Week 1 – January 7th, 2021 Theme: Mental Health
Instances of mental stress and substance abuse have increased during COVID. To better understand the impacts of COVID-19 and mental health on adults, families with adolescents and older adults are encouraged to check out this article: https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/issue-brief/the-implications-of-covid-19-for-mental-health-and-substance-use/. If someone is in mental health crisis, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline can be reached at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or text “MHA” to 741-741 to talk to a trained counselor from the Crisis Text Line.
Week 2 – January 14th, 2021 Theme: Mental Health Online Screening Tool
Increased stress can lead to mental health challenges, and mental health diagnoses carry a lot of stigma preventing many from seeking support. It is sometimes hard to know if symptoms of stress are at a point where additional support is needed. Mental Health America recently developed an online screening tool for common mental health concerns, such as better understanding mental health and offering resources: https://screening.mhanational.org/screening-tools?ref=Covid
Week 3 – January 21st, 2021 Theme: Resiliency and Mental Health
Many parents are seeing a change in their children related to stress during the pandemic and may benefit from resources to support their children considering increased stress. Check out this resource for parents on promoting resilience in children: https://www.apa.org/topics/resilience/guide-parents-teachers
Week 4 – January 28th, 2021 Theme: Understanding Responsibilities of Mandated Reporting
As many children are learning from home, it is important to understand your responsibilities related to mandated reporting of child abuse and neglect. This website offers summaries of mandated reporting laws in each state, an introduction to mandated reporting, and standards for making a report: https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/systemwide/laws-policies/statutes/manda/