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Oakland Unified School District

OUSD Highlights Mental Health Awareness Month & Shares Resources to Help Students and Families

OUSD Highlights Mental Health Awareness Month & Shares Resources to Help Students and Families
OUSD Highlights Mental Health Awareness Month & Shares Resources to Help Students and Families
OUSD Highlights Mental Health Awareness Month & Shares Resources to Help Students and Families
OUSD Highlights Mental Health Awareness Month & Shares Resources to Help Students and Families

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental health takes many forms and is closely connected to how we think about ourselves, show up in our relationships and friendships, function at school or work, and the quality of our physical health. There has been an increase of poor mental health, especially among young people, that started before, and grew during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Mental health conditions are at pandemic levels now. We want to share some ideas for helping the children and youth you entrust to us during the school day. 

Here are ways families and caregivers play critical roles in helping young people build strong foundations for lifelong well-being:

  • Teaching children and teens coping skills to empower them to take charge of their mental health. You may not be able to control what has happened to your child, and we can help them learn to react in healthier ways when bad things happen. 
  • Learning to identify mental health challenges in children and teens, leading to prevention and early intervention, can save lives.
  • Starting the conversation early and talking about mental health can help children and teens build coping skills, as well as understand and feel comfortable with their emotions.
  • Ensuring nurturing relationships and environments is important for helping children and teens develop good mental health practices and manage life stressors in healthy ways.
  • Having strong mental health practices helps children and teens develop tools to practice self-care and face challenges with resilience.

Here are some things you can consider to help support your child’s mental health:

  • “Name it to tame it.” - Emotions are a way we communicate. Often we can help our children stay in control of their emotions just by letting them know that we see what they are feeling. “You’re frustrated,” allows them to then share more, without thinking they need to show you their emotion in a bigger way.
  • Co-regulate.  Feelings are “contagious” and it is better for them to catch your calm or confident feelings than for you to catch their upsetting or anxious feelings. Your children are watching us, especially when they are having strong emotions or we are having strong emotions. Show your kids how you take a quick pause or break, catch your breath, or calm your nerves.
  • Rituals & Routines. Having a schedule and routines frees kids up to focus on other things. It helps them see that you are in control, and that they are safe. It builds healthy habits. Bedtime and wake-up routines are the most common, and consider how you can have movement routines together: going on walks, body weight exercise, throwing or kicking a ball around, etc. 
  • Show interest in their interests. Sit next to your child and watch the game they are playing or some of the video shorts they are watching. Notice how skilled they are at the game, or how they keep going/trying. Notice what things they search and watch, and how much they know about it. Tip: Sometimes, just before you tell your child they need to stop what they are doing to do something else, connect with them about what they are currently doing, and then tell them what you need them to do next.

If you or your child is experiencing any mental health concerns such as stress, anxiety, depression, or substance abuse, you are not alone and there are resources available to support you. 

Finding Counseling Outside of School: 

  • Care Solace: For any OUSD student, their family members, or OUSD staff. Call to speak with a care coordinator who will ask about the type of mental health or substance use services you are looking for, or help you learn about different types of services. Then, based on your type of insurance (Medi-Cal, private insurance, or uninsured), will locate healthcare providers who are currently accepting new clients and provide you with their contact information. The service offers live 24/7 video chat, email, or phone support in more than 200 languages. https://caresolace.com/site/oakland. Call (888) 515-0595.
  • Alameda ACCESS Line for families with Medi-Cal insurance. Call this hotline to get connected to counseling or other mental health services at (800) 491-9099. You can also visit: http://www.acbhcs.org/providers/Access/access.htm. 
  • SAMHSA Helpline: Provides 24 hour free and confidential help. You can get treatment referral and information about mental health and drug or alcohol use disorders, prevention, and recovery in English and Spanish.

Urgent Need (but not emergency or life threatening):

  • Organizing and Responding to Crisis for Alameda (ORCA) Youth is a rapid (but not emergency) response short-term therapy program focused on working with youth and their families when the youth is at moderate or higher risk for suicide. Monday - Friday. 1-800-260-0094
  • California Youth Crisis Line: Young people can always call or text the California Youth Crisis Line, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-843-5200.
  • Peer Run Warm Line: Non-emergency support line, run by peers. Call 1-855-845-7415.
  • Parent Support and Resource Hotline: Family Paths - 24 Hour Parent Support & Resource Hotline provides free and confidential counseling, information, and referrals to anyone in need of parenting support. Call 1-800-829-3777.
  • Safe and Sound: 24 Hour Parent Support Hotline and parenting resources. Call 1-415-441-KIDS (5437).

Emergency & Crisis Services: 

  • 9-1-1 and CATT (Community Assessment and Transport Team): If you or someone you know has taken steps toward ending their life, they are currently talking about suicide, or are otherwise having difficulty staying safe, call 9-1-1. Mental health emergencies are medical emergencies. A trained Mental Health Crisis Team or EMTs/Paramedics will respond after police make sure it is safe for them.
  • Dial ‘988’ for National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This works like 9-1-1 except it is for serious mental health needs or crises when a person needs to talk to someone to help stay safe, but does not need emergency medical care. This line does not use location tracking, and can only send help to you if you provide your information to them. Languages: English, Spanish, TTY. Call, text, or chat. 988lifeline.org
  • ALAMEDA COUNTY CRISIS LINE: Crisis Support Services of Alameda County - 24 Hour Crisis Line. Call 1-800-309-2131
  • Alameda County Mobile Crisis Unit: Mental Health Crisis Team instead of calling 9-1-1 for mental health crises. Monday-Friday: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm, call (510) 891-5600 

General Resources to Learn More about Children’s Mental Health:

As we enter the summer months, we hope you and your family will be able to care for your mental health and that of your children in small and meaningful moments together. If you find yourself or your family member is  dealing with unexpected mental health challenges, please use the resources above to reach out for support. We all benefit from support sometimes.

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