ECSAAG Community Newsletter
Together We Are Stronger
Family Fun Summer Activities You Can Still Do During COVID-19
Here are some things COVID-19 Can't Stop (see which options are most applicaple to your family)
- Make your own ice cream
- Run through a sprinkler
- Camp out in the backyard
- Make s’mores
- Have a water balloon fight
- Go stargazing
- Nap in a hammock
- Eat popsicles and ice cream cones
- Have a barbecue
- Try your hand at face painting
- Seek out a drive-in movie (or make your own)
- Have a backyard or indoor scavenger hunt
- Look for fireflies
- Grow a little garden
- Create a sidewalk chalk art gallery
- Finish the perfect summer read
- Go for a socially distanced hike
- Picnic in your backyard—or your living room
- Visit an outdoor farmer’s market
- Have fun at a virtual summer camp
For the rest of the ideas on the list, go to Real Simple
What Parents Can Do to Help Youth with Trauma
There are so many traumatic events youth are seeing in the news during these unprecedented times with COVID-19, the killing of George Floyd and ongoing racially motivated hate crimes. Obviously limiting exposure to the constant flood of news is an important first step, but we know it is not enough. We wanted to share some additional tips from the National Institute of Mental Health to help parents respond to their children's reactions to trauma, whether related to current events or other traumas they may have faced like being bullied, losing a loved one, facing racism themselves, having an illness, etc.
Excerpt from National Institute on Mental Health Brochure: Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Disasters and Other Traumatic Events: What Parents, Rescue Workers, and the Community Can Do
After a traumatic event, parents and family members should identify and address their own feelings—this can allow them to help others. Explain to children what happened and let them know that:
- You love them.
- The event was not their fault.
- You will do your best to take care of them.
- It’s okay for them to feel upset.
Do:
- Allow children to be sad or cry.
- Let children talk, write, or draw pictures about the event and their feelings.
- Limit viewing of repetitive news reports about traumatic events. Young children may not understand that news coverage is about one event and not multiple similar events.
- Give extra attention to children who have trouble sleeping. Let them sleep with a light on or let them sleep in your room (for a short time).
- Try to keep your usual routines (or create new routines), such as reading bedtime stories, eating dinner together, or playing games.
- Help children feel in control when possible by letting them make decisions for themselves, such as choosing meals or picking out clothes.
- Contact a health professional if, after a month in a safe environment, children are not able to perform their usual routines. (Because COVID is ongoing, consult a health care practitioner whenever in doubt. Better to error on the side of getting support or help).
- Contact a health care provider if new behavioral or emotional problems develop, particularly if these symptoms occur for more than a few weeks:
- Flashbacks (flashbacks are the mind reliving the event)
- A racing heart and sweating
- Being easily startled
- Being emotionally numb
- Being very sad or depressed
Don’t:
- Expect children to be brave or tough.
- Make children discuss the event before they are ready.
- Get angry if children show strong emotions.
- Get upset if they begin bed-wetting, acting out, or thumb-sucking.
Children’s reactions to trauma are strongly influenced by adults’ responses to trauma. Parents can help children by being supportive, by remaining as calm as possible, and by reducing other stressors, such as:
- Frequent moves or changes in place of residence
- Long periods away from family and friends (obviously, this might have to be shifted to online contact or phone calls or social distance visits)
- Pressures to perform well in school
- Fighting within the family
When monitoring healing, remember:
- Healing takes time.
- Do not ignore severe reactions.
- Pay attention to sudden changes in behaviors, speech, language use, or strong emotions.
To read the whole NIMH pamphelt go to: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/helping-children-and-adolescents-cope-with-disasters-and-other-traumatic-events/index.shtml
Mental Health Help is Available
Recycle Palooza
Been cleaning out your house during the pandemic or meaning to? Here's your chance to get rid of all your excess stuff and help the environment and your community at the same time.
Take Back Meds! This event allows you to dispose of unused or unwanted medications, which is a vitally important action you can take to help curb the Rx and Opioid Epidemic. Please help get these drugs out of the reach of potential users and dispose of them properly at this event or at your local CVS, Meijer pharmacy, or a qualified drop box. For complete list of Eaton County drop off locations for medications, go to: http://www.eatondrugfree.org/prescription-drug-and-heroin-prevention.html
Details about: Recycle-Palooza: August 22, 2020 9 am - 1 pm
PARTICIPANT RULES:
1. Events are for private (non-commercial) residents of Eaton county and GM employees.
2. Registration is required and your participation is important. If cancellation is unavoidable, please provide 48 hours notice.
3. NO refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers, or air conditioners will be accepted. Please visit our website for disposal options for freon-containing items.
4. $10 suggested donation per tv or monitor.
5. 10 1-gallon cans of paint are free per vehicle. Starting with can 11, it’s a $1 per can charge.
6. Due to public health and safety concerns, YOU MUST REMAIN IN YOUR VEHICLE for the duration of the event. Workers will retrieve your recyclables for you.
7. For the safety of everyone involved, PLEASE WEAR A MASK when interacting with others at this event.
Registration for this event is required. You may register until August 21, 2020 at 7:00 AM. After registration is complete and your address has been verified, a confirmation email will be sent to you with more detailed information regarding where the event is taking place.
Saturday, Aug 22, 2020, 09:00 AM
Will be given upon registration
Eaton County Substance Awareness Advisory Group
Vision: Our Coalition has a special focus on the prevention of drugs, tobacco and alcohol use by youth.
Email: ctuell@eatonresa.org
Website: http://www.eatondrugfree.org/
Location: 1790 Packard Highway, Charlotte, MI, USA
Phone: 517-541-8912
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ECSAAG/
Newsletter Brought to You By:
Eaton RESA Prevention Program Services
Mid-State Health Network
Eaton County Substance Awareness Advisory Group
Share our Newsletters
If you haven't seen Eaton RESA's May Whole Child Newsletter, there is information on our 2020-2021 Comprehensive School Health Professional Development schedule and resources for both educators and families. Please share it as appropriate:
https://www.smore.com/a97f2 with the hashtag #eatonengage