Counselor Connection
February
TeenToks
TeenToks mental health app for teens and tweens (and everyone) is now available to download on the Apple App Store!
1. Is the TeenToks app free? The app is free to download and there are more than 35 free videos and meditations on the app right now! We also offer premium access to TeenToks, which unlocks more than 350 videos, meditations, and challenges as well as new content every week.
2. Is this a social media app? No, this is not a social media app. This is an educational app focused on mental health. Our featured teens work under the guidance and supervision of GoZen!
3. Is it available on Android? Soon! The first version of the app was released on Apple’s App Store. We’re collecting valuable feedback and insight from this version and we’ll be developing for Android soon. We’ll keep you posted!
4. What age range is it geared towards? We've tested the content with a variety of ages and we recommend it for kids ages 8+, tweens, teens, and even adults. :)
5. How often does content get updated? Every week! Our “Tokkers” work is ongoing, and we’ll post the best, most impactful new content weekly.
6. Who developed it? TeenToks was created by GoZen! For years we've been asked for content that speaks specifically to tweens and teens. We put our heads together and had an idea: the most powerful teacher for a teen is another teen. We put out a call to that age group and received hundreds of responses from teens who believed in our mission and wanted to help. Just like that, TeenToks was born. It's been a year in the making and we're proud to have launched this week: Get TeenToks free on the Apple App Store right here!
When Kids Get a Bad Grade
When my mom picked me up later that day, the shock of my grade had not worn off. My mom asked what was wrong. I blurted out every catastrophic thought I was holding in:
"I am not that smart."
"I am the worst in my class."
"I am never getting into a good college."
There was a long pause. She finally said, “I know you’re upset, and that’s okay. But please don’t start your sentences with 'I am.'” She saw my confusion and continued.
“That grade is not about who you are. Grades are only a part of the story of how you learn. They can show where you are or where you need help. They can never show who you are or what you’re worth. Do you understand?”
I nodded because I felt her love, but it took years for her advice to become part of my belief system. It took years for me to untether my worth from my grades, my GPA, and my other accolades. The first time I fully embraced what my mom was saying was when my own kids brought home test papers marked in red. Grades are part of a learning story.
What is Toxic Positivity?
We've all been there – your child comes to you upset about something and you naturally want to cheer them up. But sometimes, our well-meaning efforts to be positive can have the opposite effect. I was reminded of this the other day when my son and I were playing a board game together. He was getting frustrated about losing and I heard myself saying, “It’s okay, it’s just a game!” Sometimes our good intentions to offer comfort in those moments may come off as invalidating to our children. It's completely healthy to have “negative” emotions. In fact, we can help our children acknowledge their emotions as the first step to regulating them in a healthy way. In this week's parenting guide "How To Avoid Toxic Positivity with Your Child", you will find tips on how to validate your child's feelings and help them move forward when things feel tough.
Alexander, Big Life Journal
Catcher's Corner
Catcher has been busy supporting our students at school and in their extracurricular activities. He takes pride in supporting students' social and emotional needs and to providing a positive outlet to students each and every day.
You can find updates and photos of Catcher on his Facebook Page@ bcs-Catcher
Anxiety and Depression in Children
You're Fine
Have you been told “You are fine!” growing up? I have… and I still remember when I was about 7 or 8 years old, once I slipped from the climbing wall. My grandma who was watching me immediately said: “Nothing happened, you’re fine!” To this day, I remember feeling so misunderstood…It felt like she wasn’t acknowledging my pain and she didn’t think it was real. But it was. Now I know that being understood is essential to feeling connected and supported. This week’s parenting guide, “What to say instead of: “You’re Fine”, will help you flip the script to help your child reflect on their feelings and offer validation to support them. This ultimately makes them feel safe and grows their self-compassion and the capacity to be empathic with others.
Alexander, Big Life Journal
Mental Health Screening
Online screening is one of the quickest and easiest ways to determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition. Mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, are real, common, and treatable. Mental Health America provides a variety of resources for understanding and living with mental health concerns. Click on the link below to take a mental health screener.
Heating Assitance
Safer Ohio School Tip Line
988 Suicide and Crisis Helpline
Bear Bags
Mental Health America
Our mental health is in constant flux and ebbs and flows on a daily basis. Many things can impact this including our physical health. The connection between our physical body and our mental health is important and may be something worth exploring when thinking about staying mentally healthy. Learn more about whole health and what you can do to improve your overall wellness by visiting Mental Health America.
For additional information on Mental Health America:
STOP!T APP
STOPit provides students with an easy app to safely and anonymously report anything of concern to school officials. STOPit empowers students to stand up for themselves and others while giving our school the insight we need to keep students safe. Students can report bullying/cyberbully, inappropriate student/teacher relationship, violence threat, hazing, weapons possession, drugs/alcohol, and substance abuse.
The BE Code to enter for the STOPit App is: BES004002
National Online Safety
The internet has transformed the ability to access content. Many apps that children use are dependent on user-generated content which can encourage freedom of expression, imagination and creativity. However, due to the sheer volume uploaded every day, it can be difficult for platforms to regulate and moderate everything, which means that disturbing or distressing images, videos or audio clips can slip through the net. That’s why we’ve created this guide to provide parents and caregivers with some useful tips on keeping children safe online. Visit the National Online Safety website for an additional resources on how to keep your children safe.
Community Resources
Many families may have concerns that extend beyond the educational needs of their children. If you need help finding resources in our community such as food, financial assistance, health care, and mental health services, please let us help you.
Williams County Resource Guide
Williams County Health Department
Northwest Ohio Community Action Coalition
JFS Financial AssistanceMental Health Resources
Williams County Resource Guide
Williams County Referral Resource Guide
Ohio Mental Health Resource Guide
National Alliance on Mental Illness
National Council for Behavioral Health
Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction
Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation
Four County Suicide Prevention Coalition
Suicide Prevention Life Line: 800-273-8255
Crisis Line: 1-800-468-4357
Call 988 for suicide and crisis lifeline
Substance Abuse Prevention Resources
Ohio COVID-19 Resources
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine released a new set of online tools to help teens, kids, and parents deal with the mental and emotional impacts of COVID-19. For more information on how Ohio is dealing with COVID-19, visit Ohio's response to COVID-19 or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH. Visit Ohio Department of Mental Health for behavioral health-specific resources, and click HERE for a list of pop-up COVID-19 Testing Sites. For mental health resources, visit the Center for Disease Control or Mental Health America COVID-19 Resources.
Important Contact Information:
Behavioral health related questions: covid19BH@mha.ohio.gov
COVID-19-related OTP questions: OTP_COVID19@mha.ohio.gov
Housing questions: COVID19Housing@mha.ohio.gov
Telehealth questions: COVID19BHTelehealth@mha.ohio.gov
COVID Careline 1-800-720-9616.