Educational Resources - Department of Mental Health

Back To School Resources

As students return to school in modified settings for COVID safety, we understand that youths, families, caregivers, educators and school staff may feel anxious, fearful, upset and depressed during this unprecedented transition period. To help address these concerns, we have assembled this collection of mental health and wellbeing resources for you to review, use and share with your family and school communities.

Learning Together Safely PSA from LACDMH, Los Angeles County Office of Education and Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

LACDMH Resources

School-Based Community Access Point was launched in 2019 to expand access to prevention services and supports for students and their families toward individual and community well-being. Through SBCAP, LACDMH implemented well-being initiatives in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Office of Education, the Los Angeles Unified School District, and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

School Wellbeing Toolkit was created by the DMH-UCLA Prevention Center of Excellence for teachers and school staff to practice self-care and support the wellbeing of their school community. Each topic card will provide practical strategies and self-care tips for educators

For more resources, check out “Educators Overcoming Under Stress,” a series of stories to support educators and school staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. The full series — plus additional courses, tools and resources — is available for free on the DMH-UCLA Prevention Center of Excellence learning platform. (Please note you will need to create a free login account to access the platform’s resources.)

California Office of the Surgeon General

California Surgeon General’s Playbook: Stress Relief for Caregivers and Kids During COVID-19
Stress management guidance for parents and caregivers

Los Angeles County Office Of Education (LACOE) Resources

Additional Resources for Educators & School Staff

Back to School Toolkit (Mental Health America)
Toolkit for educators, parents and students to address mental health issues when returning to school
COVID-19 pandemic: Helping young children and parents transition back to school (CDC)
Learn what parents and teachers can do to help children make a successful transition to in-person learning and care.
Getting Back To Schools After Disruptions (Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports)
Resources for making your school year safer, more predictable and more positive
Addressing Race And Trauma In The Classroom (The National Child Traumatic Stress Network [NCTSN])
A resource for educators
Teaching Through Trauma (California Educator)
A series of stories that look at how educators are helping students with trauma
Helping Youth After Community Trauma (NCTSN)
Tips for educators
Back to School Resources for Counselors (American School Counselor Association)
Supporting student social and emotional learning, as well as mental and behavioral health issues, during COVID-19
Back To School After COVID-19 (Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network)
Supporting student and staff mental health toolkit
Countering Coronavirus Stigma & Racism (National Association of School Psychologists)
Tips for teachers and other educators
Teaching Tolerance (Tolerance.org)
Affirming Black lives without inducing trauma
Supporting Black LGBTQ Youth Mental Health (Trevor Project)
Tips for educators

Additional Resources for Parents

Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health As They Return To School (UNICEF)
How parents can help their children navigate their feelings
What Will Return To School During COVID-19 Pandemic Look Like? (UNICEF)
What parents need to know about school reopening in the age of coronavirus
Helping Children Cope With Changes Resulting From COVID-19 (National Association of School Psychologists)
Tips for parents on helping children during the COVID-19 pandemic
Helping Children Cope During COVID-19 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Guidance for parents to support children
Helping Kids Grieve (Sesame Street in Communities)
Tips and resources for parent on helping children who lost a loved one

Resources for Youth

Responding to Change and Loss (National Alliance for Grieving Children)
Activities for children and teens experiencing grief
Guided Meditations for Teens (Mindfulness for Teens)
How LGBTQ Youth Can Cope with Anxiety and Stress During COVID-19 (Trevor Project)
NAMI Resources (NAMI-Urban Los Angeles)
Various local resources for teens and families
College Planning Guide for Students with Mental Health Disorders (Intelligent.com)

Crisis Support
Resources that may help if you are experiencing a mental health crisis or need immediate support include

988 Lifeline (24/7 phone/text/chat)
CA Youth Crisis Hotline (24/7 phone)
800-843-5200
Trevor Project (24/7 phone/text/chat)
866-488-7386
Trans Lifeline (24/7 phone)
877-565-8860
Teen Line (6 to 10 p.m. Pacific Time by phone; 6 to 9 p.m. Pacific Time by text)