Social distancing going on now can be VERY unsettling for our children impacted by trauma. Their early adversities cause them heightened anxiety when there are changes and when the adults in their world seem tense. Yet, we also have opportunities to increase connection, enhance our relationship with our children and model how to stay regulated when things are not "normal".
The Attachment and Trauama Nework (ATN) has provided Trauma-Informed Resources during the COVID-19 Quarantine:
https://www.attachmenttraumanetwork.org/trauma-informed-resources-available-during-covid-19-quarantine/
As the number of cases of COVID-19 increase, so does the associated anxiety.
For the general public, the mental health effects of COVID-19 are as important to address as are the physical health effects. And for the one in five who already have mental health conditions – or the one in two who are at risk of developing them – we need to take personal, professional, and policy measures now to address them.
Mental Health America (MHA) has provided their own COVID-19 information and resources with this in mind:
https://mhanational.org/covid19
Additionally, the Center for Safe Schools is currently working on creating additional resources with MHA and ATN to support through the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Adam Lustig
Director, Center for Safe Schools
National School Boards Association
Alexandria, VA
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