nd Young Adults: Provides curated sets of resources and tips to help young people navigate challenges stemming from pandemic disruptions. Recognizing several COVID-19 related insults to mental well-being -- dealing with sudden changes to regular schedules; feelings of uncertainty and anxiety, even loss and grief – the JED Foundation reassures that it is completely expected and appropriate to experience fear. The selected resources intend to support strategies to manage overwhelming anxiety and keep perspective as the situation unfolds.
Grief Organizations and Grief Camps: Furnishes state-by-state listings of grief camps, hospice and grief organizations intended to support children and families who are grieving. The Eluna Network compilation of state and local resources also lists curated books and web-based materials to support children and families impacted by grief, addiction and loss.
Online and Telephone Support Groups: Offers treatment providers (e.g., school counselors, psychologists) and peer support specialists an extensive list of online and telephone support groups for their clients/peers. SAMHSA’s Addiction Technology Transfer Center [ATTC] network has vetted the list to ensure that none is associated with any specific treatment/ recovery center, and that none require individuals to register first to access online group support services. Both 12 Step and non-12 Step-based online support groups are identified.
Helping Children Cope with Stress During the 2019-nCov Outbreak: Provides tips for caregivers to help children deal with stress during the COVID-19 outbreak. This one-page tip sheet was produced by the World Health Organization.
Emergency Department Visits for Suspected Suicide Attempts Among Persons Aged 12-25 Years Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic - United States, January 2019-May 2021: Reports CDC findings that emergency department (ED) visits for suspected suicide attempts began to increase in May 2020 among adolescents aged 12–17 years, especially girls. During February–March 2021 suspected suicide attempt ED visits were 50.6% higher among girls aged 12–17 years than during the same period in 2019. This report suggests these trends have persisted among young persons as the pandemic has progressed. The authors emphasize that suicide prevention requires a comprehensive approach that is adapted during times of infrastructure disruption, involves multisectoral partnerships, and implements evidence-based strategies to address the range of factors influencing suicide risk.
'I Miss the Interaction': The Pandemic Has Thrown Curveballs at School Counselors: Shares reflections by school counseling professionals about both challenges and “silver linings” when supporting students throughout the pandemic, including through distance-spanning/virtual formats. Education Week’s 3/31/21 article also describes some innovative adaptations counselors have developed to address the chief challenges.
School Disruption as a Dropout Risk Factor: Examines short and long-term effects of school disruption on the nation’s dropout rates in the context of the current pandemic. This discussion by Dr. Sandy Addis, director of National Dropout Prevention Center, is shared in a video presentation.
Unmasked Stories of Inequity: Emerging Voices from the Pandemic: Highlights young people’s experiences with remote learning throughout the pandemic and their recommendations for how policymakers, administrators, youth development specialists and other adults can better support them. In this 13-part film series from the National Urban League, young people tell their stories in their voices.
If Your Child is Worried about a Friend: Provides information parents can use to familiarize their children with the signs that a friend needs help dealing with emotional issues or may be dealing with a mental health problem. This resource, developed for the JED Foundation’s Set to Go program, teaches signs of depression or apathy, severe anxiety or stress, increased use of alcohol or drugs or compulsive behavior, that should be taken seriously.
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