- Detroit Public Schools Community District
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Mental Health Support
Mental Health Support Line
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During the district closure, a Mental Health Support Line has been added as a service for students and families. This support is staffed by School Social Workers, trained in addressing trauma, grief, and resource determination. School Social Workers will be available to provide online counseling to students and parents. In addition to online counseling, students and families will be able to receive referrals for additional services. This hotline may be reached as an option from the Homework Hotline by calling 1-833-466-3978 during operating hours.
For general questions concerning academic packets, distance learning, etc., please direct parents and families to the Help Desk at 313-240-4377.
Hours of Operation
Monday – Thursday
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Contact Information
For additional questions during closure, please contact Deputy Superintendent Iranetta Wright at iranetta.wright@detroitk12.org.
Mental Health Screener
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In partnership with the Transforming Research into Action to Improve the Lives of Students, TRAILS, from the University of Michigan, in fall 2019, the District tested 9,179 students, 7,096 high school students, and 2,083 8th graders. While student results were anonymous, the data was reviewed and used to identify essential elements for the Social-Emotional Practices and Mental Health Wellness Protocol.
As a part of this year’s initiative, 19,064 students were provided the universal screener during the assessment window. From this data, school counselors and school social workers will identify students for tiered interventions and support, based on a tiered model. Assessed students will be assigned based on the following:
Tier I – Continued participation and engagement with whole school initiatives that promote mental health. This may include Expect Respect, Sanford-Harmony and Overcoming Obstacles character development, and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) activities.
Tier II – Small group interventions designed to address student concerns. As the curriculum recommended by TRAILS follows the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) model, participating students will require parental permission.
Tier III – Referral for more intensive mental health services and supports. One-on-One check-in by a school counselor, school social worker, or other staff.
For more information about Trails, please click here.
Mental Health Resources
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Mental Health Resources
Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network
313- 833-2500; Helpline: 800-241-4949; TTY: 800-603-1044
Southwest Counseling Solutions
313-841-8900
The Guidance Center (Adult and Children)
313-876-4000
Community Resources
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Community Resources
Wayne County Health Department - Department of Public Health
734-727-7101
COVID-19 Hotline
734-287-7870
City of Detroit - Detroit Health Department
313-876-4000
DWSDs Water Restart Plan: Wayne Metro
Detroit resident living without water in your home or have received a notice of service interruption call.
313-386-9727
Gleaners
Gleaners to provide alternative sites where families can get groceries.
866-453-2637
DTE Assistance
800-477-4747
Are You Ok, How Can We Help?
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Are You Ok, How Can We Help? Tuesday Tips
June 15, 2021
A Parent’s Guide to Social-Emotional Learning - A curated list of articles and videos for parents about fostering skills like kindness, empathy, resilience, perseverance, and focus in children.
Learn more at: A Parent’s Guide to Social-Emotional Learning
June 8, 2021
Families are critical partners in developing the social and emotional skills of their children. Continue practicing mindfulness and fostering activities that promote social emotional learning this summer.
Learn more at: SEL Starts at Home: Getting Families Involved This Summer
May 25, 2021
Social Emotional Learning Activities to do at Home
- Reset your body!
Certain practices, such as breathing exercises or stretching routines, can help children increase self-awareness and self-management of their emotional responses. Try the SEL app, Wisdom : The World of Emotions for an Augmented Reality (AR) breathing exercise or physical grounding game for kids to follow along.
Learn more at: 5 Easy Social Emotional Learning Activities For Kids To Do At Home
May 18, 2021
Social Emotional Learning Activities to do at Home
- Make a schedule or list of to-do’s
Creating and maintaining a daily schedule helps children stay structured. It allows children to rely on a sense of predictability and safety. Being involved in this process allows children to practice responsible decision making and self-management.
Learn more at: 5 Easy Social Emotional Learning Activities For Kids To Do At Home
May 11, 2021
Social Emotional Learning Activities to do at Home
- Write a letter or draw a picture for a loved one
- This practice can help build children’s relationship skills and social awareness, even if they are working alone.
Learn more at: 5 Easy Social Emotional Learning Activities For Kids To Do At Home
May 4, 2021
Social Emotional Learning Activities to do at Home! Keep a Gratitude Journal!
- Keeping a gratitude journal helps children increase their self-awareness and self-management
- This daily time to express gratitude allows children to reflect on their lives and focus on positive aspects.
Learn more at: 5 Easy Social Emotional Learning Activities For Kids To Do At Home
April 27, 2021
What are the elements of Social Emotional Learning?
- Self-awareness
- Self-management
- Social Awareness
- Relationship Skills
- Responsible Decision Making
Learn more at: 5 Easy Social Emotional Learning Activities For Kids To Do At Home
April 20, 2021
An Appreciation Practice for Children - https://www.mindful.org/mindfulness-for-kids/#meditation
By Susan Kaiser Greenland
Leading the game:
- Ask your child: “Do you ever feel disappointed by something or someone?”
- Ask: “How did that make you feel?”
Acknowledge their feelings and, if appropriate, talk about them. - Say something like: “I bet even when you’re feeling disappointed there are good things happening in your life, too. Let’s name three good things together.”
Tips for naming three good things:
- Remind your child that the point of this game isn’tto pretend they’re not upset when they feel upset. It’s to remember that they can feel two things at once: they can feel grateful for good things while feeling sad, hurt, or disappointed by challenges.
- If children or teens have trouble thinking of three good things on their own, brainstorm and help them discover some.
- When kids understand that this game is not about sweeping their feelings under the rug, the phrase “three good things” can become a playful and humorous response to the minor gripes that show up in family life.
- Parents can encourage kids to remind them to name Three Good Things when they’re stuck on a trivial disappointment or minor annoyance, too.
To develop a habit of thankfulness, play Three Good Things around the dinner table, before bedtime, and at other times when the family is together.
April 13, 2021
We “practice” mindfulness so we can learn how to recognize when our minds are doing their normal everyday acrobatics, and maybe take a pause from that for just a little while so we can choose what we’d like to focus on. https://www.mindful.org/how-to-meditate/
April 6, 2021
A Basic Meditation for Beginners - https://www.mindful.org/how-to-meditate/
- Get comfortable and prepare to sit still for a few minutes.After you stop reading this, you’re going to simply focus on your own natural inhaling and exhaling of breath.
- Focus on your breath.Where do you feel your breath most? In your belly? In your nose? Try to keep your attention on your inhale and exhale.
- Follow your breath for two minutes. Take a deep inhale, expanding your belly, and then exhale slowly, elongating the out-breath as your belly contracts.
March 23, 2021
In mindfulness practice, we are learning how to return to, and remain in, the present moment—to anchor ourselves in the here and now on purpose, without judgment. https://www.mindful.org/how-to-meditate/
March 16, 2021
WHY LEARN TO MEDITATE? Here are five reasons to meditate: 1: Understand your pain, 2: Lower your stress, 3: Connect better, 4: Improve focus, 5: Reduce brain chatter. https://www.mindful.org/how-to-meditate/
March 9, 2021
Looking for mindfulness practices for student to do at home? Visit - https://www.mindful.org/mindfulness-for-kids/#meditation
March 2, 2021
Make a glitter jar to encourage children to tune into their senses. For guidance on creating a jar at home visit - https://www.mindful.org/how-to-create-a-glitter-jar-for-kids/
February 23, 2021
Community Care Services provides outpatient mental health treatment for children, teens and adults through Telehealth. You may visit comcareserv.org/ or call 313-389-7500 to schedule an appointment.
February 9, 2021
Create a routine and schedule at home. Read books with your child out loud and choose topics you both will enjoy. Take time for active play inside and outside (if the weather is decent). Also, keep an eye on media time from playing video games, watching YouTube videos, and monitoring social media activity. For great tips for the young parent, visit https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/schools-closed-how-to-make-a-new-home-routine
February 2, 2021
Be sure to work self-care during COVID-19 into your daily routine: Recognize and Validate Grief, Stay in the Present, Separate Out What You Can and Cannot Control, Notice and Manage your Worried Thoughts, Pay Attention to Joy, Find the Right Balance of Structure and Flexibility, Get Active, and Invest in Social Connectedness. More info at https://storage.trailstowellness.org/trails-2/covid-19-resources/self-care-during-covid-19-for-everyone.pdf
January 25, 2021
Need help talking to your kids about COVID-19? Emphasize simple things your family can do to be “germ busters” — for all types of germs that are out there! More info at https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-coronavirus
January 19, 2021
Need help talking to your kids about COVID-19? First, share age-appropriate facts and correct misinformation. Second, reassure them that they are safe, which is the most important message kids can hear from parents. More info at https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-coronavirus
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Caring for one’s emotional and mental health is vital to their overall well-being. As a district, we are committed to supporting students, families, and staff through these challenging times. To this end, we have launched the “Are You OK?” Health and Wellness campaign.
As part of this commitment, the district will be launching several actions focused on social-emotional learning tools and strategies, as well as community mental health resources and recommendations. This campaign will focus on sharing information that can be used both at home and at school.
The ”Are You OK?” campaign includes:
- Home Visits to check on students and make certain they “Are OK”
- Small group counseling sessions for students exhibiting the need for additional support
- Mental Health referrals for students and families
- Monthly wellness tips shared through media platforms
- Parent Academy sessions
- Self-Care sessions for teachers and staff
- Fun Friday sessions for staff covering a variety of interests
Please contact your child’s school counselor for more information.
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Full Resource Guide
Full Resource Guide
Mental Health and Community Resources for Families - Final 2.pdf 523.83 KB (Last Modified on December 18, 2020)