Helping Children and Families Cope with the COVID-19 Crisis

Today marks the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Month. As the coronavirus outbreak continues, children and families feel the impact in all areas of their lives — including their mental health.

The stressors are many. Stay-at-home orders limit contact with extended family, friends and support networks. Closed schools disrupt a child’s learning and disconnect them from trusted adults, food programs and other social-emotional supports. Parents and caregivers face financial tensions as unemployment rates reach historic highs. Families, beset by increased worries, are at their breaking points.

Children’s National aims to build resiliency, promote healing and mitigate the effects of toxic stress on children and families as they face this unprecedented public health crisis. We know that the impact of early adversity is far-reaching across the lifespan. We are drawing upon our world-class, innovative community-based programs to respond to this crisis. Our goal is to ensure that vulnerable children and families have access to the supports they need now and those they will need in the future even as COVID-19 pressures begin to ease. 

The support of our community is critical to the success of mental health programs and research initiatives that benefit children. Contact Cheryl Balchunas at [email protected] to learn how you can support these important mental health efforts.