’s National Helpline Toll Free 1-800-662-HELP
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-662-HELP or Text 741 741 #StopSuicide
During this time of uncertainty, emotions can run high for all of us. Please remember that
taking care of ourselves and our families mean trying to keep somewhat of a daily routine
while kids are out of school. Practice wellness in the areas of Physical, Emotional,
Cognitive wellness, and make healthy choices for yourself. Get outside and enjoy some
fresh air when possible. In this time of socially distancing ourselves, please remember to
check in by phone or other means to our neighbors and those who may feel alone. Do try to
find time to sit and visit with your family and friends. Make a phone call, write a letter, take
the time to connect with others. For example, keep the elderly and friends connected by
assisting your child in sending a card or note. We may be socially distancing ourselves, but
we certainly are not alone. Please, take a look at the resources listed above for some
additional coping strategies and learning ideas for students, families and educators to keep
kids involved and connected. Remember, we are all in this together. We can help each
other stay well by taking care of ourselves and each other.
Brandi Settje, MA, LIMHP
ESU#1
