Counselor's Corner

Local Mental Health Resources

Pine Grove: https://www.pinegrovetreatment.com/

Mississippi Department of Mental Health Resources

This is a stressful time for many, including the adolescents in our lives. Feeling anxiety or depression is a common reaction in times of uncertainty, and the COVID-19 pandemic certainly qualifies as such a time. This is something new that we are all facing together. Please use and share the resources below with parents, educators, and administrators to support yourself, adolescents who you work with or encounter, and those around you who might be feeling overwhelmed, stressed, anxious or depressed:

Mississippi recently launched Mental Health Mississippi, a website created to help you easily access mental health services for children and adults in Mississippi. You can search com for services and resources in your local area. Visit the site to also find COVID-19 resources such as Mobile Crisis Response Teams, Crisis Lifelines, and the DMH Helpline, all of which are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help.
You can also contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text “Home” to 741741 to text with a Crisis Text Line counselor. These helplines are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to all ages.
The uncertainty of this pandemic can lead to overwhelming feelings of anxiety or depression in children and adults. Mental Health First Aid has provided some guidance in the articles linked below:
How to Support a Loved One Who is Going Through a Tough Time During COVID-19
How to Help Someone with Anxiety or Depression During COVID-19
It can be tough for parents to have the right answers to questions about an illness like COVID-19. In this video, a curious 9-year-old asks our experts common kid questions about the virus. They cover topics from traveling to taking care of family and playing with friends. Click here to watch a video answering kids’ questions about the coronavirus.
It can be difficult to comfort and reassure children regarding COVID-19. Mind Heart developed a COVID Coloring Book that can help ease the minds of children. It is available in several languages as well.
gov has released Resources to Support Youth and Families During the Coronavirus COVID-19 Outbreak

Resources for this uncertain time of COVID-19 Pandemic:

National Resources: https://www.schoolcounselor.org/school-counselors/professional-development/learn-more/coronavirus-resources

Webinar Series Training for Counselors: https://www.schoolcounselor.org/school-counselors/professional-development/webinar-series

Talking to Parents Resources: https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-climate-safety-and-crisis/health-crisis-resources/talking-to-children-about-covid-19-(coronavirus)-a-parent-resource

CDC COVID-19 Resources: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/home/index.html (there's also a link here to sign up for email updates on COVID-19)

MDE COVID-19 Information: https://www.mdek12.org/COVID19

How to Talk to Parents/Students Bulletin: https://www.mdek12.org/sites/default/files/Offices/MDE/OAE/OEER/Learning%20at%20Home/samhsa_talking_to_children_guidance.pdf

MDE Counseling Page: https://www.mdek12.org/CTE/OCCSS

MDE Socioemotional Learning Resource Link: https://www.mdek12.org/LearningAtHome/SEL

Leader in Me Resources

LiM for Families: https://www.leaderinme.org/family-resources/

LiM for Teachers: https://www.leaderinme.org/teacher-resources/

McKinney Vento