Support and Resource Package
Resources for Parents, Students, and Staff in Times of Need
Introduction
If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911 immediately.
This resource contains supports for the following topics:
- Avondale Specific Supports and Services
- Crisis Resources
- Grief and Loss Support
- OK2Say Anonymous Reporting
Oakland County Health Division
Oakland County Health Division is offering mental health support and resources to all Oakland County residents in the aftermath of the Oxford High School tragedy. Please click here or call 800-231-1127.
School Counselors and Social Workers
School Counselors and Social Workers are available to consult with parents, meet with students or refer to agencies or services outside of the district. To identify which counselor or social worker is assigned to your building please access the list here: Avondale Support Team
Gaggle Therapy
Trauma Support
The safety and security of students and staff is the priority of Avondale School District. In partnership with Oakland Schools, we are offering mental health resources to help students, teachers, and families maneuver the days ahead.
Additional Resources include:
OK2SAY
Honor Community Health
Contact information:
- 248-537-6235
Location:
- Avondale High School
Crisis Text Line
In a crisis?
Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor
Free 24/7 support at your fingertips
US and Canada: text 741741
Crisis Text Line | Text HOME To 741741 free, 24/7 Crisis Counseling
Common Ground
What happened to you? Whatever it is, we’re here to listen, to care, and to help with our Resource & Crisis Helpline/Text/Chat, crisis intervention services, legal clinics, and more.
- 24/7 Resource and Crisis Helpline/Text/Chat
- Call 1.800.231.1127 to speak with our professionally trained Helpline volunteers. Common Ground can empower you with crisis related information and referrals to local services. For general inquiries, please call 1-248-451-2600.
- Walk-In Assessment & Crisis Intervention
- At the Resource & Crisis Center in Pontiac, Michigan, Common Ground provides trauma-informed, recovery focused, face-to-face assessment, crisis intervention and stabilization services to individuals, including children, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We focus on problem-solving and assertive crisis resolution strategies tailored to each person’s specific needs. Visit us today. For General information, please call 1-248-451-2600.
- Mobile Crisis Intervention & Recovery Teams
- Our mobile teams provide recovery oriented crisis intervention to people throughout Oakland and Genesee Counties. Service is available regardless of income, insurance, or permanent residence. To learn more, please call the Resource and Crisis Center at 1-248-451-2600.
- Victim Assistance Program
- Common Ground provides 24-hour access to counselors and advocates for victims of crime, domestic and sexual abuse, and workplace violence. We offer on-site advocacy, death notification, personal protection order assistance, and accompaniment of victims to hospitals, police stations, and court rooms. To learn more, call 1-248-451-2600.
- Legal Clinic
- Twice weekly, our unique team of volunteer attorneys and crisis counselors offers personalized legal advice combined with emotional support, free of cost.
HAVEN (Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence)
877.922-1274
www.haven-oakland.org\
HAVEN provides shelter, counseling, advocacy and educational programming for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Judson Center
Judson Center offers counseling for children, teens and adults. Our highly trained therapists will provide you a safe space to be heard, offer support and guidance and help you learn new skills to address the issues you are facing.
We specialize in:
- children and young adults with autism,
- families involved with the foster care and adoption systems,
- individuals faced with mental health issues and substance use disorders, and
- children with severe emotional challenges.
We offer 3 convenient locations:
- Oakland County 4410 W. 13 Mile Rd. Royal Oak, Mi 48073
- Macomb County 12200 E. 13 Mile Rd. Warren, Mi 48093
- Wayne County 12723 Telegraph Rd. Redford, Mi 48239
Call Us at 586-573-1810 or visit us at judsoncenterhealth.org
The Trevor Project
Our trained counselors are here to support you 24/7. If you are a young person in crisis, feeling suicidal, or in need of a safe and judgment-free place to talk, call the TrevorLifeline now at 1-866-488-7386.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.
1-800-273-8255Coalition to Support Grieving Students
Video and downloadable grief support modules for school personnel
The Dougy Center
When someone dies, it can feel like you’re alone in your grief. At Dougy Center, you will find support, resources, and connection before and after a death.
Grief Resources
Sandcastles Grief Support Program
Institute for Hope
Grief is the natural reaction to death and loss, and it comes in many forms. We usually think of grief as a response to death, but any change can bring about a grief response – changes in relationships, jobs, health, school, living situations. Sometimes even positive changes have sadness attached to them (e.g., moving to a nicer house means the loss of old familiar surroundings). 248-872-7772
Holding on to Life Toolkit
This packet has been designed for the family members of a person 15-24 years of age who is experiencing a difficult time in his/her life. If your loved one is a different age, you will likely still find this information helpful.
grief speaks - COVID 19 grief resources
We can thrive when we feel safe, seen, heard and supported
- Understand that children and teens are experiencing a lot of loss now too. Suddenly young people found themselves sheltering in at home, with their families 24/7, away from school, their routine and structure, friends, teachers, school counselors, coaches, as well as grandparents and other relatives and other trusted adults. They can't participate on their sport teams, clubs and other extra curriculur activities, part time jobs. There is potential for the loss of future celebrations and accomplishments such as a school play, orchestra or band performance, competing in another season of a sport, prom or graduation. They didn't even get to say goodbye. They can't even go outside and play at a park, meet friends or ride their bikes freely. Some children depend on school for food and clean water as well as the safety of connections to caring adults. There was no time for them to anticipate their losses, it all happened abruptly. So they are grieving. And many families have lost a loved one to COVID-19 or are sick with the virus. Some are worried about a loved one who has underlying health issues and can be at greater risk for complications. Many children have parents who are essential workers and worry about them getting sick or themselves contracting it from a parent who has to work. And many young people are living with a parent or caregiver who is stressed, worried, or acting differently. Many worry that something they do or did may cause a loved to get sick. Please let's not minimize their feelings, compare losses or make them feel guilty for grieving their losses. Instead listen, understand and validate their feelings. We never want to shame anyone for having or sharing their feelings. We want to thank them for trusting us enough with sharing their honest feelings.
- Learn some typical signs of stress and grief in young people. Some of these may include an inability to focus, sleep and appetite disturbances, irritability and fighting, not wanting to leave home even for a walk, a drop in academic performance, forgetfulness, bouts of crying, etc. Pay attention to these signs, be understanding and ask if the child can use some extra support. Show extra care, kindness and patience. Validate their feelings. Provide hope and reassurance as well. Children truly appreciate parents and educators who show compassion and show they understand.
- Be honest. Tell children the truth but while reassuring them, giving them hope and pointing out all the good that so many people around the world are doing now to help. So many young people, families, groups, countries and companies are helping one another. We are all in this together. Try to follow their lead in asking questions but know that some children won't ask directly yet will show signs of anxiety or grief so you may want to initiate a conversation. Be supportive, create safety and try to be calm. Take care of your own emotions as well.
- Model calm and model healthy coping strategies. Children look to adults to see how we handle a crisis. When we display a calm demeanor, they can "catch our calm" as my dear friend Arlene, of Caring Contact, likes to say. We can also show them things that we do that help us to cope such as journaling, talking to a trusted friend who listens more than gives advice, exercise inside and outside, daily slow and steady breathing exercises, meditation or yoga or mindfulness practice, reading, prayer, music, nature, checking on others, reaching out to help our community. Encourage the child to create a self-care coping card listing healthy activities, people or words that inspire them.
- Encourage children to develop a new schedule or routine. Since routine and schedules are things that can help restore a sense of calm and predictability, increase a sense of control, it helps to work with a child to create new routines for themselves. Teachers can do this with their online presence and parents can help by sharing with their children some of their own daily routine. This may include a morning routine of waking up at the same time each day, showering, having a nutritious breakfast, making a gratitude list, practice slow breathing, focusing on a word for the day such as peaceful or relaxing or productive, going for a walk to help wake up, make or look at their daily list of things to get done.
- Limit exposure to the news. Children often take in more than we realize and are paying attention more than we know. Please limit how much you listen to the news for yourself as well as for children/teens. Too much focus on the panic, number of deaths and hospitalizations can be extremely frightening for all of us but especially children. We need to limit the amount of news we listen to as well. Some children will tell a parent that they don't want to hear it anymore, some will walk away, some will act out and some will simply shut down. Please be mindful of your phone and zoom conversations with others while children are present. Some adults have started using the car as a private space to talk about their own fears to a trusted friend or having virtual therapy sessions.
- Understand children are worried. Some children show feelings and some don't. Some talk about their worries and some internalize them. Many young people share that they worry about their older relatives getting sick. Many are afraid that they won't see their friends again or go back to normal anytime soon. Some will be more clingy, withdrawn, or cry. Some will isolate and internalize their fears. Children need lots of love, time and attention now more than ever.
- Try to enjoy the extra time and moments together that you may not have had previously. Ideas for connecting for everyone in the family: play music, charades, sing, play Simon Says, take family walks, play hopscotch, camp out in the house with a tent or fort, dance, journal, make a collage, play some games together, watch a fun or inspiring movie, do a zoom call with relatives, cook a dinner together,
- Strategies for calming oneself: practice some mindfulness activity or try some yoga (so many apps offering free sessions), journaling or some use a brain dump (at night keep a pad next to the bed and anything on one's mind they can write in the pad and turn the pad over). Minimize unhealthy behaviors such as alcohol.
Abuse & Family Violence
Care House of Oakland County
248-332-7173