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Editor’s Note: This guest column was written by Delaware Secretary of Education Mark Holodick and Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Families (DSCYF) Secretary Josette Manning.
As parents or guardians, we tend to react quickly when our children’s physical health is in question. If children show physical symptoms, become injured, or indicate that they are not feeling well, we immediately ask questions and seek medical guidance and care. Parents and guardians are also advocates of prevention: making sure kids get their vaccinations and wellness exams, and keeping an eye out for anything unusual that might indicate they’re sick or hurt. The same level of care and action for prevention and treatment is critical to supporting children’s mental health.
Many children will have a mental health and/or substance use problem before the age of 18. In a survey of 80,000 young adults worldwide, 1 in 4 reported symptoms of depression and 1 in 5 reported symptoms of anxiety. These rates are double what they were before the pandemic, and we also know that more children have experienced trauma in response to COVID. The good news is that there are things caregivers can do to help promote children’s mental well-being. Children thrive in the presence of well-rounded adults who help them co-regulate and process their emotions. When a child has an emotionally healthy and supportive adult in their life, it can help protect them from stress and help them navigate experiences with resilience. Anyone can be that adult for a child and make a real difference in their life. How? One of the easiest ways is for caregivers to talk to the children in their care naturally, regularly and intentionally as part of everyday life. Ask how they feel in general and about specific situations, such as an upcoming social gathering or a new world event. These conversations can be held in the car, in line or at the dinner table. Be an active listener and show interest in all aspects of their lives and the things that are important to them. And don’t hesitate to talk to them if you’re concerned about their mental health and ask if they’re thinking or planning suicide. If you are concerned about a child in crisis, you should call the 24/7 Child Crisis Line, also known as the Mobile Stabilization Resource Service, at 1-800-969-HELP (4357).
In addition to caring adults, research shows that prevention and treatment programs work and resources are available to help children and their families through the Delaware Children’s Department of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services (DPBHS) and the Department of Education (DOE). and local schools.
The Division of Preventive and Behavioral Health Services (DPBHS) offers free summer prevention programs for children and youth that promote resilience, develop positive relationships with peers and adults, and develop life skills. Families and community members can contact the division’s Prevention Helpline to learn about these services by calling (302) 633-2680, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or by email at PBHS_Prevention_Inquiries@delaware.gov. You can click here to view the current catalog of programs: https://kidsfiles.delaware.gov/pdfs/pbh-summer-prevention-programs-2022.pdf. You can also visit the DPBHS website to learn more about covered treatment services at https://kids.delaware.gov/prevention-and-behavioral-health-services/information-for-families/.
Delaware schools support children through wellness promotion, monitoring for early warning signs and risk assessment. Students have access to group and individual support to develop social and emotional skills. The state’s Social, Emotional and Behavioral Wellness Plan provides the infrastructure for this response system, integrating innovations from Project DelAWARE – designed to reduce the stigma associated with mental health access – and Project THRIVE – which contracts directly with mental health providers to provide trauma. -specific interventions for ALL uninsured and underinsured students, regardless of whether they are participating in a public or private school demonstration project funded by the US Department of Education. Both of these programs have increased mental health equity for children and youth across our state. Students or parents and guardians on their behalf can get more information by calling 211 or texting their zip code to 898-211.
Related Topics: children, Delaware, DSCYF, education, families, mental health, resources, students, support
Stay up-to-date by receiving a daily digest email containing news releases from state agencies at news.delaware.gov around noon.
You can subscribe here for future news updates.
Editor’s Note: This guest column was written by Delaware Secretary of Education Mark Holodick and Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Families (DSCYF) Secretary Josette Manning.
As parents or guardians, we tend to react quickly when our children’s physical health is in doubt. If children show physical symptoms, become injured or indicate that they are not feeling well, we immediately ask questions and seek medical advice and attention. Parents and guardians are also advocates of prevention: making sure kids get their vaccinations and wellness exams, and keeping an eye out for anything unusual that might indicate they’re sick or hurt. The same level of care and action for prevention and treatment is critical to supporting children’s mental health.
Many children will have a mental health and/or substance use problem before the age of 18. In a survey of 80,000 young adults worldwide, 1 in 4 reported symptoms of depression and 1 in 5 reported symptoms of anxiety. These rates are double what they were before the pandemic, and we also know that more children have experienced trauma in response to COVID. The good news is that there are things caregivers can do to help promote children’s mental well-being. Children thrive in the presence of well-rounded adults who help them co-regulate and process their emotions. When a child has an emotionally healthy and supportive adult in their life, it can help protect them from stress and help them navigate experiences with resilience. Anyone can be that adult for a child and make a real difference in their life. How? One of the easiest ways is for caregivers to talk to the children in their care naturally, regularly and intentionally as part of everyday life. Ask how they feel in general and about specific situations, such as an upcoming social gathering or a new world event. These conversations can be held in the car, in line or at the dinner table. Be an active listener and show interest in all aspects of their lives and the things that are important to them. And don’t hesitate to talk to them if you’re concerned about their mental health and ask if they’re thinking or planning suicide. If you are concerned about a child in crisis, you should call the 24/7 Child Crisis Line, also known as the Mobile Stabilization Resource Service, at 1-800-969-HELP (4357).
In addition to caring adults, research shows that prevention and treatment programs work and resources are available to help children and their families through the Delaware Children’s Department of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services (DPBHS) and the Department of Education (DOE). and local schools.
The Division of Preventive and Behavioral Health Services (DPBHS) offers free summer prevention programs for children and youth that promote resilience, develop positive relationships with peers and adults, and develop life skills. Families and community members can contact the division’s Prevention Helpline to learn about these services by calling (302) 633-2680, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or by email at PBHS_Prevention_Inquiries@delaware.gov. You can click here to view the current catalog of programs: https://kidsfiles.delaware.gov/pdfs/pbh-summer-prevention-programs-2022.pdf. You can also visit the DPBHS website to learn more about covered treatment services at https://kids.delaware.gov/prevention-and-behavioral-health-services/information-for-families/.
Delaware schools support children through wellness promotion, monitoring for early warning signs and risk assessment. Students have access to group and individual support to develop social and emotional skills. The state’s Social, Emotional and Behavioral Wellness Plan provides the infrastructure for this response system, integrating innovations from Project DelAWARE – designed to reduce the stigma associated with mental health access – and Project THRIVE – which contracts directly with mental health providers to provide trauma. -specific interventions for ALL uninsured and underinsured students, regardless of whether they are participating in a public or private school demonstration project funded by the US Department of Education. Both of these programs have increased mental health equity for children and youth across our state. Students or parents and guardians on their behalf can get more information by calling 211 or texting their zip code to 898-211.
Related Topics: children, Delaware, DSCYF, education, families, mental health, resources, students, support
Stay up-to-date by receiving a daily digest email containing news releases from state agencies at news.delaware.gov around noon.
You can subscribe to future news updates here.
