Sunday, May 31, 2020

Teenagers and Reopening: Tips for helping kids stay safe during a confusing time

It’s a trying time to be the parent of a teenager. After months of being cooped up at home away from friends, unable to attend school or go out, most kids are chomping at the bit to get back to the lives they had before the pandemic. Getting teens to take safety seriously is a struggle at the best of times, and as the nation moves towards reopening, it’s never been more important to ensure kids are following the rules.

https://childmind.org/article/teenagers-and-reopening/

Thursday, May 28, 2020

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

How to help your teenager with staying home during lockdown - and transitioning out of lockdown

As restrictions ease across the UAE, there are still many people who are not fully comfortable returning to life as we knew it before the lockdowns. It can be hard though to try to explain why to your teen or to help them understand the importance of caution.

This is an interesting article with some great tips to help transition out of lockdown.


If you’re struggling to keep your teenager in the house and sticking to lockdown rules, know that you’re definitely not alone.
Teenage brains work differently than adult brains. Developing independence and freedom is one of the central parts of being a teenager, and at the same time they’re also relying on the impulse areas of their brains rather than the decision-making areas of their brains. Combined, that means they are much more focussed on living for today, having fun, testing boundaries and exploring their identity then they are following rules. It’s completely normal that they focus on these things, and begins to explain why they might find lockdown so hard.

Thursday, May 21, 2020

UAE sets up free national helpline to support mental health

A national hotline has been set up in the UAE to support the mental health of vulnerable people during the coronavirus outbreak.

Run by the UAE National Programme for Happiness and Wellbeing (NPHW), the hotline will help people cope with stress, fear and anxiety.

Those in need can call on toll-free support line, 800-4673 (Hope) or connect on WhatsApp to speak directly with specialists.

The service is available in Arabic and English.

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Telehealth Services - Child Mind Institute



As this Pandemic and all the restrictions it places upon us lingers there has been a documented rise in mental health challenges. If you or someone you know is struggling, please do reach out. 
Below are a variety of services offered by The Child Mind Institute. They are quite comprehensive.


Telehealth Services During COVID-19

In addition to our existing clinical care, we are now offering additional telehealth services during COVID-19.

We’re here to help you wherever you are.

 

 

Flat-Fee Phone Consultations

Connect with a clinician on our team. $150 for 30 minutes — topics can include:

  • Talking to children about the coronavirus crisis
  • Managing behavior and attention during remote learning
  • Setting limits around screen time and gaming
  • Maintaining social relationships during social distancing
  • Identifying and coping with signs of stress and anxiety in you and your family

Remote Learning

  • Remote neuropsychological evaluations for children 6 years and older
  • Tutoring in remote learning for reading, writing and math: $150 for 45 minutes
  • Support for test prep and organizational skills
  • Support for college students struggling with organizational skills and executive functioning

Support for Challenging Behaviors

Anxiety Support for Parents, Children and Teens

  • Parents of Anxious Children and Teens (PACT) Webinar
  • Brave Buddies: Remote, intensive group program designed to help children with selective mutism (SM).
    Ages: 3-12 years old
  • Social Anxiety Groups: Remote groups to teach children, adolescents and young adults coping skills to manage their anxiety in a supportive environment through exposures.
    Ages: 9-24 years old
  • OCD Treatment Group: Virtual group treatment for children, teens and young adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
    Ages: 9-18+ years old

Mood and Emotional Support

Sunday, May 17, 2020

Teens & COVID-19: Challenges and Opportunities During the Outbreak

Social distancing to slow the spread of COVID-19 can be especially hard for teens, who may feel cut off from their friends. Many also face big letdowns as graduations, proms, sports seasons, college visits and other long-planned events are cancelled or postponed.

Here are a few ways you can help your teen through this difficult time.

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/chest-lungs/Pages/Teens-and-COVID-19.aspx

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

A Teen Guide to Surviving Lockdown

We all struggle with the idea of lockdown and feeling disconnected from others. Teens feel this even more so than adults or younger children. This resource has been shared across counseling networks in Dubai and we hope you find it useful.
Teen's Guide To Surviving Lockdown

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Anxiety and Coping With the Coronavirus


We’re all on edge because of the coronavirus. Our daily lives have been disrupted, we aren’t sure what tomorrow may bring, and for many of us the nonstop news and social media coverage isn’t helping.

Our experts say that dealing with your own anxiety can be the most powerful way to make sure your kids feel secure. If you or your children are feeling worried, learning how to deal with that anxiety in a healthy way can help the whole family be more resilient, both now and when the pandemic is finally over.

Sunday, May 10, 2020

Reminder! Wellbeing Webinar - Cultivating Self-Compassion during COVID-19

Please join us for a K-12 webinar on Monday, May 11th for 2-3pm.

Cultivating Self-Compassion during COVID-19

About this webinar:
In the face of change and uncertainty, we are made to adapt to new realities and environments that are unfamiliar and sometimes unideal. More than ever, it is vital to live in the present and respond to our circumstances with self-compassion. With situational life changes, daily stressors, and increased time in solitude, it can be common to experience a harsher and louder inner-critic that is difficult to silence. In this webinar, you will learn strategies to tackle your critical inner voice, and understand how to face the changes brought about by the COVID-19 crisis with more compassion and humanity, especially towards oneself.

Helping Children Cope With Changes Resulting From COVID-19



Families across the country are adapting to the evolving changes in daily life caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Most schools, places of public gathering, and nonessential businesses are closed, and parents and other caregivers are faced with helping their families adjust to the new normal. This includes trying to keep children occupied, feeling safe, and attempting to keep up with schoolwork as best as possible. None of this is easy, but it helps to stay focused on what is possible in order to reinforce a sense of control and to reassure children that they are okay, and that the situation will get better.

https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-climate-safety-and-crisis/health-crisis-resources/helping-children-cope-with-changes-resulting-from-covid-19

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

REMINDER!!! K-12 webinar: Cultivating Self-Compassion during COVID-19 - Tomorrow

Please join us for a K-12 webinar on Monday, May 11th for 2-3pm.

Cultivating Self-Compassion during COVID-19

About this webinar:
In the face of change and uncertainty, we are made to adapt to new realities and environments that are unfamiliar and sometimes unideal. More than ever, it is vital to live in the present and respond to our circumstances with self-compassion. With situational life changes, daily stressors, and increased time in solitude, it can be common to experience a harsher and louder inner-critic that is difficult to silence. In this webinar, you will learn strategies to tackle your critical inner voice, and understand how to face the changes brought about by the COVID-19 crisis with more compassion and humanity, especially towards oneself.

Monday, May 4, 2020

Parenting During Coronavirus: You Are Enough

The expectations for being “perfect” during quarantine can add up. The best thing we can do right now is give ourselves what our friends offer us so willingly — the reminder that we are enough.https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/parenting-during-coronavirus-you-are-enough

Sunday, May 3, 2020

How to effectively motivate your kids during the pandemic

Wendy Grolnick, a psychologist and parenting expert who has worked with parents in disaster situations, has studied how parents can help children become more self-motivated and decrease conflict in the family. In this piece she shares some strategies to make the house run more smoothly during the coronavirus crisis.