Social Emotional Health and Safety
Social Emotional Health and Safety (bullying, wellness, connections, mental health, SEL)
The following WCSD Departments support this work. Please consider browsing their websites for resources first.
Additional information and resources on social media safety, suicide prevention and recordings of the virtual safety forums can be found at www.washoeschools.net/safetyforum
Supporting our Students' Mental Health
Resources
WCSD School Counseling Helping Youth Cope with Scary News and Tragedy(opens in new window/tab)
WCSD School Counseling Fire Recovery Resources(opens in new window/tab)
WCSD's Counseling Department has specific resources for how to talk with during wildfires.
Pure Edge(opens in new window/tab)
Breathing exercises help improve mood and reduce anxiety . The link above will help you access breathing exercises that can be practiced at home.
Virtual Calming Rooms(opens in new window/tab)
“At the Osseo Area Learning Center, we have a Calming Room to help students and staff explore strategies to deal with those challenges. When you are out in the world and there isn't a calming room, here are some resources to help you find new ways to manage life and emotions.”
Self & Social Awareness: Read Alouds and Resources(opens in new window/tab)
(SEL Space) Links to videos for read alouds of books on specific topics relating to SEL
Helping My Child Grow and Succeed(opens in new window/tab)
The Children’s Cabinet supports families and the mental and emotional development of children. There are many resources available that support healthy development.
Family Materials(opens in new window/tab)
“Guidance for parents and other caring adults on how to support grieving children.” Available in 9 Languages:English, Spanish, Japanese, Italian, Haitian-Creole, Talalog, Simplified Chinese, Chinese, Korean
Grief Trigger (PDF)(opens in new window/tab)
“Providing students with tools to cope with grief triggers is critical to their overall well-being. Discover how you can be there for them in times of need.”
Concepts of Death (PDF)(opens in new window/tab)
“Children can feel confused and overwhelmed when faced with the loss of a loved one. Our module can help provide guidance and support during this difficult time.”
Coalition to Support Grieving Students(opens in new window/tab)
“The Coalition to Support Grieving Students is a unique collaboration of the leading professional organizations representing classroom teachers (including teachers, paraprofessionals, and other instructional staff), principals, assistant principals, superintendents, school board members, and central office staff, student support personnel (including school counselors, school nurses, school psychologists, school social workers, and other student support personnel), and other school professionals who have come together with a common conviction: grieving students need the support and care of the school community.”
When Grief/Loss Hits Close to Home: Tips for Caregivers(opens in new window/tab)
(NASP) “Strategies for Families Dealing with an Anticipatory Loss (E.G., Terminal Illness) and Strategies for Families Coping with Sudden Loss of a Loved One”
Talking to Kids About Emergencies and Mental Health
Family Materials(opens in new window/tab)
“Guidance for parents and other caring adults on how to support grieving children.” Available in 9 Languages:English, Spanish, Japanese, Italian, Haitian-Creole, Talalog, Simplified Chinese, Chinese, Korean
Grief Trigger (PDF)(opens in new window/tab)
“Providing students with tools to cope with grief triggers is critical to their overall well-being. Discover how you can be there for them in times of need.”
Concepts of Death (PDF)(opens in new window/tab)
“Children can feel confused and overwhelmed when faced with the loss of a loved one. Our module can help provide guidance and support during this difficult time.”
Coalition to Support Grieving Students(opens in new window/tab)
“The Coalition to Support Grieving Students is a unique collaboration of the leading professional organizations representing classroom teachers (including teachers, paraprofessionals, and other instructional staff), principals, assistant principals, superintendents, school board members, and central office staff, student support personnel (including school counselors, school nurses, school psychologists, school social workers, and other student support personnel), and other school professionals who have come together with a common conviction: grieving students need the support and care of the school community.”
When Grief/Loss Hits Close to Home: Tips for Caregivers(opens in new window/tab)
(NASP) “Strategies for Families Dealing with an Anticipatory Loss (E.G., Terminal Illness) and Strategies for Families Coping with Sudden Loss of a Loved One”
Tools for Families
Child Mind Institute(opens in new window/tab)
Multilingual trauma resources in 16 languages - The Child Mind Institute has prepared free trauma resources to aid parents, educators, and other adults in talking to children and adolescents about potentially traumatic events and identifying those who might benefit from more focused professional attention. (Recursos de trauma en español e 16 idiomas diferentes.)
State of Nevada -Office of Suicide Prevention Presentation(opens in new window/tab)
The following presentation supports families to talk to their children about suicide. This presentation is from the 2022 WCSD Safety Forum.
How Toxic Stress Affects Us, and What We Can Do About It(opens in new window/tab)
For those who've experienced toxic stress, just getting through the day can feel tough, let alone being the best parents or caregivers you can be. In this video, learn more about what toxic stress can feel like, and practical steps you can take to feel better and build resilience for yourself and your children.
This recording describes how to help your child with Executive Functioning Skills: Organization, Planning, Time Management and More.
Newsletter Articles
National and Community-based Organizations
Nevada Teen Peer Support Text Line(opens in new window/tab)
775-296-8336 -Nevada Teen Peer Support Text Line - NAMI Western Nevada
Safe Talk for Teens(opens in new window/tab)
“Teaching positive & healthy coping skills. Facilitating good decisions through Values Clarification. Motivation through our Goal Setting exercise. A safe place for kids and/or parents to talk while maintaining confidentiality. Being a first line of defense, a place for “early listening.” When necessary, referrals to counseling services and/or programs.”
Nevada Resilience Project(opens in new window/tab)
“The Nevada Resilience Project supports families and individuals experiencing struggles and behavioral health challenges.” El Proyecto de Resiliencia de Nevada - “El Proyecto de Resiliencia de Nevada apoya a familias e individuos que experimentan luchas y desafíos de salud conductual.” Other languages available: Spanish, Filipino, French, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Vietnamese and Chinese
Prevent Bullying | Project Appleseed(opens in new window/tab)
CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning)(opens in new window/tab)
The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning is helping make evidence-based social and emotional learning an integral part of education from preschool through high school.
Impactful by iNDIEFLIX(opens in new window/tab)
Showings include: Angst, Like, Upstanders and Race to be Human. If you are interested in having a screening at your school site, email WCSD Parent University Coordinator, Maria Fernandez.
Screenagers Under the Influence(opens in new window/tab)
Host a screening at your school with a facilitated discussion by experts
Additional Resources
Community Youth Mental Health Guide
Understanding northern Nevada's resources for children and teens who need mental health support. *Last updated January 2023
Interested in learning more about what workshops are available? Click on the link above to view workshops aligned to the Safe and Healthy Schools Toolkit. For Staff Only - Please use SSO to access.
Connect Washoe County(opens in new window/tab)
Support for Washoe County, NV's Youth and Teen Mental Health
Helping Your Child Heal After Trauma
Medically reviewed by: Allison T. Dovi, PhD, Psychology (Behavioral Health) at Nemours Children's Health. Spanish resources are also available on the site.
Specific Suicide Information(opens in new window/tab)
This website shares suicide prevention resources from the state of Nevada.
SafeVoice(opens in new window/tab)
Use the SAFEVOICE App or log onto SafeVoiceNV.org, select your school, select event type or concern type or you may call the hotline at 1-833-216-7233 “Students, parents and faculty throughout Nevada now have access to SafeVoice, an anonymous reporting system used to report threats to the safety or well-being of students.”
Mobile Crisis Response Team(opens in new window/tab)
all 775-688-1670 or visit http://www.knowcrisis.com/ “The Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) was created to provide crisis intervention and short-term support to Nevada families dealing with a behavioral or mental health crisis.” Spanish resources are also available on the site.
Find help 24/7 by dialing 2-1-1; texting 898-211 or visiting www.nevada211.org. Available in multiple languages. Click on the link above to acess,
The Lifeline and 988(opens in new window/tab)
“988 is now the three-digit dialing code that routes callers to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (or 988 Lifeline). When people call, text, or chat with the 988 Lifeline, they are connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing 988 Lifeline network, made up of over 200 local crisis centers.”
Adding Resources:
The following WCSD Departments have contributed to this Toolkit: Behavior, Communications, Counseling, Curriculum & Instruction, Emergency Management, Family-School Partnerships, Multi-tiered System of Supports-Social-Emotional Learning and Psychology. If you would like to add resources, for consideration to this toolkit, please contact Family-School Partnerships.