Mental Health
Resources for Children and Families during Coronavirus
General Coronavirus Resources
Child Mind Institute: Sign up with your email and receive daily tips on how to support kids during the Covid-19 crisis: https://signup.e2ma.net/signup/1917784/1800565/
The CDC has great general tips about coronavirus and kids: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/children.html
Talking to Kids About Coronavirus
Kids may have many misconceptions and fears about coronavirus. They will also pick up on the feelings of the parents around this, whether it be frustration, fear, perseverance, or more. Here are some links that might help as you talk to your kids:
Stress Management For Kids
Many children are experiencing stress related to the virus, disrupted routines, and more. You can help your child manage their stress through talking, rhythmic activities, deep breathing, meditation, routines, good sleep and nutrition, and more. There are many tips in the other topics here, as well as a couple of general resources listed here:
Stress Management For Parents
Unfortunately, we are all feeling stress during these times. Stress sometimes causes us to act in unhealthy or unsafe ways, so it is vital that parents manage their stresses well in order to be and do the best for their kids. Here are some ideas for this:
Grief due COVID-19
Many children, parents, and staff are grieving the loss of connections with friends, loss of a predictable schedule, loss of plans and anticipated events, and more. Children who have experienced previous losses may grieve more significantly. It is important that we recognize our feelings and give ourselves time to recover from these losses. Here are some resources that might help:
Supporting Bereaved Children (4 minute video)
Rhythm
Rhythm is a fun way to reduce stress on our bodies and emotions. Faster rhythms can make you feel more alert, while slower rhythms can quiet your mind and help your body relax. Rhythm activities include singing, dancing, walking, jumping rope...the possibilities are endless.
Breathing
Deep breathing is one of the best ways to manage stress. When you breathe deeply, it sends a message to your brain to calm down and relax.
Meditation/Guided Meditation
Meditation can help us relax and keep calm when we are under physical and mental stress. Practicing mindfulness can reduce stress and lower blood pressure so you’ll feel more relaxed.
Communication
Communicating effectively is a good way to reduce stress and strengthen relationships. It is especially important for us to use good communication skills during uncertain times to help us connect with each other, resolve issues and to stay as safe and healthy as possible.
Sleep
Did you know kids, even teens, need at least 9 hours of sleep each night? Good sleep helps mental health, physical health, and boosts your immunity! This break in our routines is a great time to make sure that good sleep actually happens. Here are some tips on the topic:
Daily Schedule
Routine is important to keep our children healthy and happy. Each family’s routine will look different and it is important to be flexible too. All kids need routine that includes physical activity and food every couple of hours as well as play, academics, chores, and more. Here are some articles and sample schedules that you might find helpful:
Sibling Relationships
It is normal that kids squabble when they are together for an extended amount of time, and this often is stressful for parents too. Here are some ways you can keep the peace in your home.
What to Do About Sibling Rivalry (6 minute video)
Nutrition
Food can be challenging for some families, and of course important for all families. Here are some resources for local meals, as well as articles about eating easily and well.
Children with Special Needs
Children with medical or emotional special needs may need some extra care and attention at this time. These articles and videos give some information about this.
Helping Students With Special Needs (3 minute video)
Discipline
Discipline can be challenging in a whole new way when you are home all day every day with your kids and when you are under stress. Check out these tips to keep behaviors and discipline managed successfully at home.
Rethinking Challenging Kids (20 minute video)
Creative Play With Kids
With so much time on your hands, it can be hard to come up with things to do with your kids. Here are some ideas:
6 Simple Games That Teach Your Kid Self-Regulation (1 minute video for young kids)
School Counselors
Elementary Counselors
Highland Park - Susan Brien - sbrien@stillwaterschools.com
Richmond - Leslie McSpadden - lmcspadden@stillwaterschools.com - Website - Parent Referral Form
Sangre Ridge - Emily Deason - edeason@stillwaterschools.com - Website
Skyline - Keirstin Sexton - ksexton@stillwaterschools.com - Website - Parent Referral Form
Westwood - Lauren Gin - lgin@stillwaterschools.com - Website
Will Rogers - Michelle Schaecher - mschaecher@stillwaterschools.com
High Needs Counselors
Amber Lewis - alewis@stillwaterschools.com - Website
Brooke Brunken - bbrunken@stillwaterschools.com - Website
Secondary Counselors
SMS
Johnna Hayes jhayes@stillwaterschools.com - Website
Krissi Morton kmorton@stillwaterschools.com - Website
Here are links to a few helpful things for middle school students and parents.
SJHS
JH Parent/Guardian Request for School Counseling and/or Mental Health Resources
Suzanne Birdwell - sbirdwell@stillwaterschools.com - Website
Mika Lucas - mlucas@stillwaterschools.com - Website
SHS
Riann Swanson - rswanson@stillwaterschools.com - Website
Michael White - mwhite@stillwaterschools.com - Website
Lindy Zamborsky - lzamborsky@stillwaterschools.com - Website
SPS Employee Assistance Program
For employees who may need assistance to overcome issues that are interfering with their ability to function in the workplace, available access to outside counseling and referrals to appropriate community and professional resources is important. Stillwater Public Schools has arranged with 5 the licensed professional EAP counselors of Grand Lake Mental Health Center, Inc. to provide some of these services to our employees at no cost to the employee.
This voluntary, employee-focused intervention program offers assessment, counseling, referrals and follow-up services to employees who have personal or work-related issues and want assistance to identify solutions. Issues that may threaten the employee’s health, effectiveness on the job, and work attendance sometimes include but may not be limited to;
• Stress
• Grief
• Marriage and divorce
• Child/spouse abuse
• Eating disorders
• Family
• Smoking cessation
• Depression
• Aging
• Financial stress, credit problems
• Work
• Alcohol & drug abuse
• Parent-child relationships
• Eldercare
Stillwater Public Schools will fully support the initial visit and some subsequent visits with our EAP provider. Extended services requested by the employee may be at the expense of the individual. Insurance may apply.
Grand Lake Mental Health Center, Inc. has offices in Stillwater.
The EAP provider does not inform Stillwater Public Schools of the identity of employees inquiring about or accessing these services. The EAP provider will supply Human Resources with utilization and activity reports showing number of requests for service and type of service provided without any personal identification.
USING THE EAP
To access the services of Grand Lake Mental Health Center, Inc. please complete a referral form here, indicating 'SPS-EAP' as the reason for referral. Urgent requests for service are expected to be addressed within 24 hours. Non-urgent requests will be scheduled within 10 business days. Grand Lake Mental Health Center, Inc. shall provide guaranteed complete privacy and protection for EAP client records.
If you need assistance accessing services please call 405-372-2202 or email abeard@glmhc.net.
ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE
In addition, an excellent resource for assistance is United Way of Payne County.
United Way of Payne County identifies more than twenty Partner Agencies whose mission is to provide support in a variety of areas, including counseling, legal aid, household necessities, adult day care, healthcare, transitional living services, meals, training and others. United Way of Payne County can be contacted at 405-377-2161, or by visiting at 109 E. Ninth Ave in Stillwater.
Counseling Agencies
Alexander Warren Group - (405)533-1222 - 1409 S. Main, Stillwater, OK 74074
CREOKS Behavioral Health Services - (405)372-7791 - 121 S. Duck, Stillwater, OK 74074
Connecting the Pieces - (484)808-5680 - 1209 S. Main, Stillwater, OK 74074
Dayspring of OK - (405)743-2946 - 522 E. Lakeview Rd., Stillwater, OK 74075
Focus Institute - (405)377-6768 - 920 S. Main, Stillwater, OK 74074
Grand Lakes Mental Health Center - (405)372-2202 - 604 S. Walnut, Stillwater, OK 74074
Lexie Garis - (405)707-9600 - 116 W. 7th Ave. Suite 211 Stillwater, OK 74074
Mary Melton - (405)372-2300 - 1601 S. Main, Stillwater, OK 74074
OSU Counseling and Counseling Psychology Clinic - (405)744-6980 - 111 PIO Building, Stillwater, OK 74078
OSU Psychological Services - (405)744-5975 - 118 N. Murray Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078
Payne County Youth Services - (405)377-3380 - 2224 W. 12th St., Stillwater, OK 74074
Stillwater Interfaith Counseling - (405)624-5840 - 807 S. Pine St., Stillwater, OK 74074
Wings of Hope Family Crisis Services - (405)372-9922 - 3800 N. Washington, Stillwater, OK 74075
Crisis Hotlines
Please reach out if you are in crisis. We know that stress can lead to really difficult situations, and it is important to get help before it is too late.
Domestic Violence - 800-799-7233 (SAFE)
Child Abuse - 800-422-4453 (4ACHILD)
Suicide - 800-273-8255
Local Mental Health: Grand Lake Mental Health Center - 800-722-3611
Local Mental Health: Payne County Youth Services - 405-377-3380
SafePlace: Text “SAFE” and current location to 4HELP (44357)