The Mental Health Minute
September 15, 2020
From the CFISD Mental Health Intervention Team
Looking at Behavior Through a New Lens
Our Children Are Looking to Us
The epidemic is already having a detrimental effect on our children’s mental health, and they are looking to us to remain a calm and grounding force in their lives. How are we supposed to do that with all that is going on right now?
Let’s face it, this is going to be hard! Perhaps the best thing we can do is accept that fact and simply try to do the best we can on any given day. Some days will go smoothly, and other days will feel chaotic and out of control. And that’s OK. In the end, this is a huge opportunity to help our children learn and practice resilience. We can do hard things. We may not do things perfectly, but we can survive.
We don’t have easy answers for you, but perhaps the following tips will help you get through days that feel impossible:
- Be Honest: Your children may hear frightening news at school, or from the friends they stay in contact with. Someone in another child’s family may get sick, or a teacher may become ill. Talk about it honestly and trust that your kids can handle the truth.
- Share Your Feelings: Children will pick up on your feelings anyway, so you might as well share them and talk about ways you are doing your best to cope. All feelings are OK to have, even the bad ones. What matters most is what we do with those feelings. Another great lesson for kids!
- Practice Gratitude: Find something to be grateful for every day. Studies have shown that being grateful, even for the little things in life, can help people remain positive. Maybe have the family make a gratitude jar so that everyone can practice gratitude?
- Accept Responsibility When You Make a Mistake: We are human and we will make mistakes. We will get frustrated and say things we regret. We will forget to do things we were supposed to do. We won’t always get it right. Acknowledge your mistakes and apologize when you hurt someone, even inadvertently. Kids are forgiving.
- Give Yourself a Break: Don’t beat yourself up so much! Remember, you are doing the best you can with the information you have at any given moment. Don’t waste your energy on what you “could’ve” or “should’ve” done differently yesterday. That day is over. Concentrate on today.
- Connect by Disconnecting: Human connection is more important than ever. Try to find time everyday, perhaps at dinner, where everyone in the family turns off devices and makes an effort to connect.
- Find Your People: Whatever you are feeling, you are not alone! Talking with other parents who share your experiences can be reaffirming. If you have a child, teen, or young adult who is struggling with mental health challenges, we offer free and confidential parent-to-parent support meetings.
https://ymhproject.org/ The Youth Mental Health Project
CFISD Guidance & Counseling Department goes Live on Facebook
Mental Health Support Available
The below information contains only a partial listing of the many resources that are available within our area and Harris County in general. We are not in a position to recommend one person or one facility over another.
The Harris Center for Mental Health Offers 24/7 Covid-19 Line 833-986-1919
ReadyHarris COVID-19 Behavioral Health Line: 833-251-7544 https://www.readyharris.org/Incidents/COVID-19-Resources-Recovery
- Mental Health America of Greater Houston https://mhahouston.org/
- Here for Texas http://www.herefortexas.com/index.html
- The Youth Mental Health Project https://ymhproject.org/
- Child Mind Institute https://childmind.org/our-care/telehealth/
- Cy-Hope Counseling http://www.cy-hopecounseling.org/
- The Anxiety Center of Houston https://www.anxietycenterhouston.com/
- Benjamin's Behavioral Health https://www.benjamins-bhs.com/
- Amy Wine Counseling https://amywinecounseling.com/
- Grief Recovery Center https://www.griefrecoveryhouston.com/
- Renewing Hope http://www.renewinghope.net/
- Shield Bearer https://shieldbearer.org/
- Mindful Transformation Counseling Center https://www.mtspringcounseling.com/
- Woodland Springs Hospital https://woodlandspringshealth.com/resources/online-therapy-guide/
- Sun Behavioral Hospital https://sunbehavioral.com/coronavirus/
- Cypress Creek Hospital https://www.cypresscreekhospital.com/
- Kingwood Pines Hospital https://kingwoodpines.com/
- Westpark Springs Hospital https://westparksprings.com/
- Discovery Mood & Anxiety Program https://discoverymood.com/