Support Resources for Families

Resources to Support Conversations about Violence

It is with heavy hearts that we offer these resources to support families about the recent violent tragedies.  Please reach out to anyone on our mental health team if any additional support.

• How to Talk to Kids About School Shootings (Child Mind Institute) This resource offers resources in English and Spanish about school shootings and the anxiety that may relate to them.
• Talking to children about terrorist attacks and school and community shootings in the news (National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement) This guide offers advice on how to talk to children about tragic events, such as shootings and terrorist attacks, that they are likely to hear about at school and/or on the news.
• Talking to Children about Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers (National Association of School Psychologists) This guide provides tips for parents and school personnel to help children feel safe by establishing a sense of normalcy and security and talking with them about their fears. Also includes an infographic and is translated into multiple languages.
• Restoring a Sense of Safety in the Aftermath of a Mass Shooting (Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress) A tip sheet for parents and professionals on how to restore a sense of safety and answers to frequently asked questions.
• Talking to Children About the Shooting (National Child Traumatic Stress Network) Provides information on how to talk to children about mass shootings. This tip sheet describes ways to talk to children about mass violence events that involve a shooting. It gives tips about how to start the conversation, common reactions children may have, and how to seek help if needed.
• Explaining the News to Our Kids  (Common Sense Media) This resources offers tips by different age groups.
• Having Hard But Necessary Conversations (Understood) This resource includes tips and a Feeling Wheel to help students identify their feelings about a difficult topic.
• How to Talk About School Shootings (How to Talk About ______ Book Series) FREE digital book that shares many resources to help difficult conversations.

Resources for Families

• Transgender Youth Brochure

• If you are a PARENT of a trans teen or young adult, you will likely need more than Trans 101 to feel equipped to support your child. We strongly recommend the 4-week Parent Education Series which will be more in-depth than the Trans 101. This series runs for 4 consecutive Thursday evenings each month. The next series will start on March 10. Click the link above or send your email address to [email protected] and indicate your interest in the Parent Education series.

Resources to Support Children’s Mental Health

• Supporting Youth Affected by War in Ukraine: Tips for Caregivers and Educators
• Child Mind
  • Helping Children Cope After a Traumatic Event
• Institute of Child Psychology
  • Free webinars are offered, including parenting and brain development, navigating technology with a Family Media plan, helping with meltdowns
• Kids Health
• Understood

Kids’ Podcasts that Support SEL

• Imagine Neighborhood
  • Six-part diversity, equity, and inclusion series
• The Big Life Podcast

Self-Awareness

• Zones of Regulation – A resource to help identify different emotions based on different levels of alertness.

Self-Management

• Mindfulness
  • Mind Yeti