Mental Health Resources During COVID-19

We know that maintaining mental health and accessing mental health resources during COVID-19 are crucial elements for happiness and success. However, many people don’t have access to the mental health resources they need for their children or even know where to look. As we navigate this unprecedented time together, it’s critical to understand how a pandemic affects our children’s mental health, what we can do to mitigate stress and provide resources for each other to stay mentally well.

How Does COVID-19 Affect Our Children’s Mental Health?

The COVID-19 pandemic restricts children from going to in-person classes, visiting their friends and playing outside—all activities that are important to a child’s interpersonal skills and happiness. During the pandemic, it’s been essential to discover creative alternatives to in-person activities for our children to encourage personal growth, protect their mental wellness and explain to them why we have to stay remote for now.

What Are Some Ways I Can Support Children’s Mental Health During COVID-19?

To help children’s mental health, support Keke and Clyde! Additionally, share these resources with your friends, family, educators or any other people in your community who may benefit from them.

What Can I Do to Help Children With Stress During the COVID-19 Pandemic?

Take time to sit down with your child and ask how they are feeling or if they have questions about the pandemic. Support them and let them know that they are heard — explain that this is hard for all of us and we all want to get through it so we can see our friends again. Give them tools to help with stress, allow them to just relax with family more and maybe let them play more games than normal.

Causes and Types of Mental Health Concerns in Children During COVID-19

Few situational examples, descriptions of mental health and how they present in children...

• Isolation

• Depression

• Anxiety

• etc.

How to Emotionally Deal With COVID-19

The pandemic is emotionally difficult and has affected our collective mental health. In addition to taking time to speak to your children, friends, family or community members and being there to support each other, there are many external mental health resources on the internet. We’ve compiled this list of resources to help you as you guide your child through the difficult times and mental health challenges that COVID-19 has caused.

Online resources about COVID-19 and mental health:

• PBS: Coronavirus Resources for Parents 

• Save the Children: Brain-Building Moments with Vroom

• Zero to Three: Parent Coronavirus Questions Answered

• Zero to Three: Helping Families with Young Children Transition After Pandemic Restrictions

• Zero to Three: What Comes Next? Back to Childcare Following Shelter-in-Place

• Sesame Street: Caring

• NAMI: COVID-19 Resource and Information Guide

• UNICEF: Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health During COVID-19 School Return

• CNN: Explaining CDC Physical Distancing

• CNN: Returning to School After COVID

• NASP: COVID-19 and Returning to School

• APA: Parenting and Caregiving — Healthy Habits

• NPR: A Kid’s Guide to Coping with the Pandemic (and a printable zine!)

Order your copy of Keke and Clyde today and share these resources with your family and friends.