Mental Wellness Resources

• Arlington County’s COVID-19 Mental Wellness Resources
• The ChildMind Institute is providing:
  • Facebook Live video chats with expert clinicians
  • Remote evaluations and telemedicine
  • Phone consultations for follow-up about Facebook Live events and other questions about the best way to manage kids at home
  • Daily tips for parenting during the crisis, via email Learn more here.
  • Help Your Family De-stress During Coronavirus Uncertainty (Common Sense Media)
• “How You and Your Child Can De-Stress During Coronavirus”: PBS
• Nature as Stress Relief for Kids: PBS
• Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope with the Coronavirus (National Child Traumatic Stress Network)
• Resources for Supporting Children’s Emotional Wellbeing during the COVID-19 Pandemic (Child Trend)
• UVA STAR’s Tips to Cope with Anxiety

• • Turn down the noise – Give yourself a daily break from COVID-19 media coverage so you can decompress and process what is happening. Limit children’s exposure to news so that you choose what to share with them in a developmentally appropriate way.

• • Connect with friends and family – Maintaining our social relationships helps us focus on what is truly important and reminds us that we are not alone. Call a friend, or virtually connect with friends or family as a group.

• • Maintain a flexible routine – Having a routine is more important now than ever, since knowing what to expect provides a sense of normalcy and lessens anxiety; however, be flexible, as unexpected changes will likely arise. For children, writing the schedule down and showing schedule changes visually is a good way to provide structure and predictability.

• • Tend to your physical needs daily – Getting your body moving is a great way to keep your mind busy and relieve tension, so be sure to build this into your routine. Whether you run, hike, ride a bike, work-out at a gym, do yoga, explore nature or join virtual exercise classes, there are options for adults and kids during social distancing.

• • Offer yourself a little grace – Give yourself the gift of knowing that you are not perfect but you are trying your best. If you feel nervous or tense, try relaxation strategies like deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or visualization. Drawing, journaling, and listening to music are great stress-relieving options for kids.