Mental/Health Resources

Dear Henderson Community,

As we continue to navigate the COVID-19 outbreak, the wellness and safety of all our students remain our top priority. We understand all of our families are adjusting to the new expectations for learning at home and the impact disruptions in daily routines can have on our students. In addition to keeping your children physically safe during these uncertain times, it is important to monitor and care for their social-emotional health. The Henderson school wants to continue to support all of our students and families by sharing some strategies and community supports.


All Children Will Respond Differently
Children’s responses to our current events will be varied. Some children may display feelings of sadness, irritability, anger or withdrawal as they navigate their feelings during these unfamiliar times. Your child may exhibit new behavior(s) as a natural response to the significant changes going on in their lives. We encourage you to talk to your child about how they are feeling. As a parent, you can help ease feelings of stress and anxiety by having open communication and reassuring your child's safety and security.


Structures and Routines
Our students are familiar with daily routines, so we encourage you to keep them going at home. Consistent meal times and bedtime routines, as well as daily schedules for learning and leisure time, will be important to help learn and manage new expectations for learning at home. We want to remind all our families to stay connected with school staff and reach out to your child’s teacher or other school support staff member if you have any concerns with how your child is coping with the transition - we are here to support you!


Take Care of Yourself
Our student’s well-being depends on their parents and caregivers. It is important for all of us to engage in our own self-care and to stay connected with family and loved ones. There is only one amount you can give before you feel mentally, emotionally, and physically drained. "That is why it is a necessity, not a luxury, to take time to take care of yourself so that you can recharge and feel empowered to continue supporting and caring for your child (Kids Health).


Self-care tips that you can do from home:

  • Take breaks (find activities that will help you relax)

  • Stay active (go outside, take a walk, try a new home workout)

  • Eat well

  • Ask for help (it's okay if you're overwhelmed - this is new to everyone)


Please Reach Out for Support
If you notice a change in behavior or the emotional well-being of your child (e.g increase in challenging/unsafe behavior, high levels of stress or anxiety) during the transition to learning at home that does not improve with your support, please take advantage of the resources available to help you. We have included a list of community supports available to our families:

Family Supports


Emergency Mental Health Services

Boston Emergency Services Team - A mental health emergency hotline to do crisis evaluation and treatment

Crisis Hotline Resources - Crisis hotlines for youth, young adults, and families.

Helping Children Cope with Emergencies (CDC)


Social-Emotional Learning

Free Second Step Social-Emotional Resources - List of resources to help children learn the social-emotional skills to help navigate these difficult transitions.

Headspace - Headspace provides guided mindfulness activities, including sleep and movement exercises.

Go Noodle - Movement and mindfulness videos created by experts in child development. This is a free resource for families.

Positive Behavior Support Resources - Positive behavior supports for all ages.

Self-care for adults

There is only one amount you can give before you feel mentally, emotionally, and physically drained. "That is why it is a necessity, not a luxury, to take time to take care of yourself so that you can recharge and feel empowered to continue supporting and caring for your child (Kids Health)."

Tips : Take breaks (nap, read, whatever allows you to relax); Eat well (try to eat foods that don't make you feel tired and exhausted); Ask for help (ask for help from friends and family, or contact an agency mentioned in this document), and acknowledge your feelings (it's okay if you're overwhelmed by life's stressors, talk to a friend or family member about your feelings) .

Emergency psychiatric assistance:

Boston Emergency Services Team (BEST) - Provides a comprehensive and highly integrated crisis assessment system and treatment services in the greater Boston area to children, adolescents and adults. 800-981-4357 | Offices: 85 E Newton Street, Boston, MA 02118 & 140B South Street, Jamaica Plain, MA


boston.gov/coronavirus.

Seasonal Flu

The flu season is currently upon us and has not yet peaked. The flu virus can be transmitted from person-to-person in your home, community, or schools if people infected with the virus come in close contact with other people. Symptoms of the flu include:

  • Fever (100.4° F or greater using an oral thermometer)

  • Cough

  • Sore throat

  • Runny or stuffy nose

  • Muscle or body aches

  • Headaches

  • Fatigue (tiredness)

  • Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea

Any employee experiencing flu-like symptoms should stay home utilizing sick leave until they are free of fever and any other flu-like symptoms for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines (e.g., cough suppressants). Employees should notify their supervisor if they are staying home sick with flu-like symptoms, as the City will be monitoring the incidents of flu throughout the organization. Employees who develop or exhibit flu-like symptoms or other illness while at work will be directed to go home. Please go to www.bphc.org for more information on flu-like symptoms.

  • In order to prevent the spread of flu and cold:

  • Wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.

  • Avoid touching your eyes and face.

  • Clean things that are frequently touched (like doorknobs and countertops) with household cleaning spray or wipes.

  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow.

  • Stay home when feeling sick.

  • Get a flu shot.

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The City is continuing to monitor the coronavirus outbreak. Coronaviruses are respiratory viruses and are generally spread through respiratory secretions (droplets from coughs and sneezes) of an infected person to another person. Symptoms are similar to the seasonal flu as are preventative measures. The City is diligently monitoring the spread of coronavirus and will continue to support efforts to educate the public about the virus and promote prevention.

It is important to understand, however, that as of March 4, 2020, the CDC has advised that anyone returning to the United States from countries or places with a level 3 alert (currently China, South Korea, Iran, and Italy) should stay home and monitor their health for 14 days after returning to the US. Anyone returning to the United States from countries or places with a level 2 alert (currently only Japan) should monitor their health and limit interactions with others for 14 days after returning to the US.

This includes:

  • Taking your temperature with a thermometer twice a day and watching for a fever. A fever is a temperature 100.4°F/38°C or higher.

  • Watch for other symptoms including a cough, trouble breathing, shortness of breath.

If you have traveled to one of these areas and experience a fever (100.4°F/38°C or higher) or any other symptoms, call your health care provider immediately. Call ahead before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room.


More Medical Resources


PM Pediatrics is now offering telemedicine for children's doctors appointments in Massachusetts. Available 8am-Midnight: https://pmpediatrics.com/pmpanywhere/

Public Resource List compiled by the Vital Village Network at Boston Medical Center.