Hello amazing parents and educators,

We wanted to share some amazing advice that we found about taking care of YOUR mental health, as well as your students, your kids and the parents in your community.
Advice from a psychologist:
After having thirty-one sessions this week with patients where the singular focus was COVID-19 and how to cope, I decided to consolidate my advice and make a list that I hope is helpful to all. I can’t control a lot of what is going on right now, but I can contribute this.

MENTAL HEALTH WELLNESS TIPS FOR QUARANTINE
1. Stick to a routine. Go to sleep and wake up at a reasonable time, write a schedule that is varied and includes time for work as well as self-care.

2. Get showered and dressed in comfortable clothes, wash your face, brush your teeth. Take the time to do a bath or a facial. Put on some bright colors. It is amazing how our dress can impact our mood.

3. Get out at least once a day, for at least thirty minutes. If you are concerned of contact, try first thing in the morning, or later in the evening, and try less traveled streets and avenues. If you are high risk or living with those who are high risk, open the windows and blast the fan. It is amazing how much fresh air can do for spirits.

4. Find some time to move each day, again daily for at least thirty minutes. If you don’t feel comfortable going outside, there are many YouTube videos that offer free movement classes, and if all else fails, turn on the music and have a dance party! (ahem here are some DANCEPL3Y youtube videos for you)

*** If you would like to read this full article please go to the PL3Y Education BC Facebook page for the full article and other informative articles, Linked HERE.

Here are some other resources for you:

Managing Stress, Anxiety, & Mental Health

During this unprecedented time of uncertainty and change, online support is being offered by licensed counselors and other mental health care professionals to help parents and children identify and work through issues that arise. Some services are available at no charge to those who cannot afford it.

Specific to youth:

• Kids Help Phone has registered clinical counselors available for free, 24 hours a day by webchat or telephone — 1-800-668-6868
• Kelty Mental Health, located at BC Children’s Hospital
  • Online resources for youth and parents on a variety of topics
  • Youth-in residence peer support line 1-800-665-1822 or (604)875-2084
  • Parent-in-residence support line 1-800-665-1822 or (604)875-2084
• Foundry Vancouver-Granville offers young people 12-24 access to mental health and substance use support, primary care, peer support and social services.
• Urban Native Youth Association (UNYA) supports Indigenous Youth in multiple ways, employing philosophies of two-eyed seeing, culture as therapy, trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and person-centred care in their services.
• QMunity – provides support for LGBTQ youth and their allies through publications, multimedia materials, one-on-one consultations, and interactive workshops.

General (Youth and adults):

• BC COVID-19 Mental Health Network – network of BC-based mental health professionals offering free, short term, online/telephone, one-on-one counselling to those struggling with COVID-related impacts. email: bccovidtherapists with your name, best contact info and general availability.
• Crisis Centre of BC – offers trained volunteers available to chat online (Youth and Adult services) or answer your call, 24/7. This is a suicide crisis hotline. 1-800-784-2433 or 1-800-SUICIDE. They are also expanding their mindfulness-based programs online to provide adults and youth tools to manage stress, burnout, uncertainty and change. More information.
• Vancouver Coastal Health Crisis Line: 604-872-3311 / 604-872-0113 TTY (1-866-661-3311 / 1-866-872-0113 TTY)
• Anxiety Canada – offers expert tools and resources to help Canadians manage anxiety.
• Here to Help BC – offers information, skill-building resources, and connections with key resources in BC and assistance to find information needed to manage mental health and substance use. This service also provides information needed to effectively support a loved one.
• Mood Disorders BC – provides treatment, support, education, and hope of recovery for people living with a mood disorder.
• Men’s Health Research UBC – geared toward improving the health of boys and men.
• Heads Up Guys is supported by Mens Health Research BC, and offers resources for men and boys struggling with depression.
• The Looking Glass Foundation – supports individuals struggling with eating disorders and disordered eating. Through programs and services
• S.U.C.C.E.S.S Chinese Help Lines – offers crisis lines in Chinese languages
  • Cantonese 604-270-8233 | Mandarin 604-270-8222

Articles and Blogs

• Hey kids, coronavirus has changed everything. Here’s what you need to know. (USA Today) article for kids
• Homeschooling, It’s Not What You Think – from Vancouver parent Karen Tsang.
• Now Is the Perfect Time to Lower the Parenting Bar – from The Cut’s How to Work from Home with Kids. 6 tips on how parents can get through this strange time we are in.
• Homeschooling is Not the Same as Crisis Schooling – Heather Anne has written this article to help parents with perspective on their role at this time. She was a classroom teacher for twelve years, has an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction and has been homeschooling her own kids for twelve years.
• School in the Wake of COVID-19 – Livingstone principal Carrie Froese’s blog
• A Trauma-Informed Approach to Teaching Through Coronavirus – Experts from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network share their recommendations for educators supporting students during the COVID-19 crisis.
• Comic: How To Turn Your Home Into A School Without Losing Your Sanity (NPR)
• Staying in Touch: Why Kids Need Teachers During Coronavirus School Closings (MindShift)
• ELEMENTARY, MY DEAR – Education reporter Tracy Sherlock’s blog
• Mental Health Wellness Tips for Quarantine – from psychologist Margie Donlon
• If your kids are alive and fed, you’re doing just fine (Today’s Parent)
• Keeping Siblings from Each Other’s Throats During Quarantine Forced Togetherness (Aha! Parenting)
• That Discomfort You’re Feeling Is Grief (Harvard Business Review) – The coronavirus pandemic has led to a collective loss of normalcy
• COVID-19: Mental health matters for kids and teens during pandemic (Vancouver Sun)

PS We are working on some very special offerings to support you during this time! We will be updating you in the next week or two.

Have a great long weekend and take care of YOU!
Sincerely,
Brooke Yantzi
PL3Y Education BC Regional Operator
brooke

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