Skip To Main Content

GNPS Mental Health & Wellness Resource Guide

Table of Contents

 

Adjusting to New Routines and Concerns about COVID-19

  • Talking with Kids about COVID-19
  • Strategies for Remote Learning

Emotional Support

  • Supporting Children’s Mental Health During the Return to School
  • Building Resilience in Kids and Teens
  • Empowering Your Child
  • Social-Emotional Learning
  • General Coping Skills - Elementary/Secondary
  • Strategies for Anger
  • Strategies for Anxiety
  • Coping with Family Illness/Loss
  • Care for the Caregiver- Self Care Resources for Parents and Guardians
  • Psychiatric Emergency Crisis Resources

Additional Community Resources

  • Medical and Basic Needs
  • Food Resources
  • NY State Financial Assistance and Housing Information

 

Adjusting to New Routines and Concerns about COVID-19

 

Talking with Kids about COVID-19

Strategies for Remote Learning 

  • This parent guide from the NYU Child Study Center explains how to set your child up for success at home while schools are closed. 
  • This slideshow from Parents.com describes how to set up an effective and organized workspace for your child in your home. 
  • Support your child with transitions. In this article from the Child Mind Institute, learn strategies to help your child shift gears and move through activities throughout the day while staying calm and in control. 
  • This article from the Child Mind Institute describes ways to facilitate your child’s homework completion. These strategies can be generalized to setting up a successful remote learning situation. Tools described include structuring a work space, developing a schedule, and setting up incentive systems if needed. 
  • Learn how to use praise and rewards wisely to support your child’s behavior at home with this handout from the National Association of School Psychologists.
  • Learning from home can be a challenge for children with attention problems and hyperactive/impulsive behaviors. This Washington Post article describes how to structure learning at home for children and adolescents with ADHD. You can find more resources from CHADD.org including tips for setting up ADHD-friendly work environments, creating routines and structure, and promoting positive behaviors. 
  • A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) provides a user friendly guide for parents with visuals to describe several strategies that you can use to help your child learn successfully at home. 

 

Emotional Support

 

Supporting children’s mental health during the return to school

 

Building Resilience in Kids & Teens 

 

Empowering Your Child

 

Social-Emotional Learning

 

General Coping Skills - Elementary/Secondary

Elementary Coping Skills

Secondary Coping Skills

 

Strategies for Anger

  • Find healthy ways to deal with angry feelings.  When children have trouble taming their tempers, here are five strategies you can use to teach anger management skills.
    https://www.verywellfamily.com/ways-to-teach-your-child-anger-management-skills-1095010
  • This article from the Child Mind Institute describes strategies to help your child calm down and avoid explosive behavior. 
  • Angry Octopus is a story that teaches children how to use progressive muscle relaxation and breathing techniques to calm down, lower stress, and control anger. There is an accompanying coloring book called Angry Octopus Color Me Happy, Color Me Calm that can be purchased.
  • What to Do When Your Temper Flares: A Kid's Guide to Overcoming Problems with Anger (What-to-Do Guides for Kids). This workbook guides children and their parents through the cognitive-behavioral techniques used to treat problems with anger. Engaging examples, lively illustrations, and step-by-step instructions teach children a set of "anger dousing" methods aimed at cooling angry thoughts and controlling angry actions, resulting in calmer, more effective kids. This interactive self-help book is the complete resource for educating, motivating, and empowering children to work toward change. Ages 6 – 12. 
  • What to Do When You Grumble Too Much (What-to-Do Guides for Kids) guides children and their parents through the cognitive-behavioral techniques used to treat negative thinking. Lively metaphors and illustrations help kids see life's hurdles in a new way, while drawing and writing activities help them master skills to get over those hurdles. Step-by-step instructions point the way toward becoming happier, more positive kids. This interactive self-help book is the complete resource for educating, motivating, and empowering children to work toward change. Ages 6 – 12

Anger Management for Teens/High School Students (mature middle school students)

  • Teenagers who learn how to manage their anger are more likely to be successful in school, in relationships, and in their careers.  Here are eight ways to teach teens anger management skills.
    https://www.verywellfamily.com/teach-teens-anger-management-skills-2609114 
  • This short video was made in the UK.  It features older teens/young adults who discuss their anger.  Specifically, (1) What happened the last time you were angry, (2) What anger feels like for them, and (3) how they managed their anger.  The video is short and engaging -- and provides good suggestions for managing anger/putting disappointing or frustrating experiences into perspective. 
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2O5eK7YMzE 
  • Aspiro adventure is a wilderness tour company for teens; however, if you scroll down on the family resources tab to Blogs and then to “angry-teens” there are many resources for understanding anger in teens and how to best respond to anger in teens.  The Ted Talks under the header, “8 Ways Parents Can Help Their Angry Teen” are excellent. 
    https://aspiroadventure.com › blog › angry-teen

 

Strategies for Anxiety

 

Coping with Family Illness/Loss 

 

Care for the Caregiver: Self-Care Resources for Parents/Guardians

 

Psychiatric Emergency Crisis Resources 
**In the event of a serious psychiatric emergency, call 911.**

 

  • New York State Mental Health Hotline: 1-844-863-9314
    This new hotline was established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and is available to New Yorkers who need it. Over 6,000 mental health professionals have volunteered their time. The hotline offers FREE emotional support, consultation and referrals.  Many languages are available.  People should ask for the language they need when they call.

  • SAMSHA Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746
    The SAMSHA Disaster Distress Helpline is staffed by trained counselors from a network of crisis call centers located across the United States. These counselors provide crisis counseling for people in emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster (such as an infectious disease outbreak), tips for healthy coping, and referrals to local crisis centers for additional follow-up care and support (if needed). Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.​ Here is a link to the website if you would like to get more information about this supportive service: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline

  • Cohen’s Children’s Medical Center Behavioral Health Urgent Care: (718) 470-3148 
    269-01 76th Avenue, Lobby Level New Hyde Park, NY 11040.
    Operational Hours are Monday-Friday from 9am-2:30pm
    Parents are strongly encouraged to call ahead. Patients may be seen for a Telehealth psychiatric screening rather than an emergency room visit in order to prevent the amount of visitors to the hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. For AFTER HOURS Psychiatric Emergencies at Cohen’s Children’s Medical Center, the Pediatric Emergency Room at Cohen’s Children’s Medical Center continues to be operational 24/7. Parents or providers are encouraged to call ahead at (718) 470-7640. 

  • Nassau County Mobile Crisis Team: (516) 572-6419
    The Mobile Crisis team consists of licensed professional social workers and nurses who are specially trained to help individuals, and their families, with mental health problems. If you or a family member is experiencing a mental health crisis, calling the Team is an alternative to calling the police or driving to a psychiatric emergency room. Social workers and nurses travel to homes, schools, work-sites and other locations in Nassau County. The Team responds the same day and provides supportive crisis intervention for children and adults who are experiencing an emotional disturbance, interpersonal crisis or psychiatric emergency. 

  • Domestic Violence Help Hotlines - ****If you need help now, here are some places you can call: For help with conflicts at home, click here

  • Zucker Hillside Hospital, ADULT Behavioral Health Crisis Center, 75-59 263rd St, Queens, NY 11004. (718) 470-8300
    Services include care coordination, crisis psychotherapy, diagnostic evaluations, medication management, and referrals and connection to follow-up care. Adults in crisis are encouraged to call ahead to receive preliminary screening and instructions due to the effort to limit the volume of patients entering the hospital during the COVID-19 outbreak.

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-TALK(8255)
    The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  

  • Lifeline Chat is an online service of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, connecting individuals with counselors for emotional support and other services via web chat 24/7. https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/

  • Partnership for Drug Free Kids’ Parent Help Line: 1-855-378-4373  (operating at full capacity during COVID-19) 
    DrugFree.org - click on “get help and support”
    Hours: M-F 9 am - 12 am, Sat-Sun 12 pm- 5pm
    They offer phone consultation and referrals, online facilitated support groups for parents, and parent coaching.

 

Additional Community Resources

 

Medical and Basic Needs
**In the event of a serious medical emergency, call 911.**

Please contact pupil personnel staff at each school for help, information, or referrals beyond what is listed here. (Español/ 中文)

Pediatric Medical Resources - Easily accessible for those without a local primary pediatrician.

  • PM Pediatrics at 1457 Northern Blvd. in Manhasset ​is currently offering in-person appointments (with enhanced patient safety measures in place).  Video telemedicine appointments are also available through the PM Pediatrics Anywhere App.  COVID testing is available at all locations.
    Please call (516) 520-5437 or go to https://pmpediatrics.com for more information.  Hours of operation are 12pm- 10 pm daily.
  • If you suspect you may have COVID-19, you can find information about testing, as well as other helpful links here.

 

Food Resources

  • Find the most up-to-date information on local food banks near you: www.islandharvest.org

  • St. Aloysius Church- Interfaith Food Pantry
    592 Middle Neck Road, Great Neck, NY 11023
    516-829-8343 
    Every other Saturday, 8-10:30 (9:00 for families who are coming as needed and have not registered with Bertha in advance). According to the current schedule, food will be given out on 9/5, 9/19, 10/3, 10/17, 10/31, 11/14 and every other Saturday following. 
    • Families who know they will be picking up food are asked to email Bertha and register beforehand if possible. (berthaclaraus@hotmail.com). She can then better prepare for the number of families who will be needing food. All information will be kept confidential.  Families who are registered come at 8:00 a.m. 
    • Unregistered families coming to the pantry because of their current situation should come at 9:00.  Doors will close at 10:30 AM.  When you arrive, Bertha will give you a number.  You will then be asked for your Name, Address, and Names/Ages of People in your family.
    • Please wear masks and keep social distance. 

  • Great Neck Kosher Food Pantry
    130 Steamboat Road, Great Neck NY 11023
    (516) 400-3026, Melody Aziz
    First and Third Tuesday of each month, 9-11 a.m., and by appointment
    • Families who do not keep Kosher are encouraged to use the other local food resources rather than visiting the kosher pantry if possible.
    • All visitors will be served on a one-time basis.  To continue after the first visit, families will be asked to fill out a screening form including financial information.  

  • Shelter Rock Church Food Pantry 
    65 High Street, Manhasset, NY 11030 (Directions) 
    631-948-6221
    Tuesday 3pm-6pm
    The door is to the left of the main door.  Please bring ID or a piece of mail with your name.

  • G.N.P.S. Meal Service Information- FULL REMOTE, ALTERNATE A/B, PRE K-12:
    Governor Cuomo’s regulations require us to have access to eligible and compliant meals to all students using the full remote program or in school on alternate days. We have divided the district into two zones, North and South. Students who attend North High, North Middle, Baker, JFK and Saddle Rock will have access to meals at the kitchen entrance at the rear of North Middle School from 11AM-1PM Monday through Friday. Students who attend South High, South Middle, Lakeville and Parkville will have access to meals at the kitchen entrance at the rear of South Middle/South High kitchen entrance (just off the Phipps Administration building) from 11AM-1PM Monday through Friday. 

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
    SNAP provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of families in need so they can purchase healthy food and move towards self-sufficiency: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program

 

NY State Financial Assistance and Housing Information

Financial Assistance

  • For a comprehensive list of benefits through NY State for households facing financial hardship, visit: https://mybenefits.ny.gov/screening/ScreeningWelcome_input.nysmybw
  • NY State Residents who have experienced unemployment as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic can apply for extended unemployment benefits here: https://www.labor.ny.gov/home/
    Full-time and part-time workers, independent contractors and farmers are eligible. Whether you qualify – and how much you are allocated– depends on how much you worked during the past 15 months.

Housing Information

  • Eviction laws and executive orders have been changing frequently, as the pandemic continues.  For information about policies regarding eviction, and your rights, click here (aquí para español).
  • Mortgages and Foreclosures. Foreclosure actions continue to be on hold until September 20th in New York State.  For more information on mortgages and foreclosures, click here.
  • For assistance with concerns about eviction or foreclosure, families can contact The Nassau Suffolk Law Center.  They provide free consultation and legal representation for people with low income or disabilities ((516) 292‐8100.  (se habla español)
  • PSEG of Long Island has agreed to suspend shutting off power and fuel during the pandemic. Contact PSEG at 1-800-490-0025 or click here for the most updated information.
  • The HEAP Program through NY State helps low-income residents pay the cost of heating their homes. If you are eligible, you may receive one regular HEAP benefit per program year and could also be eligible for emergency HEAP benefits if you are in danger of running out of fuel or having your utility service shut off: https://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/