Resources
Talking to Students About COVID-19
Here are some suggestions to consider as you provide support to your student regarding the Coronavirus:
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Limit your students’ exposure to the media;
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Provide a calming influence to children, as needed; and
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Help your children address their fears and validate their feelings.
Additionally, here is some kid-friendly language you can use to describe COVID-19 and the pandemic situation we are facing:
COVID-19 (also called Coronavirus) is a new virus that doctors and scientists are still learning about. This virus has made a lot of people sick, but scientists and doctors think that most people will be okay, especially kids. Some people may get pretty sick. Doctors and health experts are working hard to help people stay healthy. It’s important for all of us to work together to follow instructions on how to be well. For most people who do become sick with COVID-19, it will feel like the flu – a fever, cough, and sometimes having a hard time taking deep breaths. Most people who have gotten the virus have not gotten very sick, but it may take a couple of weeks to feel better again. Only a small number of people who get it have had more serious problems.
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Local Mental Health Resources
We understand that the mental health needs of our students continue, even when we are not in school. If you have concerns about the mental health or well-being of a child in your care, please use the resources below to assist in getting them the support that they need, or call 9-1-1.
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Cook Children's Emergency Department
886 6th Ave., Fort Worth, TX 76104
(682) 885-4095
https://cookchildrens.org/locations/Pages/emergency-services.aspx -
Mesa Springs, Fort Worth, TX now offering online assessments and treatment plans tel:8175917519
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JPS Emergency Department
1575 S. Main Street, Fort Worth, TX 76104
(817)-702-8828
https://www.jpshealthnet.org/locations/emergency-department -
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Toll-Free: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
Toll-Free (español): 1-888-628-9454
TTY: 1-800-799-4TTY (1-800-799-4889)
Website in English: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Website in Spanish: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/help-yourself/en-espanol/ -
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
SAMHSA Hotlines SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline Toll-Free: 1-800-985-5990 (English and español)
SMS: Text TalkWithUs to 66746
SMS (español): “Hablanos” al 66746
TTY: 1-800-846-8517
Website in English: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline
Website in Spanish: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline/espanol
SAMHSA’s National Helpline Toll-Free: 1-800-662-HELP (24/7/365 Treatment Referral Information Service in English and español)
Additional Counseling Support
Lastly, we want to direct you to a few helpful documents. Click each document title to download the file:
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24 Things You Can Do for Emotional Health
This list includes activities that can benefit the emotional health of your child. -
Using Social Emotional Learning to Help in Times of Stress
This resource includes some strategies you can use with your child to regain “calm” in such a heightened time of stress.
In addition, we will update this webpage to include additional resources for our families, in the event you are seeking any additional support and mental health services, including social-emotional learning lessons for parents to facilitate at home during this time.
We hope this information and these resources will prove helpful during MWISD’s closure. Please know that we are working tirelessly to address the emotional needs of our students and families during this difficult time.
MWISD's Departments of Counseling and Counseling Intervention Services know that parenting can be difficult at times. During times of stress, there are resources that can assist our parents, offer support, and help guide you.
Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention
What Parents Can Do to Manage Coronavirus Stress in Kids
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