COPING WITH
COMMUNITY CRISES
COPING WITH COMMUNITY CRISES
Supporting Children Experiencing Community Crises
Community crises, such as natural disasters, pandemics or political unrest, cause confusing emotions for young people. Rainbows’ programs can help young people navigate difficult times and provide a sense of stability.
Helpful Resources
Resources for Talking to Youth About Community Crises
Resources for Children and Teens
Activities and action steps for children who are anxious about climate change
- The FREE Rainbows App has “Mood Boosters”–age-specific activities for children and teens to help boost their mood. Search for “Rainbows for All Children” on Google Play store or iTunes.
- Rainbows’ Pinterest page has activities that are good for children and/or families when they are stuck inside, fast meals to prepare, and ways to cope when under stress: https://www.pinterest.com/rainbowsforallchildren/
- “Responding to Change and Loss” : This booklet is free to download here and was created thanks to the support of Alex Cares for Grieving Youth and the National Alliance for Grieving Children.
- Donald Sutherland reads a children’s book about the “Big Feelings” kids can have when they are stuck inside during the pandemic: https://youtu.be/SvtGI9YxPk4
Specifically for teens
- Erika’s Lighthouse “We’re in this together” campaign: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/inthistogether/?utm_source=Erika%27s+Lighthouse+Subscribers&utm_campaign=5ea1576e50-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_08_14_10_37_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_36281010ad-5ea1576e50-356110717
Back to School Resources for Students
- Kid Health — Information for kids and teens about how to deal with feelings and difficult situations: https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/feeling/?WT.ac=k-nav-feeling
- Johns Hopkins Children’s Center — A PDF on how to combat loneliness and boredom: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/-/media/johns-hopkins-childrens-center/documents/_documents/resources-combat-loneliness-boredom.pdf
- Teen Mental Health — Information for teens about mental health issues and how to get through them: http://teenmentalhealth.org/
- Time to Talk: Tips for Talking about Your Mental Health: https://www.mhanational.org/time-talk-tips-talking-about-your-mental-health
- How to Maintain your Social Relationships During Online School: https://mhanational.org/how-maintain-your-social-relationships-during-online-school-kids-and-teens
- Social Emotional Learning Videos — Videos on managing anxiety and stress and learning about empathy: https://www.mylemarks.com/sel-videos.html
Resources for Parents, Caregivers, and Teachers
Children and teens may have heightened fears and worries; those who have experienced loss are particularly vulnerable to greater anxiety and depression.
Here are some ways to provide support to the children and teens in your life:
- Ask grandparents, or other older relatives, to “check in” on the child or teen by calling 1-2 times/week. This can not only help the child feel valued, but it can also help the older person who might also be feeling isolated and depressed to feel important and needed. Alternatively, you can also assign the task to an older child or teen to check in on “grandma” and make sure they are okay.
- Help children and teens to establish a new routine, if their current one has changed. Children thrive on routine, which helps them feel more safe and secure. Be sure to build in time for fun and relaxation as well as schoolwork, chores, etc.
- Check in with the child regularly. Ask open-ended questions. Rather than “How are you?” ask “What are some of the concerns you have going into today?” or “What did you like most about the way things went today?”
- Avoid focusing conversations entirely on fears and worries but encourage discussion about feelings and healthy ways to cope with new changes and things that cause anxiety. Try as much as possible to focus on the positive: what is going well, what can we be thankful for, what are things to look forward to.
- Find more ways to support them when they experience fears and worries here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nEQGb4UtuzIjCkym-1gcwyBMmYw73SxG/view?usp=sharing
Guide for parents/caregivers on family coping (English, Chinese, Spanish available):
- National Child Traumatic Stress Network: https://www.nctsn.org/resources/parent-caregiver-guide-to-helping-families-cope-with-the-coronavirus-disease-2019
Back to School Resources for Parents:
- Resource for caregivers on coping with their own anxieties around school shootings: https://www.nbcnews.com/better/health/school-shootings-how-parents-can-cope-their-own-fears-anxieties-ncna908276
Back to School Resources for Teachers
- Classroom Mental Health — Information on promoting good mental health in the classroom: https://classroommentalhealth.org/
- Tips for Teachers: Ways to Help Students Who Struggle with Emotions or Behaviors: https://mhanational.org/tips-teachers-ways-help-students-who-struggle-emotions-or-behavior
Sesame Street coronavirus resources for families
Stress-relieving Activities:
- 101 Stress Relief Activities for Kids
- DIY Paper Squishies: https://youtu.be/6fOtfrFq1q8
- Additional measures/activities to relieve stress and anxiety:
- Online magazine, Mindful, has good tips on mindfulness and the mind-body connection: https://www.mindful.org/how-to-stop-breathe-listen-and-connect-during-the-covid-outbreak/
Resources for Everyone
Resources for coping with grief during community crises:
- How to provide workplace support when an employee passes away from Just Works: https://justworks.com/blog/how-provide-workplace-support-when-employees-passes-away
- How to cope with the physical effects of grief from Very Well Mind: https://www.verywellmind.com/physical-symptoms-of-grief-4065135
- Loss of a pet from VCA: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/grief-and-bereavement—loss-of-a-pet
- Pet memorials at home from Home Advisor: https://www.homeadvisor.com/r/pet-memorials/
- A relaxation for grief exercise from the Mindfulness and Grief Institute: https://mindfulnessandgrief.com/coping-with-grief-relaxation/
- Coping with depression after a loved one’s death from Health Line: https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/death-loved-one#grief-vs-depression
- Dealing with Grief and Loss
- Knowing what to expect during bereavement and grief from MHA: https://www.mhanational.org/bereavement-and-grief
- Coping with grief and loss from Help Guide: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17OPvzOcA2bgRbCwJi9drzuDryfBbMl6L/view?usp=sharing
Meditations:
- Guided imagery—explanation and how to do it: https://www.verywellmind.com/use-guided-imagery-for-relaxation-3144606
- Free app for various meditations: https://insighttimer.com/
- Sarah Blondin Meditations
- Ho’oponopono (Hawaiian practice of forgiveness)
- I’m sorry
- Please forgive me
- Thank you
- I love you
- https://uplift.love/the-ancient-hawaiian-practice-of-forgiveness/
Spiritual resources:
- Non-denominational, interfaith children’s group: www.spiritualplaydate.com
Exercises:
- Brandon Doles’ “Macho Man” Exercise for Kids
- Part 1: https://www.facebook.com/brandon.doles.5/videos/10158519427131844/
- **will need a Facebook account to open this**
- Part 2: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sgbEY_qmFZckNB4M-AqWtC4QeAzQ-r2y/view?fbclid=IwAR3ttmdcYqoScGfpkPqrnVV9Bx82EeNLl25fxeU_q0yZZNK5QN9B8uA9ElM
- Part 1: https://www.facebook.com/brandon.doles.5/videos/10158519427131844/
- Yoga with Adriene from Austin, TX: https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene
Social service resources:
- Spanish: Supporting children experiencing stress English: Supporting Children Experiencing Stress PDF (Also available in Spanish)
- Coping with climate anxiety https://magazine.ucsf.edu/helping-kids-cope-with-climate-change-anxiety
- Mental Health First Aid: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
FREE virtual mental health services:
- Packet about helping children with worries about war and conflict: includes activities, tips, conversation starters, and action items: :https://education.gov.scot/media/2gijerot/nih320-its-ok-to-worry-about-war-and-conflict-parent-pack.pdf
- Virtual Rainbows Group for children ages 3-18 who have experienced loss: please email Bill Ovca at bzipp@msn.com
- Crisis Text Line — A global not-for-profit organization providing free confidential crisis intervention via SMS message. The organization’s services are available 24 hours a day, every day, throughout the US, UK, and Canada and can be reached by texting HOME to 741741, 85258, or 686868 respectively. Great for teens who prefer texting!
Trauma and community crisis resources:
- Resource for helping children who are worried and/or at risk of being impact by natural disaster: https://www.verywellfamily.com/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-natural-disasters-6745900
- Video explaining natural disaster and providing tips for supporting children: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGY-48OzjyM
- https://www.helpguide.org/articles/ptsd-trauma/helping-children-cope-with-traumatic-stress.htm
- https://www.therapistaid.com/therapy-worksheet/trauma-reactions
- http://cctasi.northwestern.edu/family/parents-caregivers/
- https://childmind.org/article/kids-and-climate-anxiety/
- https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/helping-children-and-adolescents-cope-with-disasters-and-other-traumatic-events/index.shtml
- https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/about/copingwith-stresstips.html#:~:text=Consider%20limiting%20news%20to%20just,Take%20care%20of%20your%20body.
- Children and Trauma: A Guide for Parents and Professionals by Cynthia Monahon (book)
Support Young People by Becoming a Rainbows Facilitator
Becoming a Rainbows Site/Facilitator:
The program is strictly a support group, and not professional counseling or therapy, so virtually any volunteer over 18 with a clean federal background check can be trained to facilitate a group. Facilitators do not have to come from any particular background or have any specific experience. The cost of the online training to become certified to facilitate these support groups is $160 per facilitator. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we are offering a discount on the training to anyone who signs up between now and the time people start returning to work/school. The cost will be $96 and further discounts will be provided for sites that train multiple facilitators.
In addition to the 8-hour training course, the fee includes the facilitator manual with a full, evidence-based curriculum for all 12 weekly meetings for every age level from Pre-K through 12th grade. Each weekly meeting is on a different topic and has objectives to meet, questions to ask, an activity, materials needed for the activity, and a reflection. The meetings are generally 30-60 minutes, depending on age, and recommended group sizes are between 3-5 children per facilitator. There is a multitude of additional resources, materials and support included in the cost of the training as well. Children are provided the knowledge and skills to build resiliency to adversity. What they really appreciate, however, is seeing that there are other children and teens going through similar experiences. This not only helps them feel less alone, but generally it is often easier for children to share their story with peers than it can be to an individual counselor who is typically an unfamiliar adult.
If you would like to proceed, the next step is to submit a Facilitator Application. Applying does not obligate you to become a facilitator, nor to the program. We will contact you with more information to help you determine whether you would like to move forward with Rainbows and help you along the way!
Suggested Reading
Recommended books for pre-K-1st grade
Topic: Self Discovery/ Strength of Self/ Telling One’s Story
What I Like About Me! by Allia Zobel-Nolan and Miki Sakamoto
I Like Myself! By Karen Beaumont and David Catrow
I Like Me! by Nancy Carlson
Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae
Topic: Feelings/Emotions/Using Senses
The Color Monster by Anna Llenas
Glad Monster, Sad Monster by Ed Emberley and Anna Miranda
The Way I Feel by Janan Cain
One of Those Days by Amy Krouse Rosentha
Topic: Change/New Beginnings/Transitions
The Fox and the Star by Coralie Bickford-Smith
Wherever You Go, by Pat Zietlow Miller and Eliza Wheeler
Little Treeby Loren Long
The Water Princess by Susan Verde
Bella’s Fall Coat by Lynn Plourde
Topic: Anger/Feeling Upset
Even Superheroes Have Bad Days by Shelly Becker
When Sophie Gets Angry, Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang
When I Feel Angry by Cornelia Maude Spelman
Llama Llama Mad at Mama by Anna Dewdney
Happy Hippo, Angry Duck by Sandra Boynton
Sally Simon Simmons’ Super Frustrating Day by Abbie Schiller
Topic: Discovering Peace/Relieving Stress or Anxiety
The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper
Chu’s First Day of School by Neil Gaiman
Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes
Owen by Kevin Henkes
Bunny Bungalow by Cynthia Rylant
The Next Place by Warren Hansen
The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson
Topic: Giving/Helping Others/Being Kind
The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld
How Full Is Your Bucket? By Tom Rath
Becoming a Good Creature by Sy Montgomery and Rebecca Greene
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
Pass It On by Sophy Henn
Recommended books for kids 1st-4th grade
Topic: Self Discovery/Strength of Self/Telling One’s Story
Remarkably You by Pat Zeitlow Miller
I’m Gonna Like Me by Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds
We’re Different, We’re the Same by Sesame Street
Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes
Topic: Feelings/Emotions/Using Senses
The Way I Feelby Janan Cain
Glad Monster, Sad Monster by Ed Emberley and Anna Miranda
The Unbudgeable Curmudgeon by Matthew Burgess
One of Those Days by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
The Color Monster by Anna Llenas
Topic: Change/New Beginnings/Transitions
Goodbye Friend, Hello Friend by Cori Doerrfeld
Little Home Bird by Jo Empson
Little Tree by Loren Long
The Water Princess by Susan Verde
Bella’s Fall Coat by Lynn Plourde
Topic: Anger/Feeling Upset
Mad Isn’t Bad by Michaelene Mundy
Even Superheroes Have Bad Days by Shelly Becker
When Sophie Gets Angry, Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang
When I Feel Angry by Cornelia Maude Spelman
Topic: Endings/New Beginnings/Adjusting to Change
The Old Woman Who Named Things by Cynthia Rylant
Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin
Growing Season by Maryann Cocca-Leffler
There by Mary-Louise Fitzpatrick
The Pink Refrigerator by Tim Egan
If I Never Forever Endeavor by Holly Meade
Topic: Discovering Peace/Relieving Stress or Anxiety
Peace by Wendy Anderson Halperin
Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes
Owen by Kevin Henkes
What Does Peace Feel Like? by Vladimir Radunsky
The Next Place by Warren Hansen
Topic: Giving/Helping Others/Being Kind
Pass It On by Sophy Henn
How Full Is Your Bucket? by Tom Rath
Becoming a Good Creature by Sy Montgomery and Rebecca Greene
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
What Is Given From the Heart by Patricia C. McKissack
Listening With My Heart by Gabi Garcia
Categories
Find More Resources
We provide resources for all forms of grief.
Death
Of all the children in America, around 15% will experience the death of a family member or sibling. Even though death is ultimately a fact of life, it can be hard for anyone to experience this kind of loss, let alone a child.
Separation/Divorce
There are about 1.25 million divorces per year in the United States. Of all U.S. children, 50% will witness the breakup of their parents’ marriage, and almost 50% of those children will also see the breakup of a parent’s second marriage.
Incarceration
One in 28 children will have a parent become incarcerated before their 18th birthday. Approximately half of children with incarcerated parents are younger than 10 years old.
Deportation
When a parent, caregiver or sibling is deported, or even when there is the threat of deportation, the whole family suffers.
Military Deployment
Parental deployment is a form of loss that 3% of American children experience. This can be a very difficult adjustment for children, who may not be able to see or speak to that parent regularly, and who also may experience a great deal of stress when worried about his or her parent or guardian’s safety.
Significant Illness
A child coping with the significant illness of a parent, caregiver or sibling can face many challenges.
Community Crisis
Community crises, such as natural disasters, pandemics or political unrest, cause confusing emotions for children. Rainbows’ programs can help children navigate difficult times and provide a sense of stability.
Find A Support Group
Rainbows’ programs help children grieving the loss
of a parent or guardian due to death, divorce/separation,
deployment, deportation, incarceration or trauma.
