COVID-19 Mental Health Resources

We know that families are coping with a number of stressors related to COVID-19, including fears about the health and safety of loved ones, worries about how your children are perceiving and responding to the crisis, and anxiety about your student's education. 

 

This page includes information about talking to your students about COVID-19 as well as links to mental health resources and supports.  We will be adding to this page frequently, so please check back often.

Care Solace

Beginning in April 2020, AUSD began partnering with Care Solace,  a free online resource with a live 24/7 staffing meant to assist individuals in finding local mental health related programs and counseling services. 

Care Solace's web-based system is available in more than a dozen languages and provides a tool for school families to connect with community-based mental healthcare resources and providers. The proprietary care navigation system taps into a vast database of mental healthcare resources to find carefully vetted local therapists and programs in minutes.

Families may access Care Solace services 24/7 in two ways:

1. Call (888) 515-0595 or email weserve@caresolace.org to speak with someone from the Care Concierge team.

•  Support is available 24/7 in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Vietnamese, and Cantonese.

2. Visit your custom district link (www.caresolace.com/alamedafamilies):

• Answer ten simple questions and you will receive a call back from a Care Concierge within one hour. Care Concierges speak English, Spanish, Mandarin, Vietnamese, and Cantonese and will assist you in finding a resource. They will make phone calls on your behalf to save you precious time and will help you navigate who accepts your insurance. 
• Care Solace takes into account all types of private insurance including Medi-Cal, Medicaid, and Medicare and those that have no insurance. The provider will also be specific to age, gender, zip code and any special requests.

For more information, please see our AUSD brochure about the Care Solace program.

 

Alameda Family Services

This local agency provides free counseling and other supports to children, teens, and families. Alameda Family Services also provides School-Based Health Centers, staffed with California Board Registered mental health professionals and MFT and MSW trainees who provide brief counseling with a focus on assessment, stabilization, and skill building.  

All AUSD employees have access to the Magellan Employee Assistance Program, which offers free emotional, legal, and financial counseling. Please see AUSD's Employee Assistance Program page for more information. 

Mindful Littles (resources on mindfulness and meditation for students)

What AHS Students Have Learned from the Pandemic (video created by student interns with the AHS School-Based Health Center)

California Parent & Youth Helpline: 1-855-4APARENT (855-427-2736)

Circle of Care (bereavement resources)

This comprehensive web page includes links to resources for crisis support, suicide prevention, and issues relating to domestic, elder, and child abuse.

 

Resources for Emotional Support and Well-Being

• National Association of School Psychologists: "Helping Children Cope with Change Resulting from COVID-19"
• NPR: "What Kids Want to Know about the Coronavirus"
• The Cut: "Now Is the Perfect Time to Lower the Parenting Bar"
• New York Times: "How to Talk to Kids About Coronavirus"
• The Together Pandemic Parent: "Seven Strategies to Plan, Prioritize,and...Plan!?"
• Family Paths: "Parenting Stress Helpline"
• California Immigrant Policy Center: COVID-19 Resource Guide for Immigrants
• Greater Good Science Center: "Three Ways to Help Your Student During Distance Learning"