Social Emotional Supports
Many are feeling a variety of emotions including fear of the unknown, anxiety, and sadness. There are an array of resources to help support emotional and mental health while social distancing. These resources include newspaper and magazine articles, coping skills, steps toward mindfulness, etc. If you or someone you know is struggling, please offer this as help.
MCS Social Emotional Support: (209) 492-6000 – option 3
- Hotline can be reached Monday-Friday, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Stanislaus County Behavioral Health: (209) 558-4600
- “Warmline” is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at no cost
Other Resources:
- Local Mental Health Resources
- NAMI Resource and Information Guide
- NAMI Student Guide to Mental Health
- Self-Care Strategies for Teens
- CDC Managing Stress and Anxiety
- CDC Taking Care of Your Emotional Health
- SAMHSA Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health
- Suicide Prevention Lifeline Chat
- Emotional Wellbeing During the COVID-19 Outbreak
- NBC Article: Coronavirus is Canceling Senior Year Across America: 5 Ways to Help Your Child Cope
- Teen Guide to Mental Health and Wellness
- Just Breathe Video
- Stanislaus County Office of Education (SCOE) – Mental Health and Emotional Support Resources
Center for Human Services – Mental Health Tip of the Month:
Mental Health Newsletter for Parents, Students and Staff:
- August Newsletter – English – Mental Health Matters
- August Newsletter – Spanish – Mental Health Matters
- September Newsletter – English – Growth Mindset for Children
- September Newsletter – Spanish – Growth Mindset for Children
- September Newsletter – English – Growth Mondset for Teens
- September Newsletter – Spanish – Growth Mindset for Teens
Gregori High School’s Avni Parmar – Video Supports for Teens
Mindfulness:
1. Stay in the present moment----Focus on your 5 senses in order to prevent being “caught up in your head.” See what you can smell, see, hear, taste, feel.
2. Spend some time being quiet----Sit comfortably and focus on your breathing as long as you can. If you find yourself thinking of something other than your breath just gently come back to focusing on your breath. No phones, laptops, or devices!
3. Gratitude--Start a journal listing things you are grateful for--focus on that rather than what is going on in the world.
4. Help others----Check in via a phone call or Skype to see how aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins may be doing. Maybe call an elderly neighbor who lives alone. It will brighten their day as well as yours.
5. Limit news time
6. Let go---This may be a good time to let go of any bad feeling you may have towards someone.
7. Stay healthy---Be sure to eat healthy food, get exercise (go for a walk), and get proper sleep.