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Peer Support Online!!

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National Child Traumatic Stress Network 

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National Child Traumatic Stress Network 

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IDMH COVID19 Community Stress Management Tip Sheet 2020 Final

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Supporting Kids During the Coronavirus Crisis _ Child Mind Institute

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Cómo apoyar a los niños durante la crisis del coronavirus

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COVID-19: Talking with your kids and helping them cope

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You may feel stressed and anxious about COVID-19 - and so may your kids. Try these strategies to talk with them and help them cope. By Mayo Clinic Staff During any rapidly changing situation, loss of daily routine, isolation and uncertainty can lead to anxiety, fear, depression and loneliness.

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This page is regularly updated with new resources and information.

What is Coronavirus (COVID-19)?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have described the coronavirus, or COVID-19, as an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that has now been detected in more than 100 locations internationally, including in the United States. The virus has been named "SARS-CoV-2" and the disease it causes has been named "coronavirus disease 2019" (abbreviated "COVID-19"). You can read more about COVID-19 on the CDC's " Situation Summary " page.

Infectious disease outbreaks such as COVID-19, as well as other public health events, can cause emotional distress and anxiety. Feeling anxious, confused, overwhelmed or powerless is common during an infectious disease outbreak, especially in the face of a virus with which the general public may be unfamiliar. These feelings of distress and anxiety can occur even if you are not at high risk of getting sick.

Coping Tips

People that are feeling emotional distress related to COVID-19 can take actions to help support themselves and others.

Set a limit on media consumption, including social media, local or national news.

Stay active. Make sure to get enough sleep and rest. Stay hydrated and avoid excessive amounts of caffeine or alcohol. Eat healthy foods when possible.

Connect with loved ones and others who may be experiencing stress about the outbreak. Talk about your feelings and enjoy conversation unrelated to the outbreak.

Get accurate health information from reputable sources. For health information about COVID-19, please contact the Centers for Disease Control at cdc.gov, your local healthcare provider, or your local 211 and 311 services, if available.

The national Disaster Distress Helplineis available to anyone experiencing emotional distress related to COVID-19. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to speak to a caring counselor.

If you're experiencing emotional distress related to COVID-19, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or your local crisis line.

For coping tools and resources, visit the Lifeline website at suicidepreventionlifeline.org or Vibrant Emotional Health's Safe Space at vibrant.org/safespace.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline has highly trained advocates available 24/7 to ensure services and continue to support survivors.

Helpful Resources

Reliable sources of information about COVID-19:

Other Helpful Resources to Support Your Mental and Emotional Wellbeing:

CDC's "Manage Anxiety and Stress"page provides what stress can look like and tips to manage that stress.

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network has a guide for parents and caregivers to help families cope with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Mental Health America has compiled a range of resources and information on their "Mental Health and COVID-19" page.

ThriveNYC's "Mental Health Support New Yorkers Can Access While Staying Home" page lists free mental health services for New Yorkers, regardless of insurance coverage or immigration status.

SAMHSA's "Coping With Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks" page outlines the signs of stress and steps you can take to alleviate stress.

SAMHSA's "Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health" page provides tips for social distancing, quarantine and isolation during an infectious disease outbreak.

SAMHSA's "Talking With Children: Tips for Caregivers, Parents, and Teachers During Infectious Disease Outbreaks" page provides parents, caregivers, and teachers with strategies for helping children manage their stress during an infectious disease outbreak.

Vibrant Emotional Health's Safe Space provides interactive coping tools to help users when they need it.

Through stories of hope and recovery, Strength After highlights the resilience of individuals and communities while providing a resource for other survivors and responders that may be trying to cope and move forward themselves.

If you feel you or someone you know may need emotional support, please visit the Lifeline's website at suicidepreventionlifeline.org for helpful resources or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Lifeline is free, confidential, and available to everyone in the U.S. You do not have to be suicidal to call the Lifeline.

The NYS Office of Mental Health's "Managing Anxiety in an Anxiety Provoking Situation" resource page provides tips for all on how to manage anxiety surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak.

If you're worried that someone in your life may be suicidal, you can use the Lifeline's 5 steps to help someone that may be in suicidal crisis.

Action Alliance's COVID-19 Messaging Guidance page provides guidance for messengers speaking about mental health and COVID-19, as well as resources for specific groups.

The Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) has compiled a selection of web pages and information sheets on mental health and coping with the effects of COVID-19.

The Dulwich Centre has compiled stories to support the community amid the COVID-19 crisis, from mental health service users, survivors and former patients.

The Action Alliance is mobilizing diverse sectors to collectively lead a coordinated mental health and suicide prevention response effort during and in the aftermath of COVID-19. Learn more here.

About Lifeline Crisis Centers

The accessible and free mental health crisis services that Lifeline crisis centers offer are especially vital during times of social distancing, and can be considered an essential service. Lifeline crisis centers may be used to overcome barriers of access to services caused by distance or unavailability of in-person mental health support, and can prevent unnecessary exposure during a pandemic. When individuals may be experiencing heightened anxiety, depression, and stress caused by infectious disease outbreaks and accompanying social-isolation measures, having access to trained and caring counselors may be critical for a community's mental wellbeing.

To find your local crisis center and learn how you can support it, visit the Our Crisis Centers page.

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Emotional Wellbeing During the COVID-19 Outbreak

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This page is regularly updated with new resources and information. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have described the coronavirus, or COVID-19, as an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that has now been detected in more than 100 locations internationally, including in the United States.

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Managing Stress Associated with the COVID-19 Virus Outbreak

Available en Español

Impact of the COVID-19 Outbreak on Individuals and Communities

The COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak has the potential to increase stress and anxiety, both because of the fear of catching the virus and also because of uncertainty about how the outbreak will affect us socially and economically. There are practical steps you can take to improve your wellbeing.

Coping with the Stress of COVID-19

Dealing with stress reactions caused by the COVID-19 virus outbreak can improve your health, quality of life, and wellbeing. The following evidence-informed principles have been shown to be related to better outcomes in many adverse situations (2). There are key actions within each element that might be especially helpful for those affected by the COVID-19 outbreak (1, 3). It's not necessary to have all elements in place but implementing some of the following suggestions may help you deal with the stress caused by the COVID-19 virus.

Increase Sense of Safety

Reduce anxiety with healthy actions that make you feel safer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other experts suggest the following good hygiene habits to limit the risk of infection:

Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

Properly dispose of used tissues.

Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, arm, or elbow if you don't have a tissue.

Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing.

Stay at home if you are sick.

Avoid contact with those who are sick.

Clean and disinfect objects or surfaces that may have come into contact with germs.

Make plans for what will happen if someone in the home becomes ill or if quarantine or shelter-in-place measures are ordered.

Read more about prevention on the CDC website.

Stay Connected

Seek support from family, friends, mentors, clergy, and those who are in similar circumstances.

Be flexible and creative in accessing support via phone, email, text messaging, and video calls.

Talk to your supervisor about the possibility of working from home temporarily.

Cultivate Ways to be More Calm

Realize that it is understandable to feel anxious and worried about what may happen, especially when many aspects of life are being affected.

If you find that you are getting more stressed by watching the news, reduce your exposure, particularly prior to sleep.

While circumstances may be stressful and beyond your control, you can try to offset them with positive calming activities. Practice slow, steady breathing and muscle relaxation, as well as any other actions that are calming for you (yoga, exercise, music, keeping the mind occupied).

Preparing for a range of possible scenarios and having adequate supplies should sheltering at home be necessary can help you feel more calm. For instance, you can put together a kit with supplies to last you and your family 3 - 5 days. Include supplies such as:

Water and food, vitamins, fluids with electrolytes, and food preparation items such as a manual can opener.

Prescribed medical supplies or equipment, such as glucose or blood pressure monitoring equipment; thermometer; medicines for fever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen; anti-diarrheal medication.

Hygiene supplies such as soap and water, alcohol-based hand wash, soap, tissues, toilet paper, and disposable diapers if necessary.

General supplies such as a flashlight and batteries, portable radio, and garbage bags.

Read more about pandemic preparedness on the CDC website.

Improve Your Sense of Control and Ability to Endure

Accept circumstances that cannot be changed and focus on what you can alter.

Modify your definition of a "good day" to meet the current reality of the situation.

Problem-solve and set achievable goals within the new circumstances in your life.

Evaluate the absolute risk of contracting the virus and recognize the benefits of accepting a certain level of risk in order to maintain as much of your normal routine as possible.

Those who have been faced with life-threatening situations recommended the following strategies:

Quickly recognize, acknowledge, and accept the reality of the situation.

Make a plan for dealing with feelings of being overwhelmed or overly distressed. Preparation can make you feel more in control if these feelings arise and help you move through them quickly.

Combat unhelpful emotions by using distraction or staying busy-both mentally and physically.

Avoid impulsive behavior.

Get organized.

Increase positive coping behaviors that have worked in the past.

Shift negative self-statements to statements that allow you to function with less distress. Try changing "this is a terrible time" to "this is a terrible time, but I can get through this."

Rather than getting discouraged, focus on what you can accomplish or control.

Seek out mentoring or information to improve your ability to make decisions and take actions when necessary.

Try to engage in the situation as a challenge to be met, which can increase your ability to act both creatively and decisively (1).

Remain Hopeful

Consider the stressful situation in a broader context and keep a long-term perspective.

Look for opportunities to practice being more patient or kind with yourself, or to see the situation as an opportunity to learn or build strengths.

Celebrate successes, find things to be grateful about, and take satisfaction in completing tasks, even small ones.

Give yourself small breaks from the stress of the situation by doing something you enjoy.

Draw upon your spirituality, those who inspire you, or your personal beliefs and values.

Printable Handout

Resources

References

1. Gonzales, G. (2003). Deep survival. Who lives, who dies, and why. True stories of miraculous endurance and sudden death. W.W. Norton & Company. New York.

2. Hobfoll, S. E., Watson, P. J., Bell, C. C., Bryant, R. A., Brymer, M. J., Friedman, M. J., et al. (2007). Five essential elements of immediate and mid-term mass trauma intervention: Empirical evidence. Psychiatry, 70(4), 283-315.

3. Reissman, D. B., Watson, P. J., Klomp, R. W., Tanielian, T. L., & Prior, S. D. (2006). Pandemic influenza preparedness: adaptive responses to an evolving challenge. Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, 3(2).

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managing stress associated with the covid-19 virus

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Available en Español The COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak has the potential to increase stress and anxiety, both because of the fear of catching the virus and also because of uncertainty about how the outbreak will affect us socially and economically. There are practical steps you can take to improve your wellbeing.

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Manejando el estrés asociado con el brote del virus COVID-19

Disponible en Inglés

El impacto del brote de COVID-19 en individuos y comunidades

El brote de COVID-19 (coronavirus) tiene el potencial de aumentar el estrés y la ansiedad, tanto por el miedo a contraer el virus como por la incertidumbre sobre cómo el brote nos afectará social y económicamente. Hay pasos prácticos que puedeseguir para mejorar su bienestar.

Afrontando el estrés de COVID-19

Hacer frente a las reacciones de estrés causadas por el brote del virus COVID-19 puede mejorar su salud, calidad de vida y bienestar. Se ha demostrado que los siguientes principios fundados en evidencia están relacionados con mejores resultados en muchas situaciones adversas (2). Hay acciones clave dentro de cada elemento que podrían ser especialmente útiles para aquellos afectados por el brote de COVID-19 (1, 3). No es necesario tener todos los elementos en su lugar, pero implementar algunas de las siguientes sugerencias puede ayudarlo a hacer frente al estrés causado por el virus COVID-19.

Aumente el sentido de seguridad

Reduzca la ansiedad con acciones saludables que lo hagan sentir más seguro. Los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC por sus siglas en inglés) y otros expertos sugieren los siguientes buenos hábitos de higiene para limitar el riesgo de infección:

Lávese las manos frecuentemente con agua y jabón durante al menos 20 segundos o use un desinfectante para manos a base de alcohol.

Cúbrase la boca y la nariz con un pañuelo cuando tosa o estornude.

Deseche adecuadamente los pañuelos usados.

Tosa o estornude en la parte superior de su manga, brazo o codo si no tiene un pañuelo.

Lávese las manos después de toser o estornudar.

Quédese en casa si está enfermo.

Evite el contacto con aquellos que están enfermos.

Limpie y desinfecte objetos o superficies que pueden haber estado en contacto con gérmenes.

Haga planes para lo que sucederá si alguien en el hogar se enferma o si se ordenan medidas de cuarentena o refugio en el lugar.

Lea más sobre la prevención. (Disponible en inglés)

Mantengase conectado

Busque el apoyo de familiares, amigos, mentores, la iglesia y aquellos que se encuentran en circunstancias similares.

Sea flexible y creativo al acceder apoyo por teléfono, correo electrónico, mensajes de texto y videollamadas.

Hable con su supervisor sobre la posibilidad de trabajar desde casa temporalmente.

Cultive maneras para estar más tranquilo

Tenga en cuenta que es comprensible sentirse ansioso y preocupado por lo que puede suceder, especialmente cuando muchos aspectos de la vida se ven afectados.

Si descubre que está más estresado al ver las noticias, reduzca su exposición, particularmente antes de dormir.

Mientras las circunstancias pueden ser estresantes y estar más allá de su control, puede intentar compensarlas con actividades calmantes positivas. Practique la respiración lenta y constante y la relajación muscular, así como cualquier otra acción que le tranquilice (yoga, ejercicio, música, mantener la mente ocupada).

Prepararse para una variedad de escenarios posibles y tener los suministros adecuados en caso de que sea necesario refugiarse en casa puede ayudarle a sentirse más tranquilo. Por ejemplo, puede armar un kit con suministros para que le dure a usted y a su familia de 3 a 5 días. Incluya suministros como:

Agua y alimentos, vitaminas, líquidos con electrolitos y artículos de preparación de alimentos, como un abrelatas manual.

Suministros médicos recetados o equipos médicos, tales como equipos de monitoreo de glucosa o presión arterial; termómetro; medicamentos para la fiebre, como acetaminofeno o ibuprofeno; medicación antidiarreica.

Suministros de higiene como agua y jabón, lavado de manos a base de alcohol, jabón, pañuelos de papel, papel higiénico y pañales desechables si es necesario.

Suministros generales como una linterna y baterías, radio portátil y bolsas de basura.

Lea más sobre la preparación para una pandemia. (Disponible en inglés)

Mejore su sentido de control y habilidad de resistencia

Acepte circunstancias que no se pueden cambiar y concéntrese en lo que puede alterar.

Modifique su definición de un "buen día" para cumplir con la realidad actual de la situación.

Resuelva problemas y establezca metas alcanzables dentro de las nuevas circunstancias de su vida.

Evalúe el riesgo absoluto de contraer el virus y reconozca los beneficios de aceptar cierto nivel de riesgo para mantener la mayor cantidad posible de su rutina normal.

Aquellos que se han enfrentado a situaciones que amenazan la vida recomendaron las siguientes estrategias:

Reconozca y acepte rápidamente la realidad de la situación.

Haga un plan para afrontar con los sentimientos de estar abrumado o demasiado angustiado. La preparación puede hacerle sentir más en control si surgen estos sentimientos y ayudarle a superarlos rápidamente.

Combata las emociones poco útiles utilizando la distracción o manteniéndose ocupado, tanto mental como físicamente.

Evita el comportamiento impulsivo.

organícese.

Aumente los comportamientos positivos de afrontamiento que han funcionado en el pasado.

Cambie las autodeclaraciones negativas a declaraciones que le permitan funcionar con menos angustia. Intente cambiar "este es un momento terrible" a "este es un momento terrible, pero puedo superarlo".

En lugar de desanimarse, concéntrese en lo que puede lograr o controlar.

Busque tutoría o información para mejorar su capacidad de tomar decisiones y tomar medidas cuando sea necesario.

Intente involucrarse en la situación como un desafío a cumplir, lo cual puede aumentar su capacidad de actuar de manera creativa y decisiva (1).

Permanezca con esperanza

Considere la situación estresante en un contexto más amplio y mantenga una perspectiva de largo plazo.

Busque oportunidades para practicar ser más paciente o amable con usted mismo, o ver la situación como una oportunidad para aprender o desarrollar fortalezas.

Celebre los éxitos, encuentre cosas por las cuales estar agradecido y disfrute al completar las tareas, incluso tareas pequeñas.

Dese pequeños descansos del estrés de la situación haciendo algo que disfrute.

Recurra a su espiritualidad, a quienes le inspiran o a sus creencias y valores personales.

Recursos

Referencias

1. Gonzales, G. (2003). Deep survival. Who lives, who dies, and why. True stories of miraculous endurance and sudden death. W.W. Norton & Company. New York.

2. Hobfoll, S. E., Watson, P. J., Bell, C. C., Bryant, R. A., Brymer, M. J., Friedman, M. J., et al. (2007). Five essential elements of immediate and mid-term mass trauma intervention: Empirical evidence. Psychiatry, 70(4), 283-315.

3. Reissman, D. B., Watson, P. J., Klomp, R. W., Tanielian, T. L., & Prior, S. D. (2006). Pandemic influenza preparedness: adaptive responses to an evolving challenge. Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, 3(2).

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manejando el estrés asociado con el virus covid-19

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Disponible en Inglés El brote de COVID-19 (coronavirus) tiene el potencial de aumentar el estrés y la ansiedad, tanto por el miedo a contraer el virus como por la incertidumbre sobre cómo el brote nos afectará social y económicamente. Hay pasos prácticos que puedeseguir para mejorar su bienestar.

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Wherever you are in the world, you are likely feeling the direct or ripple effects of the novel coronavirus. From border, school,

Finding Peace Amidst a Global ScareIt is understandable that these unprecedented times are causing a rise in fear, worry, and anxiety. As

No matter where you find yourself on the globe at this moment, you've likely been inundated with news related to the novel

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Dealing with COVID 19: Mindfulness Exercises to Follow

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Wherever you are in the world, you are likely feeling the direct or ripple effects of the novel coronavirus. From border, school, Finding Peace Amidst a Global ScareIt is understandable that these unprecedented times are causing a rise in fear, worry, and anxiety.

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This story is part of a group of stories called

Finding the best ways to do good.

If you're feeling extra anxiety these days due to the Covid-19 coronavirus, you're not alone. This pandemic has us all facing more stress and uncertainty than usual. It also has many of us asking: How do we keep from spiraling into full-blown panic?

As we try to navigate our anxiety about the coronavirus, there's one quote I've been trying to keep at the forefront of my mind. It's by the Vietnamese Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh: "When the crowded Vietnamese refugee boats met with storms or pirates, if everyone panicked all would be lost. But if even one person on the boat remained calm and centered, it was enough. It showed the way for everyone to survive."

Tara Brach, an American psychologist and a widely respected teacher of Buddhist meditation, sent out this quote in a recent email newsletter. It prompted me to call her up and ask for some guidance about using meditation to navigate this pandemic.

The first thing to know is that the word "meditation" actually refers to many different practices. In the West, the most well-known set of practices is "mindfulness meditation." That means paying attention, purposefully and non-judgmentally, to your experience in the present moment. It can involve a formal practice - like when you sit down, close your eyes, and focus on feeling your breath go in and out. But you can also practice mindfulness while you read the news, say, or shop for groceries.

I talked to Brach about how we can use mindfulness and other meditative techniques to find balance during the coronavirus crisis, and about why this is not a selfish escape from reality: Many neuroscience studies have shown that meditating can help us regulate our own emotions so we can better pay attention to other people and act more altruistically. A transcript of our conversation, edited for length and clarity, follows.

Sigal Samuel

I'm guessing that you, like the rest of us, have been feeling stressed about coronavirus. What have you personally been doing to stay calm and centered?

Tara Brach

Yes, like everyone else, I feel the hugeness of this and I feel fear for my dear ones and for the most vulnerable people in our world. What I've been doing is a mix: walking in nature and taking in beauty; talking to people and feeling our shared vulnerability and connectedness; and doing a lot of meditating. It gives me a pathway back to steadiness that's just immeasurably helpful.

Sigal Samuel

For people who don't have experience meditating but who are looking for a way to avoid sinking into the panic vortex, can you suggest one or two simple meditation practices that would be useful for our current situation?

Tara Brach

Sure. The first step when we get really gripped in fear is to calm our sympathetic nervous system. A simple way to do this is with long, deep breaths. Take at least three full breaths, counting to five with the inhale, and counting to five with the exhale. And with the exhale, intentionally release tension. That begins to calm down the nervous system.

Our breath is often the most helpful home base for coming out of our circling worry thoughts and back into our senses. But we can also come back to the sounds we're hearing in the moment, or the sensation of our hands or feet tingling, or the sight of a tree or table. Coming back to the senses in our body helps us come back to the present moment.[SS: You can listen to a five-minute guided mindfulness meditation here.]

Sigal Samuel

In your new book Radical Compassion, you also offer a short meditation practice called RAIN, which I've found helpful. Can you spell out what the acronym means?

Tara Brach

Yes, I use the acronym because It's an easy-to-remember handle if you're getting caught in fear. It stands for recognize, allow, investigate, nurture. [SS: You can listen to a guided RAIN meditation here.]

First, just recognize, "Okay, I'm feeling fear." Mentally whisper it, and that helps right away.

Then allow it. Just let it be there, don't try to run away or fix it or control it or judge it.

Then investigate it. Begin to come into the body and just feel where the fear is in the body. Find out how it feels and breathe with it, with a gentle quality of attention.

And then nurture. You might just put your hand on your heart and offer a kind or soothing message to yourself. You can say to the fear, "Thank you for trying to protect me; it's okay." I sometimes will say to myself, "It's okay, sweetheart."

Sigal Samuel

I'm curious about the "recognize" part, this idea that when you can name a fear, it loses some of its power over you. What is it about that mental notation that changes the activity in the brain?

Tara Brach

When we're in fight-flight-freeze mode, our limbic system has basically hijacked us, and we lose contact with our prefrontal cortex, the most recently evolved part of our brain, which has to do with executive functioning and making good decisions. When we name what's going on, we start to activate the prefrontal cortex. Mindfulness reconnects us with that.

"The single most important thing that can happen right now in this pandemic is that we feel our collectivity - that we're here to help each other move through this"

Sigal Samuel

Outside of a formal meditation practice, how can we use mindfulness in our daily activities while we're navigating this pandemic? For example, should we be mindful of our news intake - how, and how often, we're taking in updates about the virus?

Tara Brach

I think it's good for all of us to take in the amount of news we need to take in to be informed, but also to know how to turn away from our screens. Listening to beautiful music or going outside for a walk will really nourish us. What the news will do is keep on agitating us. For some people what really works is [to limit news intake to] one time a day, and that can really make a difference.

Sigal Samuel

What about practicing gratitude? I've generally found that my brain can't be anxious when it's busy being grateful.

Tara Brach

Yes. Human beings have a negativity bias. We get very fixated on threats and often overlook goodness and beauty. So it needs to be an intentional practice to celebrate goodness. By that I mean that we actually pause and savor seeing the gleam in our child's eye or watching the new blossoms come out.

Many people get gratitude buddies and, at the end of the day, they'll send a note to their buddy naming three things they're grateful for. That can really lift people up and change the mood.

Sigal Samuel

I think some people in the West see practicing meditation as this very individualistic or even selfish thing, because it's often presented to us as divorced from a broader ethical framework. But in Eastern traditions, meditation has always been part of this broader framework of moral responsibility toward the other. So what would it look like to make sure we don't divorce it from that in the context of coronavirus?

Tara Brach

In China, the word for mindfulness is "present heart." If we keep emphasizing the heart side of things, if we keep offering care to ourselves and others, that's going to make us much more tender and we'll live naturally from a more ethical place. The true impact of meditation is that it actually dissolves our excessive sense of self. It frees up our sense of connection with each other.

But if we think mindfulness is just something I do so that I can feel better in the midst of fear, then it's going to have a much more self-centered feel.

So I think emphasizing the heart practices is critical. One of the heart practices is called lovingkindness. That's where we take time to appreciate the goodness in other people. We might remind ourselves of the health workers on the front lines who are risking their lives to help people who are suffering. Or we might think of someone we know and remind ourselves of their humor, their intelligence, their care. And then we offer them our best wishes.

Sigal Samuel

Someone reading this might think, "Oh, so you're just mentally sending someone a wish like 'May you be free from suffering' - that's not actually doing anything to help them." But I'm guessing the next step is that you also want to convey that to them out loud, right?

Tara Brach

Absolutely. When I wrote Radical Compassion, what I meant by those words is a mature compassion that has three elements to it. First, you're feeling the caring viscerally in your body. It's embodied, it's not just an abstract idea. Second, the care is active and engaged - it actually leads to reaching out. The third part is that it's all-inclusive: I'm not just caring about my sister but also about everybody in every country.

It might be that in the meditation we're simply offering someone a prayer, but after that we're much more inclined to reach out and make that phone call or go get someone groceries or medicine.

The single most important thing that can happen right now in this pandemic is that we feel our collectivity - that we're really here to help each other move through this. And the truth is each one of us can help. We have a real gift to offer each other just by who we are and how we come forward. If we can find an inner refuge of calm, our calm is contagious.

Sigal Samuel

A lot of us are experiencing fear around our mortality right now, and in the West, that's something we don't talk about much. Do you think we should respond to the pandemic by leaning into that - uncovering the fear and bringing it up from the subliminal to the conscious level? Or is that a terrible idea?

Tara Brach

I think it's not going to be a choice to bring it up. We will all be faced with the fear of mortality and the grief of loss. We can't use our normal mechanisms to avoid it anymore.

When things fall apart, it's a really horrible time in the sense that there's so much suffering, but it's also an opportunity for us to wake up our hearts in an unprecedented way. The ultimate gift of meditation is that it helps us come home to a space of presence that is large enough for whatever we encounter. And it's from that space that we can actually live from who we most want to be.
Sign up for the Future Perfect newsletter Future Perfect is funded in part by individual contributions, grants, and sponsorships. Learn more . and we'll send you a roundup of ideas and solutions for tackling the world's biggest challenges - and how to get better at doing good.
So really the question is, how will you be with the fear and the grief? What is being called forth in you in these times? Who do you want to be? And what kind of world do you want?

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"Our calm is contagious": How to use mindfulness in a pandemic

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Finding the best ways to do good. If you're feeling extra anxiety these days due to the Covid-19 coronavirus, you're not alone. This pandemic has us all facing more stress and uncertainty than usual. It also has many of us asking: How do we keep from spiraling into full-blown panic?

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We can all help prevent suicide. The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.

988

¡Los servicios de texto y chat de 988 Lifeline ya están disponibles en español!
Haga clic aquí para obtener información sobre cómo acceder a todos los servicios en español.

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Stock photo by iStock.

The 988 Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States. We're committed to improving crisis services and advancing suicide prevention by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices, and building awareness.

About The Lifeline

Anyone could be struggling with suicide. Find more specific resources below.

I'm Struggling With Individuals with Neurodivergence

We understand that every struggle is different. Experience the stories of people like you, and how they overcame crisis to find hope and recovery.
read stories of hope & recovery

First, you'll hear an automated message featuring additional options while your call is routed to your local 988 Lifeline network crisis center.

We'll play you a little music while we connect you to a skilled, trained crisis worker.

A trained crisis worker at your local center will answer the phone.

This person will listen to you, understand how your problem is affecting you, provide support, and get you the help you need.

988 Lifeline Center calls are free and confidential, and we're available 24/7.

Show What Happens When You Call The Lifeline

Everyone Plays A Role In Suicide Prevention

Get in touch

Call the Lifeline

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Skip to main content We can all help prevent suicide. The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States. 988 ¡Los servicios de texto y chat de 988 Lifeline ya están disponibles en español!

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Adolescence is a time of change, when young people may experience stress from many sources, including relationships with friends and family members and problems at school. Many high school students report thinking about suicide, ¹ and in 2014, suicide was the second leading cause of death among young people ages 13 to 19 years. ²

Risk and Protective Factors

Suicide prevention efforts seek to reduce the suicide risk factors for teens and strengthen the factors that help protect them from suicide. Here are a few examples:

Risk factors

Depression and other mental health problems

Alcohol or drug use

Feelings of social isolation

Difficult life situations (abuse, bullying, poverty)

Protective factors

Life skills (problem-solving, coping)

Social support from family, friends, and others

Positive school experiences

References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Trends in the prevalence of suicide-related behavior, national YRBS: 1991-2014. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/pdf/trends/us_suicide_trend_yr...

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). Leading causes of death reports, national and regional, 1999-2014. Retrieved from webappa.cdc.gov/sasweb/ncipc/leadcaus10_us.html

Learn More

See the Recommended Resources below selected by SPRC personnel.

See All Resources Related to Adolescents for a full list of materials, programs, trainings, and other information available from SPRC. Use the filters on the left to narrow your results.

For more on other groups and settings, see our Populations and Settings pages.

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Adolescence is a time of change, when young people may experience stress from many sources, including relationships with friends and family members and problems at school. Many high school students report thinking about suicide, 1 and in 2014, suicide was the second leading cause of death among young people ages 13 to 19 years.

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HelpLine specialists are prepared to answer your questions on mental health issues. Contact us Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. ET. 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or info@nami.org

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Jon Kabat-Zinn - Mindfulness, Healing, and Wisdom in a Time of COVID-19

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Mindfulness Practice Program | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

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Inner Explorer is a completely reliable mindfulness practice program. Get rid of anxiety and bring peace of mind with our 5-10 minutes audio practice.

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A Message From the Chief Wellness Officer: How to cope with anxiety about coronavirus

Hello Everyone,

I know it is a challenging and stressful situation for everyone right now. As we continue to learn, understand and develop strategies to ensure optimal health and well-being for our community, you may be feeling anxious and stressed about the COVID-19 outbreak. Please know that you are not alone - members of the community, parents and students are experiencing higher than normal stress and anxiety levels right now. I have developed several anxiety-reducing strategies to use when talking to your children about COVID-19 and evidence-based strategies to help manage and prevent the spread of this infectious disease. Please watch my webinar: Key Strategies for Relieving Anxiety During the COVID-19 Pandemic below and use the links below to read more about these strategies. View and download slides from the webinar presentation. For the most up-to-date information regarding the Coronavirus outbreak, visit your state's Department of Health, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the National Institutes of Health. For the Ohio State community, visit the Wexner Medical Center.

Best wishes and stay well!

Warm and well regards,

Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk, PhD, APRN-CNP, EBP-C, FAANP, FNAP, FAAN
Vice President for Health Promotion, University Chief Wellness Officer
Dean and Professor, College of Nursing
Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, College of Medicine
Executive Director, Helene Fuld Health Trust National Institute for Evidence-based Practice in Nursing and Healthcare
The Ohio State University

The video recording below provides a free nursing CE. To qualify for 0.93 nursing contact hours, watch the presentation in its entirety. Upon completion you must complete a required course evaluation to receive your CE.
The Ohio State University College of Nursing is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

Tips for handling anxiety related to COVID-19

Questions, resources and solutions for reducing anxiety, stress and staying connected

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Hello Everyone, I know it is a challenging and stressful situation for everyone right now. As we continue to learn, understand and develop strategies to ensure optimal health and well-being for our community, you may be feeling anxious and stressed about the COVID-19 outbreak.

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i am staying home now i am getting my hours cut?

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i am staying home now i am getting my hours cut?