As parents it is often difficult to know how to best support our kids when they are exposed to, hear about or experience traumatic events in the world, community or even their school. We know that feeling safe and secure is critical to positive mental health.
Recent events such as the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde Texas, War in Ukraine, the Oxford School shooting, gun or other violence in communities, as well as, ongoing incidents of racism and social unrest across our state and nation has highlighted the need to share quality information and tools families can use. Pasted below are a variety of resources from trusted partners on specific topics or events we hope can help you to support your kids and family during these challenging times.
Resources to Support Families following the Oxford School Shooting
Our Hearts Go Out to Oxford and Communities Across Michigan
As a statewide family organization, the heart of the entire ACMH family goes out to and breaks for the families who lost their children, students and staff who were injured, lost classmates and friends and the entire Oxford community following the shooting at Oxford High School last week. We recognize there are no words, well-wishes or condolences we could possibly share here that can help make any of this any better or easier. The short and long-term impacts of this tragic event on children, youth, and families in Oxford and across our state will be immense and immeasurable and all of us will likely never be the same. Reminding us once again just how quickly our lives can be forever altered or affected by events that have the capacity to shatter our sense of safety and security, challenge our ability to cope and threaten our overall mental health and wellness.
As an organization created to provide help and hope to families we like all Michiganders want to do anything we can to help. So if you, your child or family has been affected by this tragedy reach out today!
Events like this underscore the incredible importance of supporting children’s mental health and ensuring youth and their families have access to the services and support they need, which will be more important than ever as parents and communities across our state navigate the aftermath of this tragedy. As an organization dedicated to helping ensure that all Michigan children and youth with mental health challenges and their families live in a safe, welcoming communities with access to needed services and supports we know that this is a critical moment, in our state and the stakes are especially high. Students, families and schools in Oxford and communities across our state will need a lot of extra care and support in the coming months. Which will certainly be a challenge in a time when mental health needs are already high and resources scarce. It will take all of us working together to ensure that everyone who needs help to deal with this crisis gets it. We will need to share our collective expertise, efforts, information, resources, services and supports so that everyone can access what they need to heal and move forward We owe it to them, ourselves, our communities and the future of our state to make sure they get what they need!
We know that access to quality information, resources and peer support are key in order for families, schools and communities to successfully support and advocate for the mental health needs of children and youth. We will be working to gather information, tips and resources that may be helpful and dedicating this page to sharing them for the next several months. As information from mental health and disaster professionals, families, youth and community partners is shared with us we will share them here. Please check back often as new resources will be posted regularly and be sure to let us know if you you have something you have found especially helpful or can’t find something you need or think may be helpful.
Resources for Youth, Parents , Caregivers, Schools and Communities
American Psychological Association
Managing your distress in the aftermath of a shooting
Helping your children manage distress in the aftermath of a shooting
Child Mind Institute
Going Back to School After a Tragedy
Anxiety Over School Shootings – Finding proactive ways to deal with worried feelings
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
MDHHS Oxford Mental Health Resources
National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)
Parent Guidelines for Helping Youth after the Recent Shooting
Parent Guidelines for Helping Youth after the Recent Shooting SPANISH
Age-Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event
Psychological Impact of the Recent Shooting
Helping Youth after Community Trauma: Tips for Educators
SAMHSA- Resources for responding to needs surrounding the Oxford shooting
National Association of School Psychologists
Talking To Children About Violence Tips for Parents and Teachers
PREPaRE Crisis Support Guidance Brief Version
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Tips for Survivors: Coping With Grief After a Disaster or Traumatic Event
Tips for Survivors of a Disaster or Other Traumatic Event: Managing Stress
Tips for Survivors: Coping With Grief After Community Violence
Understanding Child Trauma
SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline Downloadable Brochure
SAMHSA Resources For Responding to Needs Surrounding the Oxford School Shooting
Resources and Information From Other Partners
Mental Health Considerations After a Traumatic Event. Voices Center for Resilience
Oakland Community Health Network – Mental Health Tips Following a National Tragedy – OCHN
Resources to help Michigan families cope with the Oxford High School shooting – Bridge Magazine/Chalkboard
Psychological First Aid: How You Can Support Well-Being in Disaster Victims
AACAP FFF Threats by Children When are they Serious?
Crisis Resources
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Call 1–800–273–TALK (1–800–273–8255), or, for Spanish, call 1–888–628–9454.The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline available 24/7 to people in crisis, including challenging reactions to disasters.
Call or text 1–800–985–5990 and receive immediate counseling. This free, confidential, and multilingual crisis support service is available to anyone experiencing psychological distress as a result of a natural or human caused event. People who call and text are connected to trained and caring professionals from crisis counseling centers in the network who can provide immediate confidential counseling, referrals, and other needed support services.
Oakland County Mental Health Crisis Lines :
Oakland County 24-Hour Crisis Helpline 800-231-1127 or the Michigan Crisis and Access Line (MiCAL) 1-844-446-4225 (Call or Text).
Bounce Back Now is a free mobile app available through the Google Play and App Stores. It is intended to help people with coping and resilience after a natural disaster or incident of mass violence. Once users have created an account, they can complete regular questionnaires to assess mental health, access education and coping tools, and put together a plan for improving emotional health. There are also parenting tips for helping children and teens in coping with the emotional impacts of a disaster.
Hear about a threat? Say Something!
Call 8-555-OK2SAY (855-565-2729)
Text: 652729 (OK2SAY)
Email: [email protected]
OK2SAY makes it easy to report threats of school violence and other suspect behavior anonymously.
Coming Soon:
Resources to Support Your Kids Following Community Violence or Social Unrest
Resources to Help kids Talk About Race, Racism and Social Justice
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