Mental Health
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There are a number of agencies in the area that are now providing services through telephone and video conferencing. Contact your school social worker for more information or refer to your health insurance provider for referrals and specific coverages.
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Colonial Behavioral Health
Contact Info: Crisis Line: (757) 378-5555; Children’s Services and Greater Williamsburg Child Assessment Center (GWCAC): (757) 253-4047; CBH Website
Emergency services continue to operate 24 hours a day. Many services including psychiatric treatment, outpatient counseling, Genoa Pharmacy, and case management are being provided at this time. Many services are now provided over the phone or through video conferencing.
Newport News Behavioral Health Center
Contact Info: 17579 Warwick Blvd, Newport News, VA 23603; If you are experiencing a crisis, call (757) 888-0400
Acute unit is open and services children in crisis ages 8 – 17.
REACH: DD Crisis Services
Contact Info: 1-888-255-2989
REACH, Regional Educational Assessment Crisis Response Habilitation, is a 24/7 mobile crisis intervention program that provides crisis support to individuals with a Developmental Disability who are experiencing mental health or challenging behavioral needs.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Contact info:1-800-273-TALK (8255)
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to connect individuals in crisis with skilled counselors.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Hotline
Contact Info: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
Avalon Shelter
Contact Info: (757) 258-5051
Avalon provides shelter and support for those experiencing domestic violence and sexual assault.
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Social Emotional Supports for Elementary Students
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Social Emotional Supports for Secondary Students
CASEL: Social Emotional learning resources to support resiliency and mindfulness.
PsychCentral: Detailed information, resources, and articles on a number of mental health disorders and disabilities. -
Crisis Support
During school closure, if your child experiences an emergency, crisis, or needs immediate assistance, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. Please note that school-based mental health teams are not available to provide guidance, resources, or intervention services for mental health emergencies during school closure. In addition to contacting any private providers, Colonial Behavioral Health may be accessed at the following numbers: 757-220-3200 (8am-5pm M-F) or 757-378-5555 (emergency 24hour accessibility).
Crisis Text Line: Visit crisistextline.org or Test START to 741-741
Lifeline Crisis Chat: Visit crisischat.org to chat with crisis centers around the US
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: Visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org or call 1-800-273-8255. -
Mindfulness Strategies
Resources to Support Social-Emotional Wellness and Coping
Mindfulness Webinar for Parents and Teachers: CASEL Cares: Building Resilience to Support Ourselves, Others, and our Students
Bacon Street Mindfulness Videos: Lessons with Ariel Tal, Clinical CounselorDay to Day Mindfulness Activities at Home
Calming: Ways to calm the brain-strategies for students.Yoga: Easy-to-use visuals for educators and parents. Free set of guided yoga cards-helpful for encouraging mindful breathing and relaxation.
Mindful Breathing: Mindful breathing is useful for all students, especially those prone to panic attacks or increased anxiety. Laminate and attach these breathing prompts around the house. Various shapes available on the free printable link.Make a Calming Bottle
Therapeutic Apps
Headspace: This app provides meditation exercises with a coach that helps you learn as you go. (Free two-week trial)
The Mindfulness App: A mindfulness app that helps you become more present in your daily life with guided and silent meditation sessions.
CalmColoring App: Free coloring app to help reduce stress.
Sleeping: Free app with white noise and calming sounds for sleeping and meditation.
Gratitude Journals -
Stress and Anxiety
Articles
When to Worry About an Anxious Child: Article on worry, anxiety, and some guidelines for distinguishing an anxiety disorder from ordinary anxiety.
Tips for Calming Anxious Kids: “Toolbox” for dealing with anxiety-prone children, simple highly effective techniques.
What to Do (and Not Do) When Anxious: Pointers for helping children escape the cycle of anxiety.
How to Avoid Passing Anxiety on to Your Kids: Help yourself, and them, by learning techniques to manage stress in a healthy way.
Anxiety Basics: In this guide you'll learn the signs and symptoms of different anxiety disorders, and how they are treated.
Anxiety and Coping with the Coronavirus: “If you or your children are feeling worried, learning how to deal with that anxiety in a healthy way can help the whole family be more resilient, both now and when the pandemic is finally over.”
Resources
Coping and Coloring Book: Developed by LSU Health New Orleans School of Allied Health Professions. -
Supports for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Resources
Comic Strip: Comic strips are an important visual tool that help individuals with ASD understand complex information. This more advanced visual support can be used to help individuals with ASD understand more detailed information surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and has tips for staying in touch with friends and family members during a time of social isolation.How to Video: Dealing with Changes-Individuals with ASD often thrive in a routine environment and can struggle with unexpected changes to their schedules. This How-To video helps families, educators, and community members support individuals with ASD as they navigate through the multitude of changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic event.
Social Narratives: Social narratives are an important visual tool that help individuals with ASD understand complex information. This basic visual support can be used to help individuals with ASD understand what is happening surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a very concrete and very brief overview of what is happening.
Supporting Individuals with Autism Comprehensive Guide: The UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute Autism Team created a comprehensive guide with visual tools and resources related to support strategies, coping and calming skills, hygiene, daily schedules and routines, communication, activities, and more.
Websites
VCU Autism Center for Excellence
Autism Speaks -
Supports for Students with ADHD
Articles
The Child Mind Institute: Support for Kids with ADHD During the COVID-19 Crisis
English
Spanish
CHADD: is a nonprofit organization that provides resources and information for Children & Adults with ADHD- the following are just a few resources
Guidance for Uncertain Times: Creating Structure and Routines for Children with ADHD
Guidance for Uncertain Times: Tips for Creating an ADHD Friendly Home Environment
Guidance for Uncertain Times: Parenting Children with ADHD During a Crisis (Audio format/podcast)
Accommodations:
Once you go to the above website under assignment accommodations, on the left side column there are additional sections specifically for strategies and accommodations useful for reading*, math*, writing*, and homework assignments*
Homework Help for ADHD: -
Parenting Supports
Articles
Helping Children Cope With Changes Resulting From COVID-19: Tips for parents from NASP
Supporting Teenagers and Young Adults during the Coronavirus Crisis: Tips for parents with older children at home
Talking to Kids about the Coronavirus: Advice from the experts including video from the Director of Trauma and Resilience Service- Child Mind Institute
Resources
Supporting Families during COVID-19: List of resources and videos
