Wellness Connect

In this Issue:

Children & Family Resources

Self-care tips

Tips to support students mental health during COVID-19 pandemic

Family Wellness Challenge

Family Wellness Challenge:

For the next 7 days, tell each other one thing you are grateful for.

Wellness Team
9th Grade
Ms. McMillian
[email protected]

10th & 11th Grade
Ms. Caldwell
[email protected]

12th Grade
Dr. Cox
[email protected]

School Psychologist
Dr. Palmer
[email protected]

Wellness Connect
Past Newsletters

Self-Care Tips

 

Meditate/Pray/Read Inspirational Quotes

Spend time in nature


Listen to music


Join a virtual book club


Go for a walk


Write in a gratitude journal


Carve out time to be alone


Schedule virtual time with friends and family


Take a break from social media

Dunbar High School Wellness Team Newsletter

 

We know that this may be a difficult time for some of our families. You are trying to wrap your head around this pandemic, practice social distancing, navigate this new at home learning format, deal with your high school student’s stress and anxiety (not to mention your own), worry about job security or just wonder when things can finally return to normal. Whatever those worries or fears may be, we want you to know that we are here for you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your grade level social worker or school psychologist if you need further assistance.

Children and Family Resources:

Crisis Support

Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP) 202-673-9319

Children and Adolescent Mobile Crisis (CHAMPS) 202-481-1440


Behavioral and Mental Health Support

Access Helpline 1-888-793-4357

Federal City Recovery Services 202-562-4939

Hillcrest Children’s Center 202-232-6100

Latin American Youth Center 202-319-2229

Child and Family Services 202-671-7233


Housing Resources

Virginia Williams Family Resource Center 202-526-0017

Tips to support student mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic

1. Combat Fear with Facts– Staying home and washing our hands combats the spread of the virus. If lots of people get sick right away, we won’t have enough doctors and hospital equipment to help them.

2. Talk to them about fake news– You can give them facts, but more importantly, you can arm them with the ability to distinguish truth from rumors on the internet. The next time they get a Snapchat message saying the city is closing, we want them to ask “says who?” and you can teach them that.

3. Don’t let virtual learning add to anxiety- Consider reminding your teens about due dates more than normal. Parents can help students break down virtual learning into tangible steps, often through the same methods they did during in-person school: encouraging use of a planner or other organization system, communicating with teachers or helping your student to do so, and working on time management with your teen.

4. Encourage virtual connection-Just because students are stuck at home doesn’t mean they need to lose social connection. Some classes may offer virtual hangouts on Zoom, Teams, Instagram, and Google Hangouts. Also, high school teens can meet on their own virtually with friends and family.

5. Know the warning signs of mental health concerns– Be vigilant about mental health red flags

COVID-19