Many adults and children struggle with emotions ranging from sadness to anxiety and depression. It is normal to have these emotions. But if you or your child's quality of life is being affected by mental health issues, don't shy away from help.
Below are some things that you and your child can do for mental health wellness.
Calm, the mobile app and website, is offering a collection of free meditations. They are also providing free sleep stories, movement exercises, journals, and music. You can use Calm to bring you and your child some peace and relaxation.
Please enjoy this relaxation video, just for you.
Child Mind Institute TeleHealth Appointment (Mental Health)
The Child Mind Institute is open and available for you at all times. Their expert clinicians can do telehealth evaluations and treatment. If you have questions or concerns about your child's mental health or development, contact them.
Coping Skills for Children to Calm Anxiety
This website includes kid-tested strategies used by child therapists to help children relax. These tips include how to calm down a child when they are upset or frustrated. Too often, we tell children to "calm down" without explaining how to deal with stress and anxiety.
Great Tips for Parents From Astronauts and Submariners on How to Deal with Self-Isolation
In this article, three astronauts and a submariner shared advice on how to cope with isolation. Tips include:
Keeping to a routine
Filling time constructively
Avoiding misleading information
Learning to make the best of things
Having a sense of purpose
Showering and putting on fresh clothes
Improving your relationships
Doing what you love
Continuing to talk to others, and more.
Why Mental Health Is Important
Your emotional, social, and psychological well-being is very important. You should make mental health and wellness a priority in your life. It determines how you handle stress and the thoughts you have. The state of your mental health also plays a role in the actions you take. Most importantly, taking care of your mental health is important at every stage and age of life. Don't ignore mental health issues as it relates to yourself or your children.
Common Signs of Distress
If you or your child have any of these common signs of distress that you cannot manage on your own, seek help.
Feelings of numbness, disbelief, anxiety, or fear.
Changes in appetite, energy, and activity levels.
Difficulty concentrating.
Difficulty sleeping or nightmares and upsetting thoughts and images.
Physical reactions, such as headaches, body pains, stomach problems, and skin rashes.
Worsening of chronic health problems.
Anger or short-temper.
Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs (ref: teens and adults).
Need Help?
Mental Health Support Helplines to speak to trained counselors:
The Office of Mental Health Emotional Support Helpline: (844) 863-9314
The Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990, or text TalkWithUs to 66746. You can call 24/7 any day of the week.
The Child Mind Institute: (212) 308-3118
And if you or your child needs to talk to a mental health professional, you can call the UFT BRAVE Hotline at 212-709-3222 on any weekday between 2:30PM and 9:30 PM.