Guidance Department

Make the Most of Middle School

Your WMS Counselors

We are here to help you make the most of middle school by providing guidance, support, and encouragement.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram at WMSCaneCounselors!

COVID-19 Mental Health Resources for Families

As you respond to the current COVID-19 crisis, it’s important to take care of your mental health as a parent and as a student. Here are some resource links that you might find helpful. (see disclaimer)

Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus (childmind.org)

Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource - National Assoc. of School Psychologists, nasponline.org)

Coronavirus Resources - American School Counselor Association, schoolcounselor.org (many helpful links)

Helping Kids with Anxiety: Strategies to Help Anxious Children -  psycom.net

Corona Virus Resources- Ohio Department of Health 

Resources for Families During the Coronavirus Pandemic- Common Sense Media

How to Help Kids with Anxiety: 6 Ways to Help Children Relax - Sensacalm blog article

The Ohio Dept of Health has a COVID-19 Hotline: If you have questions regarding  Coronavirus/COVID-19 please call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634) 

Resources for Help and Hope

You are not alone and help is just a phone call/text away. Whether you are a student, parent, caregiver, or community member, there is hope for recovery and these agencies can help.

**Mobile Crisis Team and Consultation (877-695-6333)
Mobile Response & Stabilization Services (MRSS) is a comprehensive program available to youth ages 0 to 21 and their families. MRSS staff meet with youth and families in person wherever they are to provide intensive services to address emotional and/or behavioral issues that require intervention. Families can stay with MRSS for up to 60 days. For more information visit solutionsccrc.org

Trevor Project Lifeline (866-488-7386)
Provides 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth.

Apps

If you are looking for apps to help calm anxiety and reduce stress during the crisis, here are a few that you might review*.  Please note that many apps will have ads, in-app purchasing, and/or will offer a paid subscription. Students, make sure to always check with your parents before downloading and using an app. (see Link Disclaimer)

• Calm 
• HeadSpace
• Smiling Mind

Parents can visit commonsensemedia.org to read reviews on popular apps, movies, tv shows, games, and books that appeal to kids of all ages.

Activities

If you're looking for fun things to do as a family during the extended school break, here are some websites and articles that have some great suggestions. (see Link Disclaimer)

Family Activities to Try During Closures - Ohio Dept. of Health, coronavirus.ohio.gov, 

7 Ways to Stay Physically Active When You're Stuck at Home - Atlanta Journal-Constitution, ajc.com, 3/12/20

Famous Museums Offer Virtual Tours You Can Take on Your Couch - Travel + Leisure, travelandleisure.com, 3/12/20

Ways to Communicate with Your Teen

Here are some tips for communicating with your teen:

• Make yourself available for talks and try to have them everyday.
• Offer praise when deserved and remember to express your love. Even if they act like they don't hear you, they do.
• Use good eye contact, it shows them that you have time for them and want to hear what they have to say.
• Be brief. Don't feel you have to know all the answers. It's OK to say, "I don't know, let's find out together."

Bullying

Bullying means repeatedly picking on or hurting another person:

• Physically - hitting, tripping, kicking, etc
• Verbally - name-calling, making threats, spreading rumors, etc
• Emotionally - purposefully excluding someone, manipulating friendships, etc

Students, if YOU are being bullied:

• Stay calm and realize there are people that can help.
• Reach out to the nearest teacher, counselor, adult, or family member.

If your child is being bullied you can help by:

• Staying calm and talking to your child and the school.
• Reassure your child that you and the school will help them.
• Ask questions - Do they know why they are being bullied? Is there something they can do to help?
• Think of peaceful solutions together - this will help them to gain confidence.