Mental Health Resource Page

This page is a set of resources with basic mental health principles and links. They are designed to be relevant across a broad audience but will be limited as each individual's experience, cultural background and language is unique. None of the resources or statements here are intended to substitute for an assessment from a mental health professional.

Ressources en Français Recursos en español 한국어

Why the global pandemic has worn us out and what to do about it.

• Do you find yourself struggling with ability to concentrate or stay on task?

• Are you being less productive even though your time working hasn't diminished?

• Are you more easily frustrated and short tempered?

Check out the "Why am I so Tired page" for more information about what causes this and what to do about it!

To tired to read more information? Subscribe to "Shop Talk" a podcast with Brandi and James and listen to the first episode on this article. Available for Apple and Android

Specific Topics

Help for Supervisors

• How to Help Guide an SIL guide specifically for Supervisors to guide their staff during COVID-19 well.

• All staff have been living with different levels of freedom due to lockdown, and all are dealing with unusual circumstances. As increased stress and environmental influences may result in decreased work productivity. More time doesn't equal more productivity. Everyone's response to stress can result in challenges to a person's ability to focus, concentrate and think clearly.

Anxiety during crisis

• Guide to Anxiety; Managing our Internal World - a practical strategy for managing our thoughts to lower anxiety related to COVID-19.

• Managing Emotions during a Pandemic - This article from the Headington Institute makes sense of how uncertainty affects us and what we can do about it.

• Media Exposure and Anxiety - Tips from the Headington Institute for dealing with the overwhelming news stream.

Managing Stress and Burnout

• Stress and Burnout - Resources from the Headington Institute. Start with their "How stressed are you?" assessment to see where you are now.

• If you are concerned about stress levels , for yourself or others, visit the Seeking Help page in this Guide.

To Leave or to Stay?

• A Message to Those Who Stay and Those Who Go - Help with the hard decisions and consequences related to staying or leaving a field location We all need grace and God's perspective, whatever the decision.

• Stay or Leave - How to make and cope with your decision amidst COVID-19.

Grief and Loss

Change involves loss, and loss needs to be grieved. Give yourself permission to grieve in whatever way is best for you.

• Grief Resource Folder - from SIL Care and Wellbeing.

• Faith Nurture Network -Tips for helping children process grief and loss.

Depression and Shame

• Depression Guide - An overview of depression, its signs and symptoms and practical steps to combat it. For some people, the added losses, isolation and unavailability of normal stress relievers because of COVID-19 may trigger depression.

• Honor and Shame In COVID-19 - People in different cultures are responding to the physical and mental health issues from COVID-19 in different ways

Other Language Resources

• COVID-19 Spanish Resources - lots of health resources in Spanish (Scroll down past the English links.)

• French Folder

• Korean Folder

• Trauma Healing Resources - Available in French, Spanish or English and can be used in person or online (more information below).

Tools to use

Healing The Wounds of Trauma Resources

• Beyond Disaster Folder - Trauma Healing Institute response material, designed to be used as a self-guide or to go through with a friend or group after a crisis or disaster. Available in French, Spanish or English and can be used in person or online.

• Healing from the Distress of the COVID-19 - A Trauma Healing lesson for adults facing the challenges of the COVID-19 crisis. You do not have to be a Trauma Healing Institute facilitator to use this material--it can be used in person or online (also French and Spanish).

• Peace Be Still; A Kid's Guide to Crazy Days - A COVID-19 lesson for families to go through together.

Healthy Practices in Hard Times

Every part of us is affected in a crisis. Caring for ourselves and others calls for paying attention to our bodies, our minds and our souls. Even if you don't feel particularly stressed now, establishing healthy practices may be protective as the crisis continues. Here are some resources to choose from:

• From Isolation to Invitation - A 14 day devotional from Novo for focusing your spiritual life amid isolation.

• Tips for Maintaining Sanity Amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic- Practical suggestions from Sentwell for managing your internal and external world.

• Healthy Isolation - More tips for living healthily during isolation.

• Returning Well: Consider this your 2020 mini-debriefing guide - A series of debriefing questions, on a PDF, that you can complete altogether or just the parts that stand out to you. You can do it alone or with a good listener. It may be helpful to download it to your computer and fill it out as a way of processing.

Practical ways to help yourself and your family amidst crisis:

• Post Crisis Tools: Other resources (videos, pdf's, step by step guides) on this site specifically on this topic

• SIL Third Culture Kids, Care and Education Help Guide. The "How to Help Guide" From the TC & E Department.

• 6 Ways Parents Can Support Their Kids Through Coronavirus - From UNICEF, a psychologist's advice on how to help your children deal with the many emotions they may be experiencing now.

• Helping your kids, teens and family through social isolation - Caring for teenagers (or maybe those young adults suddenly back home).

Sometimes it is hard to know when and where to refer a staff member or colleague for help. Here is a simple guide for what to do when you are concerned about the wellbeing of a colleague (or yourself).

Seeking Help Guide