COVID-19 Resources
Families here in Minnesota, and 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.
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
Free Webinar
COVID Is Still Here: Working on Collaborative Resilience with Children & Families
This webinar is for parents, caregivers, and professionals who are concerned with the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on families and children. The effects are accumulating as our collective resources are being spent, and new challenges—school, cold weather, social confusions, etc.—confound us. Collaborative resilience is an effort to think about how families and children must work together, and an exploration of ways to support this.
Anne Gearity, PhD
Length: 1 1/2 hours | Audience: Families and Professionals
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.
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 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.)
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 Department of Human Services
Serving early childhood providers (e.g. home visitors, child care workers, etc.) and children’s mental health professionals
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.
First Nations Health Authority
Indigenous youth in BC are staying well, even during the pandemic.
Read their pages and watch their videos to find out what they are doing to feel connected.
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.