Mental Health Resources: Parents, Caregivers and Families

The following resources provide tools and ideas for parents and caregivers to support their children’s mental health needs following a natural disaster or traumatic event.  Resources include printable guides that can be disseminated by schools to support families.

MMHPI Strategies and Tips for Teachers, Parents, and Caregivers

Organization: Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute (MMHPI)
Description: The Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute (MMHPI) has developed the following documents with strategies and tips that teachers, parents and caregivers can use to support children in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. 
How Parents and Caregivers Can Help Children Cope After a Natural Disaster Such as Hurricane/Tropical Storm Harvey  (PDF 106 KB) This document provides information for parents and caregivers. It describes how children respond to natural disasters such as Hurricane/Tropical Storm Harvey. 
Tips for Parents and Caregivers to Help Children Cope with Hurricane/Tropical Storm Harvey (PDF 116 KB) This document is for parents and caregivers. It lists important tips on how to effectively support their children in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.
Area(s): Statewide
Eligibility & Access: N/A

Parent Guidelines for Helping Children after a Hurricane

Organization: National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Description: This three-page document identifies common reactions to hurricanes and offers tips to parents and caregivers for helping their children and themselves manage and bounce back from traumatic experiences. The printer-friendly format makes it easy to share with families who are not able to access it online. 
Area(s): Statewide
Eligibility & Access: N/A

You can download a copy of the document here  http://nctsn.org/sites/default/files/assets/pdfs/parents_guidelines_talk_children_hurricanes.pdf

Disaster Safety for Children

Organization: American Red Cross
Description: This resource provides information that prepares parents and families to give guidance that will help reduce their children’s fears
Area(s): Statewide
Eligibility & Access: N/A

For more information visit: http://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/disaster-safety-for-children#Preparedness-Activities 

Tips for Helping Children After the Event 

Organization: Child Mind Institute
Description: The Child Mind Institute offers 12 tips for addressing stress and fostering resilience in children who have experienced a traumatic event. Preventing or limiting exposure to news coverage is especially critical with toddlers and school-age children, since seeing or hearing disturbing events recounted in the media can make them seem like they are continuing to happen.
Area(s): Statewide
Eligibility & Access: N/A

For more information visit: https://childmind.org/guide/helping-children-cope-traumatic-event/tips-helping-children-trauma 

Here for Each Other, Helping Families After a Hurricane 

Organization: Sesame Street
Description: To help families as they begin your recovery, Sesame Street has developed “Here for Each Other,” a family guide that offers tips and activities that offer comfort and assurance for young children. 
Area(s): Statewide
Eligibility & Access: N/A

To download a copy of the document, visit:
http://www.sesamestreet.org/sites/default/files/media_folders/Images/SupportAfterEmergency_Printable_Hurricane_FamilyGuide.pdf 

Child and Family Resources for Hurricane Recovery

Organization: The Terrorism and Disaster Center for Child and Family Resilience at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center
Description: This organization has compiled a list of resources and materials to help families recover from the mental and behavioral challenges post-disaster. The information may be periodically updated to include additional resources.
Area(s): Statewide  
Eligibility & Access: N/A

For more information visit: http://www.medschool.lsuhsc.edu/tdc/hurricane_resource.aspx. Contact the Center webmaster  at tcraf3@lsuhsc.edu to request additional materials or receive updates on the organization’s work.