Publications | Resources
Families here in Minnesota, as well as around the country and world, are navigating through ongoing uncertainty, stress and trauma as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The following resources are designed to help families and professionals support both their own mental health as well as the mental health of the children in their care as this public health crisis unfolds.
Quick Links
+ Free Webinar: Helping Children Manage COVID-19 Realities
+ Free Webinar: Supporting Students Going Back to School During the Pandemic
+ Free Puppet Show on Managing Catastrophizing Thoughts
+ List of Organizations Providing COVID-19 Resources
+ Resources from Minnesota’s Children’s Cabinet
Free Webinar
Helping Your Children Manage COVID-19 Realities: Beyond the Facts and Into the Effects on our Lives
COVID- 19 has challenged every dimension of our lives. We are all trying to make sense of what is happening — and how to engage in daily life without feeling worried or bored or even angry. Children are doing the same and are counting on their parents and caregivers to guide them. Yet we are not experts on how to navigate through this unprecedented time; we only have guesses about what could help. This webinar will explore children’s experiences and offer ideas that could mitigate the inevitable challenges of living through this crisis.
Learning Objectives:
• Appreciate the profound meaning of we are all in this together: accept the common dangers and uncertainties of life in the time of COVID-19
• Apply and rely on normal developmental processes to offer support and guidance to struggling families.
• Build on clinical creativity to help children use their minds to solve worry, boredom, anger and other feelings.
Anne Gearity, PhD
Length: 1 1/2 hours | Audience: Families and Professionals
View the webinar
(Access Password: Z6&5W==W)
Free Webinar
Packing Your Backpack with Coping Tools: Supporting Students & Building Family Resilience During the Pandemic
Our world has been turned upside down by the global pandemic. Schools have been forced to quickly shift to adapt, parents/caregivers are playing multiple unexpected roles, and no one feels prepared. This training will cover the importance of family resilience and coping skills to support student success and wellbeing. Additionally, participants will learn strategies adults can use to promote their own wellness and be responsive to children, both in and out of school.
Lauren Marlotte, PsyD, Assistant Director of Training for the Division of Population Behavioral Health and Nathanson Family Resilience Center – UCLA
Length: 1 1/2 hours | Audience: Families and Professionals
Check out additional back-to-school resources.
Chicken Little: Free Online Puppet Show
Chicken Little goes to Therapist Wherapist to learn how to manage her catastrophizing thoughts in this free online puppet show from Fidgety Fairy Tales – The Mental Health Musicals, a program of the Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health.
For parents and caregivers looking for ways to talk about mental health with their children, Chicken Little is a 15-minute story that is fun for all ages.
List of Organizations Providing Mental Health Resources Related to COVID-19
Redleaf Center for Family Healing
Serving pregnant and postpartum families in Hennepin County
Mother-Baby Hope Line: Free mental health phone support for pregnant and postpartum parents and families with children 0-5 years old, as well as the mental health and medical providers that serve them. Our staff will listen and guide you to the right support — either at the Mother-Baby Program or in your community.
This is not a crisis line. Call 612-873-4673. The HopeLine is available Monday to Friday, 8:30 am-4:30 pm.
Statewide Children’s Mental Health Crisis Response
Serving children, youth and families
Access your county children’s mental health crisis line through the State Department of Human Services
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – MN
Serving individuals and families
The helpline will continue to operate, but please know that people will need to leave a message and it may take longer to return your call. The helpline is accessible at 651-645-2948, ext. 117 or namihelps@namimn.org.
Serving individuals and families
The Minnesota Warm Line is available for peer-to-peer support, Monday-Saturday, 5-10 pm: 651-288-0400 or 1-877-404-3109
Mental Health Helpline provides information about mental health programs and services.
Phone: 1-800-862-1799
Email: helpline@mentalhealthmn.org
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Serving children and families
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
Explore more information for youth.
Serving families, early childhood providers (e.g. home visitors, child care workers, etc.) and children’s mental health providers
Parenting experts offer tips for families, including age-appropriate responses to common questions, activities for young children experiencing social distancing and more.
+ Tips for Families: Coronavirus Guide to Self-Care and Activities for Children
+ Addressing Abuse and Neglect during COVID-19
+ Navigating Pediatric Primary Care
+ Coronavirus Resources for Early Childhood Professionals
Minnesota Communities Caring for Children
Serving families
Join in a daily, 30-minute, family-friendly practice of resilience, Monday-Friday at 12:30 p.m. on Zoom.
+ By computer or smart phone: https://zoom.us/j/145915007
+ By phone: +1 312 626 6799; (meeting ID is 145 915 007)
+ By one tap mobile: +13126266799; 145915007#
Serving children, parents and children’s mental health providers
Playworks Minnesota leverages the power of play to transform children’s social and emotional health through play based learning and activities.
+ Play at Home webpage – A library of videos and other resources featuring games and activities families can play at home.
+ Play at Home Playbook in English and Spanish – Games and activities families can do in their own home, with little to no equipment necessary. (Mandarin, Vietnamese, Hmong and Somali playbooks are coming soon.)
+ Live Virtual Recess: A Playworks Coach leading a morning warm-up, a midday game, and an afternoon cool down on Facebook Live Monday- Friday at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm CT
Minnesota Department of Health
Serving individuals, children and families
Supporting Mental Well-being during COVID-19 with a list of ideas and resources for well-being for individuals, children and families.
Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health
Serving youth, families, early childhood providers (e.g. home visitors, child care workers, etc.) and children’s mental health professionals
Providing education and resources to families and youth throughout Minnesota and beyond.
+ Youth MOVE MN youth-led advocacy groups
+ Online magazine and podcast featuring youth artwork
+ Online training opportunities for professionals, including early childhood providers
Minnesota Department of Human Services
Serving early childhood providers (e.g. home visitors, child care workers, etc.) and children’s mental health professionals
Children’s Mental Health Training and Consultation
Center for Inclusive Child Care
Serving early childhood providers (e.g. home visitors, child care workers, etc.) and children’s mental health professionals
Providing free relationship-based professional development, support, training and resources for child care programs throughout Minnesota. For more information, call 651-641-8339.
Supporting Children During Uncertain Times: Responding to the Coronavirus.
Serving early childhood providers (e.g. home visitors, child care workers, etc.) and children’s mental health professionals
Online support for early childhood providers regarding trauma informed support to children and families during COVID-19. Learn more.