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Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus Crisis - Child Mind Institute

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What parents and other adults can say to kids about the coronavirus COVID-19. How to answer their questions and keep kids feeling safe.

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Witnessing a parent in a state of anxiety can be more than just momentarily unsettling for children. Kids look to their parents for information about how to interpret ambiguous situations; if a parent seems consistently anxious and fearful, the child will determine that a variety of scenarios are unsafe. And there is evidence that children of anxious parents are more likely to exhibit anxiety themselves, a probable combination of genetic risk factors and learned behaviors.

It can be painful to think that, despite your best intentions, you may find yourself transmitting your own stress to your child. But if you are dealing with anxiety and start to notice your child exhibiting anxious behaviors, the first important thing is not to get bogged down by guilt. "There's no need to punish yourself," says Jamie Howard, PhD, director of the Stress and Resilience Program at the Child Mind Institute. "It feels really bad to have anxiety, and it's not easy to turn off."

But the transmission of anxiety from parent to child is not inevitable. The second important thing to do is implement strategies to help ensure that you do not pass your anxiety on to your kids. That means managing your own stress as effectively as possible, and helping your kids manage theirs. "If a child is prone to anxiety," Dr. Howard adds, "it's helpful to know it sooner and to learn the strategies to manage sooner."

It can be very difficult to communicate a sense of calm to your child when you are struggling to cope with your own anxiety.

When we are feeling anxious, we start worrying about what might happen in the future - all those "what ifs." To avoid getting caught up in worries about the future, try practicing mindfulness, which is a technique for focusing on the present. Here are two common mindfulness techniques to try:

Squeeze Muscles: Starting at your toes, pick one muscle and squeeze it tight. Count to five. Release, and notice how your body changes. Repeat exercise moving up your body.

Belly Breathing: Put one hand on your stomach and one hand on your chest. Slowly breathe in from your stomach (expand like a balloon) and slowly breathe out (deflate).

You can try to practice mindfulness in the moment when you're feeling anxious, but it is also a good idea to set aside time to be mindful every day. Regular practice will help you use the techniques more effectively when you really need them, and it can also make you feel calmer in general.

Pay attention to what triggers your anxiety. While feeling anxiety is unavoidable sometimes, we can also make it worse by dwelling on it. If you are someone who jumps to the worst-case scenario when you have a tickle in your throat, using WebMD might make you even more alarmed. Likewise, if you are stressed out by what's happening in the news, spending time reading it - or even using social media - might make you feel worse. Setting boundaries about when and how you will engage with things that could trigger your anxiety is a good idea.

If your anxiety is severe and practicing mindfulness and setting boundaries on your own isn't helping, consulting a mental health professional makes sense. A clinician can help you work through methods of stress management that will suit your specific needs. As you learn to tolerate stress, you will in turn be teaching your child - who takes cues from your behavior - how to cope with situations of uncertainty or doubt.

"A big part of treatment for children with anxiety," explains Laura Kirmayer, PhD, a clinical psychologist, "is actually teaching parents stress tolerance. It's a simultaneous process - it's both directing the parent's anxiety, and then how they also support and scaffold the child's development of stress tolerance."

When you learn some strategies for managing stress that work for you, you can then impart them to your child when she is feeling anxious. If, for example, you are working on thinking rationally during times of stress, you can practice those same skills with your child. Say to her: "I understand that you are scared, but what are the chances something scary is actually going to happen?"

Try to maintain a calm, neutral demeanor in front of your child, even as you are working on managing your anxiety. Dr. Howard says, "Be aware of your facial expressions, the words you choose, and the intensity of the emotion you express, because kids are reading you. They're little sponges and they pick up on everything."

While you don't want your child to witness every anxious moment you experience, you do not have to constantly suppress your emotions. It's okay - and even healthy - for children to see their parents cope with stress every now and then, but you want to explain why you reacted in the way that you did.

Let's say, for example, you lost your temper because you were worried about getting your child to school on time. Later, when things are calm, say to her: "Do you remember when I got really frustrated in the morning? I was feeling anxious because you were late for school, and the way I managed my anxiety was by yelling. But there are other ways you can manage it too. Maybe we can come up with a better way of leaving the house each morning."

Talking about anxiety in this way gives children permission to feel stress, explains Dr. Kirmayer, and sends the message that stress is manageable. "If we feel like we have to constantly protect our children from seeing us sad, or angry, or anxious, we're subtly giving our children the message that they don't have permission to feel those feelings, or express them, or manage them," she adds. "Then we're also, in a way, giving them an indication that there isn't a way to manage them when they happen."

Come up with strategies in advance for managing specific situations that trigger your stress. You may even involve your child in the plan. If, for example, you find yourself feeling anxious about getting your son ready for bed by a reasonable hour, talk to him about how you can work together to better handle this stressful transition in the future. Maybe you can come up with a plan wherein he earns points toward a privilege whenever he goes through his evening routine without protesting his bedtime.

These strategies should be used sparingly: You don't want to put the responsibility on your child to manage your anxiety if it permeates many aspects of your life. But seeing you implement a plan to curb specific anxious moments lets him know that stress can be tolerated and managed.

If you know that a situation causes you undue stress, you might want to plan ahead to absent yourself from that situation so your children will not interpret it as unsafe. Let's say, for example, that school drop-offs fill you with anxiety. Eventually you want to be able to take your child to school, but if you are still in treatment, you can ask a co-parent or another trusted adult to handle the drop off. "You don't want to model this very worried, concerned expression upon separating from your children," says Dr. Howard. "You don't want them to think that there's anything dangerous about dropping them off at school."

In general, if you feel yourself becoming overwhelmed with anxiety in the presence of your child, try to take a break. Danielle Veith, a stay-at-home mom who blogs about her struggles with anxiety, will take some time to herself and engage in stress-relieving activities when she starts to feel acutely anxious. "I have a list of to-do-right-this-second tips for dealing with a panic, which I carry with me: take a walk, drink tea, take a bath, or just get out the door into the air," she says. "For me, it's about trusting in the fact that the anxiety will pass and just getting through until it passes."

Trying to parent while struggling with your own mental health can be a challenge, but you don't have to do it alone. There is a lot of support online, on blogs, forums and social media. Getting support from the people in your life is important, too. Those people can be therapists, co-parents, or friends - anyone who will step in when you feel overwhelmed, or even just offer words of support. "I am a part of an actual support group, but I also have a network of friends," says Veith. "I am open with friends about who I am, because I need to be able to call on them and ask for help. "

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How to Avoid Passing Anxiety on to Your Kids - Child Mind Institute

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Witnessing a parent in a state of anxiety can be more than just momentarily unsettling for children. Kids look to their parents for information about how to interpret ambiguous situations; if a parent seems consistently anxious and fearful, the child will determine that a variety of scenarios are unsafe.

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Staying calm and being truthful will help lessen your child’s anxiety.

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Coping with coronavirus anxiety - Harvard Health

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Anxiety about the new coronavirus is understandable. But there are actions you can take –– or avoid –– to help you cope with anxious feelings and choices you can make to help yourself and o…

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As the SARS-CoV-2 virus continues its global spread and the number of diagnosed COVID-19 cases continues to increase, anxiety related to the outbreak is on the rise too.

As a psychologist, I am seeing this in my practice already. Although feeling anxiety in response to a threat is a normal human reaction, sustained high anxiety can undermine constructive responses to the crisis. People who already suffer from anxiety and related disorders are especially likely to have a hard time during the coronavirus crisis.

The following suggestions, based on psychological science, can help you deal with coronavirus anxiety.

1. Practice tolerating uncertainty

Intolerance of uncertainty, which has been increasing in the U.S., makes people vulnerable to anxiety. A study during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic showed that people who had a harder time accepting the uncertainty of the situation were more likely to experience elevated anxiety.

The solution is to learn to gradually face uncertainty in daily life by easing back on certainty-seeking behaviors.

Start small: Don't text your friend immediately the next time you need an answer to a question. Go on a hike without checking the weather beforehand. As you build your tolerance-of-uncertainty muscle, you can work to reduce the number of times a day you consult the internet for updates on the outbreak.

2. Tackle the anxiety paradox

Anxiety rises proportionally to how much one tries to get rid of it. Or as Carl Jung put it, " What you resist persists."

Struggling against anxiety can take many forms. People might try to distract themselves by drinking, eating or watching Netflix more than usual. They might repeatedly seek reassurance from friends, family or health experts. Or they might obsessively check news streams, hoping to calm their fears. Although these behaviors can help momentarily, they can make anxiety worse in the long run. Avoiding the experience of anxiety almost always backfires.

Instead, allow your anxious thoughts, feelings and physical sensations to wash over you, accepting anxiety as an integral part of human experience. When waves of coronavirus anxiety show up, notice and describe the experience to yourself or others without judgment. Resist the urge to escape or calm your fears by obsessively reading virus updates. Paradoxically, facing anxiety in the moment will lead to less anxiety over time.

3. Transcend existential anxiety

Health threats trigger the fear that underlies all fears: fear of death. When faced with reminders of one's own mortality, people might become consumed with health anxiety and hyperfocused on any signs of illness.

Try connecting to your life's purpose and sources of meaning, be it spirituality, relationships, or pursuit of a cause. Embark on something important that you've been putting off for years and take responsibility for how you live your life. Focusing on or discovering the "why" of life can go a long way in helping you deal with unavoidable anxiety.

4. Don't underestimate human resiliency

Many people fear how they will manage if the virus shows up in town, at work or at school. They worry how they would cope with a quarantine, a daycare closure or a lost paycheck. Human minds are good at predicting the worst.

But research shows that people tend to overestimate how badly they'll be affected by negative events and underestimate how well they'll cope with and adjust to difficult situations.

Be mindful that you are more resilient than you think. It can help attenuate your anxiety.

5. Don't get sucked into overestimating the threat

Coronavirus can be dangerous, with an estimated 1.4% to 2.3% death rate. So everyone should be serious about taking all the reasonable precautions against infection.

But people also should realize that humans tend to exaggerate the danger of unfamiliar threats compared to ones they already know, like seasonal flu or car accidents. Constant incendiary media coverage contributes to the sense of danger, which leads to heightened fear and further escalation of perceived danger.

To reduce anxiety, I recommend limiting your exposure to coronavirus news to no more than 30 minutes per day. And remember that we become more anxious when faced with situations that have no clear precedent. Anxiety, in turn, makes everything seem more dire.

6. Strengthen self-care

During these anxiety-provoking times, it's important to remember the tried-and-true anxiety prevention and reduction strategies. Get adequate sleep, exercise regularly, practice mindfulness, spend time in nature and employ relaxation techniques when stressed.

[ Insight, in your inbox each day. You can get it with The Conversation's email newsletter.]

Prioritizing these behaviors during the coronavirus crisis can go a long way toward increasing your psychological well being and bolstering your immune system.

7. Seek professional help if you need it

People who are vulnerable to anxiety and related disorders might find the coronavirus epidemic particularly overwhelming. Consequently, they might experience anxiety symptoms that interfere with work, maintaining close relationships, socializing or taking care of themselves and others.

If this applies to you, please get professional help from your doctor or a mental health professional. Cognitive behavioral therapy and certain medications can successfully treat anxiety problems.

Although you might feel helpless during this stressful time, following these strategies can help keep anxiety from becoming a problem in its own right and enable you to make it through the epidemic more effectively.

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7 science-based strategies to cope with coronavirus anxiety

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As the SARS-CoV-2 virus continues its global spread and the number of diagnosed COVID-19 cases continues to increase, anxiety related to the outbreak is on the rise too. As a psychologist, I am seeing this in my practice already.

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Humans generally love certainty and control (my husband might say that I love it more than the general population). When things feel out of our control it can increase feelings of fear (this is normal and helpful because it can help us respond). What matters is how we respond to our reactions.
Here are some common reactions you or people you know may be experiencing:

Worry, anxiety, fear of unknown in general

Financial concerns and fears

Fears around your health or the health of your loved ones

Feeling of being "on edge"- irritable, cranky, short with people

Feelings of being low- hopeless, sad, apathetic (just don't care)

Feelings of being detached or things feel surreal

Wrestling with conflicting values- do I visit my grandma

Existential stress- thoughts and feelings related to "what is the point of my life" etc

Ways to maintain your own mental health and promote the mental health of those around you:

Recognize that fear and uncertainty are normal and these feelings make sense (sometimes people can be anxious about being anxious- you can imagine this doesn't decrease anxiety)

Continue to remember that 'panic sells and calm saves'- consuming media that has been designed to be addictive and attention grabbing is not always helpful in times like these. Continuing to (try to) practice a calm, helpful attitude during a difficult time helps you and the people around you.

Here are a few great articles on how to take care of your mental health during the pandemic:

Limit your information gathering to reputable sources such as the WHO, Government of Canada, and HealthLinkBC. Notice we said "information gathering ". Ideally, you can create a practice of checking a few sites (above) some point during your day rather than constantly exposing yourself to news

Focus on taking small, concrete steps every day to prepare and educate yourself. For example- looking through your cabinets to take inventory of your home supplies and food will allow you to go out to get anything you're missing the next day. Calling an elderly relative will help you focus on helping others who might be struggling more than yourself

Recognize what is in your control (handwashing) and what is out of your control (quarantine measures) and try to focus on what you have control over

Set boundaries with friends or family by telling them what you can take on currently

Try practicing mindfulness and being in the present moment. Some helpful apps are calm.com and Insight Timer

Access virtual mental health care services such as Peak Resilience video counselling or visiting a general practitioner through the Babylon Health App

If you were struggling with mild to moderate mental health symptoms prior to the pandemic, your symptoms might become more pronounced and difficult to manage. As stated previously- mental health is JUST AS important during this time and cannot be ignored. Please reach out to your doctor, walk in clinic, Babylon Health App or Contact Us for support (more resources below)

Shop local & support small businesses- we can all do our part to support local business as much as possible

Look out for each other! Talk with your neighbours, friends and family and share your needs and what you have capacity for when supporting others

Children might experience more:

Stress reactions due to adults and media around them feeling stressed

They may be more clingy, anxious

They may experience more health anxiety

They may be withdrawn, irritable and some may experience younger behaviours like bedwetting even if they haven't wet the bed in a while

Supporting Kids:

Role modelling is biggest priority- staying calm as a parent/caregiver is very important

Be conscious about how much news you have on at home

Be aware of how you're talking to each other as parents/care givers- children often overhear or can infer your "tone" of anxiety/fear

Relay age appropriate information from reputable sources like the World Health Organization or HealthLinkBC.

PDF on how to support kids

How to talk to kids about COVID-19

Elderly People or Those with Other Chronic Health Conditions May Experience:

More anxiety, fear and isolation in general

Health Anxieties that are normally present may increase

Feeling down, depressed, hopeless

Existential angst such as thinking "what is the point of life" etc

Supporting Elderly People or People with Other Chronic Health Conditions:

Create a schedule of connecting through video or phone (including reminders of when you're going to call)- put these meetings into your schedule and if you can involve more family members- even better

Discuss mental health as openly as possible. Ask them how they've been feeling emotionally. Ask them how they're feeling about the pandemic

Validate and normalize their fears. Practice active listening.

Some may want to process the information through remembering other times they've faced struggle- this is a great time to listen and learn. Story telling is a huge part of connection and healing.

Capitalize on their strengths- do they have a great sense of humour? Maybe you can try to find anything humourous about what's happening (such as the mass buying of toilet paper)

In general, seniors and people who manage chronic health concerns have been through a lot! Generate conversation about how they've remained resilient throughout their lives and how they've gotten to this point. Ask them about their favourite times, favourite activities, people, etc.

Maybe now's a good time to take the Senior's Mental Health First Aid course here

Check out the Mental Health Commission of Canada's resource site for senior mental health

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COVID-19 & Your Mental Health: A Comprehensive Guide - Peak Resilience

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We have started compiling this rough draft of a comprehensive guide to support your mental health during the COVID-19 Pandemic. But we need your help!

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As news about coronavirus (COVID-19) dominate the headlines and public concern is on the rise, Mental Health Europe would like to remind that taking care of your mental health is as important as looking after your physical health. Good mental health and positive wellbeing can help you better cope with the COVID-19 threat and the uncertainty it's creating.
There are many ways to keep a sense of control in order to ease coronavirus anxiety:

Try to avoid excessive exposure to media coverage. Constant monitoring of news updates and social media feeds about COVID-19 can intensify feelings of worry and distress. Consider turning off automatic notifications and taking a break from the news. Setting boundaries to how much news you read, watch or listen will allow you to focus on your life and actions over which you have control, as opposed to wondering 'what if?'. WHO advises seeking factual information mainly to take practical steps to prepare your plans and protect yourself and loved ones.

Self-care in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak includes focusing on things you can control (like having good hygiene) instead of those you cannot (stopping the virus). Where possible, maintain your daily routine and normal activities: eating healthy meals, getting enough sleep and doing things that you enjoy. Consider creating a daily routine that prioritise your wellbeing and positive mental health. Activities, like taking a walk, meditating or exercising, can help you to relax and will have a positive impact on your thoughts and feelings. The Mental Health Foundation, for example, recommends that you see it as an opportunity that might have benefits like finally catching up on sleep.

It is particularly important for health care workers to take care of their basic needs and ensure good rest between shifts due to overtime hours or work overload in the time of crisis.

Keeping in touch with your friends and family may ease the stress caused by COVID-19. Talking through your concerns and feelings may help you find ways of dealing with challenges. Receiving support and care from others can bring a sense of comfort and stability. Assisting other people in their time of need and reaching out to someone who may be feeling alone or concerned can benefit both the person receiving support as well as the helper.

Many people may also wonder what to do if they are put under quarantine. Although the idea of self-isolation may seem daunting, keep in mind that this is only temporary and that there are still many ways to regularly connect with others digitally.

Try and focus on things that are positive in your life. WHO recommends to find opportunities to amplify the voices, positive stories and positive images of local people who have experienced the novel coronavirus and have recovered or who have supported a loved one through recovery and are willing to share their experience.

It is normal to feel overwhelmed, stressed, anxious or upset, among a wide range of other emotional reactions, in the current situation. Allow yourself time to notice and express what you're feeling. This could be by writing them down in a journal, talking to others, doing something creative, or practising meditation.

It is equally important to help children cope with stress and protect them from any coronavirus hysteria. Answer their questions and share facts about COVID-19 in a way that children can understand. Respond to your child's reactions in a supportive way, listen to their concerns and give them extra care, attention and support. Reassure your children that they are safe. Let them know it is OK if they feel upset. Share with them how you deal with your own stress so that they can learn how to cope with you.

Follow protection and prevention recommendations provided by qualified health professionals. If all of this does not help, consider reaching out for support by a professional counsellor or peers. Peer support is usually organised on a local or national basis so it is best to start your search with those in your local area so that you can actually talk with someone who knows what is available. Using terms such as 'peer support for mental ill health' or 'mental health service user organisations' and your locality into your internet search engine may well be helpful.

There is a wide range of measures to tackle coronavirus anxiety and protect your mental health and that of your loved ones. Keep in mind that this pandemic will pass and that there is always help available. Taking proactive measures can help manage your mental health during these times of uncertainty.

Additional resources on COVID-19 and mental health in European languages:
Do you have information on how to look after mental health during COVID-19 crisis in your language? Please share it with us: tetiana.sykes[at]mhe-sme.org

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Coronavirus: 8 ways to look after your mental health

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In light of the coronavirus pandemic, Mental Health Europe reminds that taking care of mental health is as important as looking after physical health.

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Network180, Kent County Community Mental Health Authority, serves adults, youth and families seeking help with mental health, substance use or intellectual & developmental disabilities. We offer a coordinated, enhanced and more seamless experience to better provide behavioral health care and integrated primary care to community members seeking help.

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Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services Grand Rapids, MI

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By Bob VandePol, MSW COVID 19. Deadly pandemic? Media-fueled hysteria? Both blind denial and conspiracy theories abound in every conversation, but all eyes are looking to leadership to define the course of action. Your response will reverberate through your organization...

News reports about the coronavirus outbreak together with speculation that it could become more widespread, is making some people anxious. Here are some tips to help you manage your anxiety, put news reports in perspective and maintain a positive outlook....

Getting better sleep consistently is as important for your health as good nutrition and exercise. Unfortunately, one in three Americans is chronically sleep deprived. Over time, the effects build until they cause disease such as cardiovascular disease, depression or diabetes...

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Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services is ranked the largest behavioral health hospital in the state of Michigan and the fourth largest behavioral health hospital in the country among private facilities by Modern Healthcare magazine in the March 2, 2020...

Maranda and Aren Lord, LMSW discuss how parents can identify when their teen is having a mental health issue, how to talk to them.

The Grand Rapids Business Journal (GRBJ) recently named Mark Eastburg, PhD, and Pine Rest as the winner in the health care category at its Newsmakers of the Year 2019 awards program. GRBJ editorial staff reviews the past year's stories and...

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Pine Rest Campus Clinic, Grand Rapids MI

Designed to meet the needs of individuals who are struggling with depression, anxiety, or mood regulation problems, this Adult Healthy Living Group is held weekly on Mondays at Pine Rest's Campus Clinic.

Pine Rest North Shore Clinic, Spring Lake MI

These groups support individuals who are struggling with addiction, 18 years or older, helping them with early core recovery skills, relapse prevention skills, building support networks, managing difficult emotions and behaviors, and other skills necessary to secure and maintain recovery.

Postma Center at Pine Rest, Grand Rapids MI

Explore aspects of legal and practical issues that arise as people age including estate planning essentials, caregiver collective, Medicaid planning and pitfalls, and current topics in elder law. This full-day conference is for social workers, nurses, care managers and other professional and family caregivers. 5.0 Social Work continuing education credits awarded. No charge to attend this event.

View All Events

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Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services | Behavioral Health & Addiction Treatment

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By Bob VandePol, MSW COVID 19. Deadly pandemic? Media-fueled hysteria? Both blind denial and conspiracy theories abound in every conversation, but all eyes are looking to leadership to define the course of action. Your response will reverberate through your organization... News reports about the coronavirus outbreak together with speculation that it could become more widespread, is making some people anxious.

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Forest View Hospital is committed to helping people get the care they need when they need it most. If you or someone you know needs immediate assistance, our trained staff is available around the clock to answer questions, offer no-cost assessments or help you find treatment options that meet your needs.

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behavioral facility kent county michigan

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Forest View Hospital | Grand Rapids, MI | ForestViewHospital.com

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Forest View Hospital is committed to helping people get the care they need when they need it most. If you or someone you know needs immediate assistance, our trained staff is available around the clock to answer questions, offer no-cost assessments or help you find treatment options that meet your needs.

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211 is a vital service that connects millions of people to help every year. To get expert, caring help, simply call 211 today or search for your local 211 below.

Not sure where to turn? We are here for you.

We help thousands of people every day. If you're looking for assistance, give us a call.

Can't Find What You Need?

You can always reach one of our trained professionals by phone.

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211 is a vital service that connects millions of people to help every year. To get expert, caring help, simply call 211 today or search for your local 211 below. Not sure where to turn? We are here for you. We help thousands of people every day.

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Purchase Food Boxes for Families, or Make a One-Time Donation

As we limit personal contact by closing our donation area and distributing pre-packaged boxes of food to our clients, we are asking our community to purchase a food box for $13.75 through our website. Each box will provide a family of four with five meals, and includes items such as canned and boxed foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, and dairy items.

Or, you can make a one-time donation in any amount to fund our operations as we help families especially hit hard during the pandemic.
DONATE: https://app.autobooks.co/pay/rockford-community-service-center
(PLEASE BE SURE TO ADD "BOXED FOOD" OR "AS NEEDED" IN THE DESCRIPTION FIELD.)

Federal Commodities on Thurs., March 26

The next allotment of Federal Commodities is scheduled for Thursday, March 26, 2020 from 9 a.m to 3 p.m. at Rockford Reformed Church, located at 4890 Eleven Mile Road in Rockford. (This quarter's commodities are not at North Kent Connect due to construction). This is a drive-thru pickup available to Kent County residents; please have your Michigan drivers license or state ID ready.

Farm Stand Featured on WZZM

Read more: North Kent Connect Farm Stand Featured on Local TV

How You Can Help

What have you done today? Do something amazing by helping change the lives of your neighbors. There are lots of ways you can make a difference:

Host a food or clothing drive.

Donate your gently used clothing, household goods, and more.

Support NKC financially.

Do something awesome today. Join with us to serve our community in northern Kent County.

Apply for MI Bridges with us

We are happy to announce that we are now able to assist our clients with applying for MI Bridges. Meet with our MI Bridges Navigator to apply today.

Using MI Bridges You Can:

Apply for benefits using a simplified and easy to understand application

Explore resources and save them to your MI Bridges profile

Easily view detailed benefit information or letters sent from MDHHS

View verifications requested by MDHHS and upload documents to your case

Report changes about your case or renew your benefits

Use MI Bridges in English, Spanish, or Arabic from your phone or computer

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Welcome to North Kent Connect - North Kent Connect

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Purchase Food Boxes for Families, or Make a One-Time Donation As we limit personal contact by closing our donation area and distributing pre-packaged boxes of food to our clients, we are asking our community to purchase a food box for $13.75 through our website. Each box will provide a family of four with five meals, ...

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United Way

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You can use this map to locate a fixed food pantry (red) or upcoming mobile food pantry distribution (blue) near you. You can also find a written schedule of mobile food pantry distributions and other resources for people living in Michigan below.

If you represent an agency and would like to update your listing, please contact our agency relations team.

Mapping tool provided by End Hunger in America. Icons courtesy of Maps Icons Collection.

Mobile Calendar

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You can use this map to locate a fixed food pantry (red) or upcoming mobile food pantry distribution (blue) near you. You can also find a written schedule of mobile food pantry distributions and other resources for people living in Michigan below. If you represent an agency and would like to update your listing, please...

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Clinic Information

Public Health Clinic Services

The Health Department operates four public health clinics throughout the county that offer immunizations and the Women, Infants, and Children program (WIC). These programs prevent disease and ensure adequate nutrition for moms and babies from pregnancy to childhood. KCHD also operates a tuberculosis (TB) and Personal Health Services (PHS) clinic. Through testing and direct observed therapy, the TB clinic aggressively treats cases of TB to eradicate the disease from Kent County. PHS offers testing, counseling, and in some cases, treatment, of HIV, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, and Chlamydia. As part of its work, the Communicable Disease and Epidemiology units of KCHD work with local health care providers to track disease, investigate outbreaks, and report County-wide case numbers for theses diseases and approximately 75 other illnesses ranging from influenza to salmonella. KCHD has a state-of-the-art laboratory to test virus cultures, water samples, and more.

All Kent County Public Health Clinics are staffed by Public Health Nurses who can answer your health questions, and help you find other services in the community for you and your family.

Services

Immunizations - Childhood, adolescent and adult. USCIS I-693 forms for refugee adjustment of status can be obtained at our Fuller & South Clinics

International Travel - Located at Fuller Clinic only.

TB Testing - Not administered on Thursdays.

WIC - Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.

Clinic Hours

Mon, Tues, Wed & Fri

8:00am - 11:30am & 12:45pm - 4:45pm

1st, 3rd & 5th Thursday of Month

12:45pm - 4:45pm

2nd & 4th Thursday of Month

10:00am - 12:30pm & 1:45pm - 6:45pm

Locations

Fuller Clinic (Main)

700 Fuller NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Go east on I-196 towards Lansing and take the Fuller Ave. Exit (exit 79). Turn Left onto Fuller Ave NE. Turn right into the Kent Community Hospital Complex. Turn right upon entry. Follow the curve and the Health Department will be the second building on the right.

South Clinic

4700 Kalamazoo Ave SE
Kentwood, MI 49508

The clinic is located on Kalamazoo Avenue SE, about 4/10 of a mile south of 44th Street SE, on the east side of the road, in the former Kentwood Library.

Alternate Route: Go South on US 131 and exit at 44th Street. Turn left (East) and continue on 44th to Kalamazoo Avenue. Drive south to the light at Pickett, turn left into the clinic.

North County Clinic

4388 14 Mile Rd NE
Rockford, MI 49341

From North US 131 expressway take exit 101 the M-57 / 14 Mile exit. Turn East (right). Pass White Creek. Clinic is on the South (right) side of the street.

Alternate route: From Northland Drive, turn West onto 14 Mile / M-57. The clinic is located on the South (left) side of the road between Cedar Rock Dr and White Creek.

Sheldon Clinic Sheldon Complex

121 Franklin SE, Ste. 130
Grand Rapids, MI 49507

Take 131 to the Franklin Street exit and head east, toward Division Avenue. The Sheldon Clinic is on the left-hand side of the road, between Sheldon and Jefferson.

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Clinic Information | Kent County, Michigan

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The mission of Kent County government is to be an effective and efficient steward in delivering quality services for our diverse community. Our priority is to provide mandated services, which may be enhanced and supplemented by additional services to improve the quality of life for all our citizens within the constraints of sound fiscal policy.

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bridge overview

Along with offering a variety of supportive programs, The Bridge helps connect youth to their peers, learn new skills, and find resources to reconnect with their families, schools and community. The program provides crisis shelter, counseling, case management, group support, youth activities and connections to other needed services. It also assists youth with meeting their basic needs, setting goals, building new life skills, and establishing connections with peers and mentors who can support them.

bridge eligibility requirements

General eligibility requirements include youth of any gender between the ages of 10-17, and those who stay or reside within Kent, Ottawa, Montcalm, and Ionia Counties. Youth or their families are encouraged to call or walk-in at any time, and services are completely free.

bridge donate

Interested in volunteering or giving to The Bridge? We welcome individual and group volunteers and are grateful for annual gifts and . Learn more ways to get involved with Arbor Circle's youth services . You can also make an impact by donating items from our wish list.

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Along with offering a variety of supportive programs, The Bridge helps connect youth to their peers, learn new skills, and find resources to reconnect with their families, schools and community. The program provides crisis shelter, counseling, case management, group support, youth activities and connections to other needed services.

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Aunt Bertha

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Search COVID-19/Coronavirus assistance programs in your ZIP code. Programs helping with food, paying bills, and more.

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We believe in media that inspires and entertains families of all kinds. In technology that protects privacy and supports communities. In learning tools that prepare students and teachers for success in a connected world. Discover how we're working to make the digital world better for kids and families.

Discover our media ratings and reviews at Common Sense Media

Find our curriculum and classroom resources at Common Sense Education

See our most recent researchon the impact of media on kids

Explore our advocacy efforts around digital equity and tech accountability

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Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization working to make the digital world healthier, safer, accessible, and engaging for kids and families.

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Protect Young Eyes explains digital trends, social media, & parental controls. We teach internet safety via webinars, our app, & live talks.

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Coronavirus Response Fund

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Help Our Nonprofit Neighbors Meet Urgent Community Needs Coronavirus Response Fund

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. I have seen and witnessed the power of change in my own life as well as others' lives through the practice of mindfulness and mindful self-compassion. I do believe that by practicing mindfulness and self-compassion we will be more at peace with ourselves and in turn, this will make the world a better place. Mindfulness and Mindful Self Compassion help us learn how to take care of our minds and our hearts.

We are living in unprecedented times. Fear is real and raw. This is a time to heal, take care of yourselves and your families. We are offering a number of free meditations, as well as online classes to learn mindfulness and mindful self compassion. Please go to the page titled Meditations and Resources for Difficult Times . to learn more.

​With Deep Gratitude
Cheryl

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I have seen and witnessed the power of change in my own life as well as others' lives through the practice of mindfulness and mindful self-compassion. I do believe that by practicing mindfulness and self-compassion we will be more at peace with ourselves and in turn, this will make the world a better place.

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Covid-19 Resource Center

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The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough, sore throat and shortness of breath. If you have been exposed to someone with confirmed COVID-19 and are experiencing symptoms, you might have COVID-19.

Those with mild symptoms, no breathing difficulties and stable vital signs should stay home and self-quarantine, watching for worsening symptoms. If you are concerned about your symptoms, call your doctor or call the Spectrum Health COVID-19 hotline for a free phone screening at 833.559.0659. For patients who need testing, we offer drive-through testing by appointment only.

Currently, most testing is being reserved for patients who are severely ill, our hospitalized patients and our most vulnerable populations in accordance with Michigan Department of Health and Human Resources.

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding that we are unable to test everyone who may potentially have COVID-19 at this time.

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The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough, sore throat and shortness of breath. If you have been exposed to someone with confirmed COVID-19 and are experiencing symptoms, you might have COVID-19.

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Mercy Health is a non-profit health care system serving Grand Rapids, Muskegon, the Lakeshore and the surrounding communities.