Mental Health & Other Resources

From the National Association of School Psychologists: High-profile acts of violence, particularly in schools, can confuse and frighten children who may feel in danger or worry that their friends or loved ones are at risk. They will look to adults for information and guidance on how to react. Parents and school personnel can help children feel safe by establishing a sense of normalcy and security and talking with them about their fears.

Tips for talking to children about violence  (source: National Association of School Psychologists)
How to talk to talk with kids about terrible things  (source: NPR)
Helping children cope with terrorism–tips for families and educators  (source: National Association of School Psychologists)
Talking to children about tragedies  (source: American Academy of Pediatrics)
How to talk to children about the violence in Israel and Gaza  (source: NPR)
Helping Children Cope with Frightening News (source: Child Mind Institute)
Helping Children Cope After a Traumatic Event (source: Child Mind Institute)
Explaining the News to Our Kids (source: Common Sense Media)
Leading Conversations After Crisis (source: Teaching Tolerance)

While our teachers have been trained on this topic and we enjoy a close, connected community, open conversations about difficult topics only strengthen our school climate. Here are some important resources to consider …

Community Education Presentation on Suicide Awareness and Prevention at MPA

Dr. Todd Savage, MPA parent of an alum and professor of school psychology at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and Dr. Scott Woitaszewski, also a professor of school psychology at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, offered this presentation to our entire community.
Audio
Presentation 
 

National Association of School Psychologists Suicide Prevention Resources 

Preventing Youth Suicide 
Prevention Tips for Parents and Educators 
Prevention Tips for Teens 
 

Additional Suicide Awareness and Prevention Resources

SAVE: Suicide Awareness Voices for Education 
Crisis Numbers and Community Resources
How To Help A Friend

Below are links about depression and signs that a child's behavior may warrant additional investigation.

Depression in Youth 
When Should I Be Concerned About My Child’s Or Teen’s Behavior? 
Dealing with Teen Depression 

Know Your Rights

Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota
ACLU Minnesota
The Office of the Minnesota Attorney General
Know Your Rights With ICE

Legal

Volunteer Lawyers Network
Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota
The Advocates for Human Rights
Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid
Law Help MN Deportation Issues

General

Immigration Fraud Awareness
Minnesota Family Deportation Preparedness Manual
State of Minnesota Refugee and Immigrant Helpline
Online Detainee Locater
ICE Unidos Rapid Response Number: 612-441-2881
American Families United

Trainings

Eyes on Ice
Monarca
Red Cards (printing available in Communications)

Transportation

Metro Transit
Vehicle Repair Assistance

Food

Ramsey County Food Resources
Neighborhood House
Second Harvest
Today’s Harvest

Healthcare

Wilder
Minnesota Community Care
Open Cities Health Center

Housing

Neighborhood House
Ramsey County Housing Services and Support
Homeline

General tips/websites for friends and family of LGBTQIA+ people, and how to find a culturally-competent provider.

Finding a Culturally Competent Provider 

Tips and Resources for Friends and Family of LGBTQ Persons 

Mental Health Resources for BIPOC Communities 

 

MPA Virtual Chill Room

 

Breathe2Relax

Breathe2Relax walks users through breathing exercises that help to reduce stress, stabilize mood, control anger, and manage anxiety.

 

Calm

Calm was branded as Apple's "App of the Year" in 2017. The app is designed to reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and help you to feel happier. The app delivers meditations that can help you to destress, as well as breathing programs, music, and sounds from nature to relax your mind and body and promote better sleep.

 

SAM: Self Help for Anxiety Management

SAM is an app designed to help people manage their anxiety. Users can record their anxiety levels and identify different triggers. The app includes 25 self-help options to help users cope with the physical and mental symptoms of anxiety.

 

Pacificia

Pacifica is an app with anxiety and stress in mind. Pacifica helps you to break cycles of unhelpful thoughts, feelings, and behaviors through methods such as CBT, mindfulness meditation, mood tracking, and relaxation.
 

Happify

Happify is a space to overcome negative thoughts and stress and build resilience. Whether you are feeling stressed, anxious, or sad, Happify helps you to regain control of your thoughts and feelings.

 

Mindshift

Mindshift, for iPhone and Android devices, is designed to provide you with tools for managing various types of anxiety, including test anxiety, perfectionism, social anxiety, performance anxiety, worry, panic, and conflict.

Helpful Podcasts

Sensory Seekers in the Classroom 
Retained Primitive Reflexes 
Classroom Accommodations for Kids with Retained Primitive Reflexes

Articles for Families

Meltdowns After School - Strategies to Help 
Why does your child have a meltdown as soon as they get home from school? Read this article to learn why and use our ideas and strategies to help!
Our 10 Favorite Sensory Seeking Activities for Children 
If your child is a "sensory seeker", consider adding these 10 sensory activities to your child's sensory diet to help promote regulation throughout the day.
Tips for Creating a Sensory-Friendly Home Environment: Enhance Comfort and Development for Kids 
Discover practical tips to create a sensory-friendly home environment for children with sensory processing difficulties. Learn how to set up calming spaces, sensory bins, and more to enhance your child's comfort, development, and well-being.

Articles for Teachers

Teaching Kids About Boundaries - Child Mind Institute 
As kids mature socially, they need to learn how to set and respect boundaries. Teaching them about empathy and self-awareness is a good place to start.
Preventing meltdowns before they happen: A classroom guide 
Meltdowns in the classroom are challenging to handle. Learn tips for how teachers can identify triggers and prevent student meltdowns.