The conversation around children’s mental health needs has been
growing for years. There have been great advancements in
neuropsychological research and neuroimaging that have improved our
understanding of how our experiences affect brain chemistry and
development. We now understand that exposure to chronic environmental
stressors (poverty, community violence, familial disruption and
instability) and the effects of traumatic incidents, also known as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs),
can alter a child’s brain development, hindering their ability to learn
and their development of self-regulation and other important social
skills.
There now is a general understanding that mental health issues and
mental illnesses have their roots in childhood, during critical periods
of growth, particularly in adolescence, when physical and physiological
changes add to the chemistry of ongoing brain development. (published by the National Educators Association - NEA).
If a parent or student feel they need support to address mental wellness, the classroom teacher or school administrator should be contacted. At the school level, a Student Study Team meeting can be scheduled to discuss options and services that may be available through the school.
We are also providing the link to the Shasta County Health Department where a parent or student may find additional resources and help in addressing mental wellness or alcohol and drug abuse.
SHASTA COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT (888-385-5201)
Shasta County Mental Health Resources:
Shasta Ready - COVID-19 - Taking Care of Yourself
ACEs Aware:
Six Stress-Busting Strategies for Kids
Six Stress-Busting Strategies for Adults
CDC; Helping Children Cope with Emergencies:
https://www.cdc.gov/childrenindisasters/helping-children-cope.html
Psychology Today: Controlling Coronavirus Anxiety; How you can take charge of fear in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis.:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/erasing-stigma/202003/controlling-coronavirus-anxiety
CDC; Helping Children Cope:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/for-parents.html
“I’m So Stressed Out;” Brochure for Teens and Young Adults (National Institute of Mental Health)
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/so-stressed-out-fact-sheet/20-mh-8125-imsostressedout_160567.pdf
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network Resource Page:
https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types/traumatic-grief/nctsn-resources
Helping Children with Traumatic Separation or Traumatic Greif Related to COVID-19:
https://www.nctsn.org/resources/helping-children-with-traumatic-separation-or-traumatic-grief-related-to-covid-19
Shasta County Health and Human Services:
https://www.co.shasta.ca.us/index/hhsa/office-locations/redding