Resources for Families and Children Facing Tragic Events

Racial Stress – Racism – Hate Crimes

Helpful Resources to Address the Mass Shooting in Uvalde, Texas
Many thanks to Michelle Zabel, MSS, Assistant Dean, and Director, The Institute for Innovation and Implementation, for compiling this list of resources in response to the horrific mass shooting in Texas earlier this week.

Helping Young People Cope With Mental Health Challenges
Vox Media’s NowThis is linking arms with Ken Burns and PBS to share an upcoming documentary titled “Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness.” Scenes from the forthcoming film will be shared across NowThis social platforms throughout Mental Health Awareness Month in May. NowThis will host a live TikTok conversation about the topic, as well. The goal, Burns said, is “to get this material out to young people around the country.” The film itself will debut at the end of June on PBS.

Uplift by Youth Era: Teaching Youth Peer Support Skills
More than 500 youth signed up for the most recent Uplift event! Studied by the University of Oxford and co-designed with young adults, Uplift by Youth Era is the future of peer support. Empower a young person in your life to be who they need, and apply to join the next Uplift training in June!

Randolph “Randy” Muck September 14, 1955 to April 21, 2021 in Memoriam
On the first anniversary of his death, several of us who knew and worked with Randy write this tribute to remember and honor his impact on so many people. Randy provided much-needed leadership from within the federal government to develop and disseminate evidence-based substance use treatments designed for adolescents and their families. He was successful because he had a rare ability to connect with all the groups important to improving adolescent treatment: provider organizations, schools, juvenile justice, counselors, federal agency decision-makers, researchers, private foundations, and most importantly—adolescents and their families. He saw how these groups could align their different interests and collaborate. This, in turn, helped youth, families, and systems of care in ways that continue to have an impact.

HHS Awards Nearly $25 Million to Expand Access to School-Based Health Services
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), recently announced nearly $25 million will be made available to improve and strengthen access to school-based health services in communities across the country. Awards will support local partnerships between schools and health centers to provide children and youth with the comprehensive physical and mental health care they need.

Investing in Prevention Makes Good Financial Sense
Primary prevention—including screening and intervention before negative health outcomes occur—is relatively inexpensive. The higher-risk behaviors it is designed to reduce are so costly to the healthcare system that it is staggeringly wasteful not to make sure that screening and treatment referrals are readily implemented and faithfully reimbursed by insurers and that interventions are convenient for parents and their children.

PAX Good Behavior Game
Speaking of prevention…
The PAX Good Behavior Game is an evidence-based universal preventive intervention applied by teachers in the classroom. This evidence-based practice consists of research-based strategies with origins in behavioral science, neuroscience, and cultural wisdom that operate together to improve children’s self-regulation. Teachers implement these strategies as part of their daily routines in carrying out tasks such as getting students’ attention, selecting students for tasks, transitioning from one task to the next, working as part of a team, limiting problematic behavior, and reinforcing pro-social behavior.

HHS Launches New Maternal Mental Health Hotline
The Maternal Mental Health Hotline is a new, confidential, toll-free hotline for expecting and new moms experiencing mental health challenges. Those who contact the hotline can receive a range of support, including brief interventions from trained culturally and trauma-informed counselors and referrals to both community-based and telehealth providers as needed. Callers also will receive evidence-based information and referrals to support groups and other community resources.

Six Things You Need To Know About Music and Health
A growing body of research suggests that listening to or performing music affects the brain in ways that may help promote health and manage disease symptoms. More justification for the plethora of music videos posted in Friday Update!

Know Your Rights: Parity for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Benefits
This brochure gives an overview of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. It lists some common limits placed on mental health and substance use disorder benefits and services.

Going Digital: Behavioral Health Tech
Aaahhhh!!! Less than 20 days!!! Well? Have you registered for the 2022 Going Digital: Behavioral Health Tech summit on June 8-9th yet? Can’t make it? Wondering if you can access all of the sessions with our hundreds of speakers after June 8-9th? YES, but ONLY if you register in advance. So, you should probably get on that.

Building a More Equitable Juvenile Justice System for Everyone
Racial inequities regarding the policing of children, and the subsequent disparities in their treatment within the juvenile justice system, have been problems in this country for far too long. It is encouraging that many states and counties are not only recognizing these issues but are taking action. The CSG Justice Center is committed to providing research-driven, data-informed solutions to our partners to continue building safer and stronger communities for everyone, especially our youth.

Disruptions to School and Home Life Among High School Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic — Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey, United States, January–June 2021
Young people have experienced disruptions to school and home life since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020. From January to June 2021, CDC conducted the Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey (ABES), an online survey of a probability-based, nationally representative sample of U.S. public- and private-school students in grades 9–12. ABES data were used to estimate the prevalence of disruptions and adverse experiences during the pandemic, including parental and personal job loss, homelessness, hunger, emotional or physical abuse by a parent or other adult at home, receipt of telemedicine, and difficulty completing schoolwork. Prevalence estimates are presented for all students by sex, race and ethnicity, grade, sexual identity, and difficulty completing schoolwork.

CDC Survey Finds the Pandemic Had a Big Impact on Teens’ Mental Health
According to a survey published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than four in 10 teens report feeling “persistently sad or hopeless” during the COVID-19 pandemic. Girls were twice as likely to experience mental health troubles compared to boys. And LGBTQ students were hit the hardest. The CDC’s findings were gathered from online surveys from a sample of 7,700 US students during the first six months of 2021.

New Initiative to Define Policy Recommendations for Embedding Equity into 988
The Kennedy-Satcher Center for Mental Health Equity & Beacon Health Options are joining forces to create and develop an equitable crisis response for the future of behavioral health service delivery ahead of the July 2022 launch of 988.

State Policymakers Can Support Equitable School-based Telemental Health Services
This brief presents five ways state policymakers can support equitable school-based telemental health services, with recommendations based on relevant policy context, existing research, and—in some cases—feedback from interviews with five TMH providers who testified to on-the-ground experience with these interventions.

• SAMHSA Disaster/Distress Hotline: 1-800-985-5990
• SAMHSA Incidents of Mass Violence
• SAMHSA: Tips for Talking with and Helping Children and Youth Cope After a Disaster or Traumatic Event

• CDC Infographic: 6 Guiding Principles to a Trauma-Informed Approach
• CDC Helping Children Cope with Emergencies
• NCSMH Supporting Students, Staff, Families & Communities Impacted by Violence
• NIMH Helping Children & Adolescents Cope with Traumatic Events
• Talking to Children About Terrorist Attacks & School & Community Shootings in the News
• CDC Caring for Children in a Disaster: Tools & Resources
• NCTSN School Shooting Resources
• Sesame Street in Communities: Community & Gun Violence

• AAP Talking to Children About Tragedies & Other News Events
• AAP Talking with Children About Disasters
• CDC Helping Children Cope During & After a Disaster

• AAP Helping Children Cope & Adjust After a Disaster
• AAP Pediatric Preparedness Resource Kit

Helping Children with Tragic Events in the News

What do we tell our children?

How do we reassure them of their own safety?
At The Dougy Center in Portland, Oregon, we’ve provided grief support groups for children, teens, young adults and their parents or adult caregivers since 1982.

Based on our experience, here are some things for adults to keep in mind as you struggle with how to talk with children following tragic events, such as natural disasters, plane crashes, or school shootings.

1. Don’t project your fears onto your children. They take their cues from the adults around them.
You can’t hear the news about children being murdered or communities devastated by natural disasters without thinking about how you’d feel if it happened to your family, friends, or hometown. The outpouring of care and empathy for the families who lost loved ones will be powerful, and…we all know it could have been our friends, our child, our family and community members who died or were injured.

Identifying with the senselessness and randomness makes us all feel more vulnerable. But we should remember that children don’t always see things the same way that adults do, and it won’t be helpful to them for us to fall apart. They need to see that we care, that we feel terrible about this tragedy, and that we will do everything we can to keep them safe. They will take their cues from our behavior.

It’s okay to show emotion. We can model for children that feeling sad, scared, and upset is normal after tragedies. But we don’t want to overwhelm them with our emotions, or put them in the position of having to ‘parent,’ or take care of, the adults around them. Make sure you also model taking care of yourself, by sharing with trusted and supportive adult friends, eating (and drinking) healthfully.

2. Try to limit their access to the recurring news and exposure to the tragedy over and over.
Over-exposure to the graphic and emotional news can be overwhelming for children and can cause unnecessary anxiety and fear. Some children who repeatedly watched the footage of planes crashing into the towers on 9/11 thought it was happening again and again. Some children (and some adults) may have difficulty getting graphic scenes and images out of their minds. Too much exposure can fuel their fear, so don’t let them sit and watch the news over and over. Better yet, set the example of not doing so yourself as well.

3. Understand that you can’t completely shield them from what happened.
It would be next to impossible to hide these events from children, as much as we wish we could. You might be able to shield your own child in your home, for example, by not turning on (or owning) a television, but you can’t protect your children from hearing about it from other kids. The fact is, they will hear about it, so although they don’t “need” to know about it, pretending we can shield them is magical thinking.

That said, you don’t need to give them more information than they can handle, or more than they’re asking for. A simple, “Did they talk about what happened in _____ today at school?” would be a good starter. They need to know that you’re not trying to hide the truth from them, that you’re open to talking about it, but that you’re also not forcing them to do so.

4. Model truth-telling and build trust with your children by letting them hear things, even hard things, from you directly.
Eight days after the 9/11 attacks, I was meeting in small groups with pre-school workers in New York City, talking about how to respond to the young children in their care about the events. A man asked to speak to me privately after one of the trainings, and asked for my advice around his 7-year-old daughter. For the last week, since September 12th, she had been having stomach aches and difficulty sleeping. He said it was not tied to the events of 9/11 because, “We don’t have a television.” As his story unfolded it was evident that he did not want to have to explain to his child why people would do such horrible things, a normal dilemma that we face as parents and adults. This child was experiencing physical reactions, as it turned out, not primarily because of her reaction to the events of 9/11, but because she was unable to share her fears and concerns and questions in her own home, faced with her parents’ denial.

Here are some principles to keep in mind as you talk with children:

1. There is no one typical reaction one can or should expect from children.
Their responses will vary all over the ‘emotional’ map, from seeming disinterest to nightmares, eating issues, and anxiety. How any specific child will respond will depend on their age, previous experience with death and loss, and their personality style. Fearful children will tend to worry; quiet children may keep their feelings to themselves; those who want to appear unfazed may exhibit a sense of bravado or lack of caring. Of course, children directly affected – those who had a family member die; those who witnessed the tragedy; those who had friends die – will tend to have longer-term reactions and needs. Watch for changes in behavior, or concerning trends. While it would be normal to have heightened anxiety and sleeplessness, any concerning behavior or troubling symptoms should be taken seriously, and if warranted, professional help sought.

2. Many children will have an increased sense of fear about their safety.
Understandably. So will many adults. After a shooting at an Oregon mall in December 2012, the news outlets were filled with people who said they’d never take their children there again. Others said they’d return as soon as it opened in order to support the stores and employees who had experienced the traumatic events, and whose livelihoods were going to suffer as a result of the several day closure. Some runners in the Boston Marathon vowed to return; others said they would never do so again.

While we can’t guarantee to our children that nothing bad will ever happen to them, we can provide assurance that these events are relatively rare, and that we will do everything we can to keep them safe. Children may have many questions about the events, particularly about natural disasters. Answer their questions with language that fits their developmental stage. It’s okay if you don’t know the answer to a question. If it’s a question that might have an answer, offer to look up more information. You can also ask children what they think the answer is as they often have thoughts and ideas they want to share with you. In the case of natural disasters, if your child is fearful of something like that happening in your community, talk with them about the safety plan that you have in place for your family and home. You can also look into what community safety measures are in place and whatever elements are relevant with your children. Many children will be reassured knowing that there are specific, tangible things they and your family can do if something occurs. Some examples include, picking a meeting place, keeping flashlights in every bedroom, talking about where you will keep emergency water and food.

3. Children want, need, and deserve the truth.
In over 30 years of providing grief support to thousands of children and teens at The Dougy Center for Grieving Children & Families, we have never heard a child say, “I’m glad I was lied to.” Many, however, struggle with anger and lack of trust toward parents or other adults who lied to them. When we don’t tell the truth, they learn that we cannot be trusted. As difficult as it can be at times, and as horrendous as the truth may be, children want, need, and deserve the truth. Being able to talk openly and honestly with your children about tragic events and other losses, creates a foundation of trust, enabling them to come to you in the future with their questions, fears, and concerns.

Physical Effects

Emotional Effects

Spiritual Effects

Potential reactions to racial stress or trauma

Insecure Feelings

Feelings of shame and lack of confidence due to feeling that a situation cannot be changed.

Lack of Trust

Feeling detached or a lack of trust for others due to experiencing multiple losses or letdowns. This can make it very difficult to seek out help and to identify potential safe sources of support.

Triggers

Reminders of the event, such as particular people or situations, can also trigger strong emotional or physical responses (e.g., crying or rapid heartbeat).

Difficulty Controlling Emotions

Difficulty controlling emotional responses (going from “zero to one hundred”) can occur as the body helps you adapt to potentially unsafe situations, making you feel constantly on “alert.”

Legislation
Much of the debate today is around gun control. Below are links to two bills currently pending in Congress.

HR 1446 Enhanced Background Check Act of 2021

HR 8 Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021

The Oregon Alliance to Prevent Suicide has created a county-based LGBTQ+ Youth Resource List.  ( 14 Pages in PDF Format) 

>>> Check it out here <<<

and share with partners.

The Oregon Alliance to Prevent Suicide

Statewide Suicide Prevention Liaison:
Annette Marcus
Email:amarcus@aocmhp.org
Phone: (503) 399-7201

Suicide Prevention Project Specialist:
Jennifer Fraga
Email: jfraga@aocmhp.org
Phone: (503) 399-7201

MORE OREGON RESCOURCES

OREGON LGBTQ CRISIS LINES

Local, state, national and LGBTQ crisis and support resources.

CRISIS & SUPPORT LINES

If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please call 911.

If you or a friend are experiencing suicidal thoughts or are having a crisis and need support, contact Oregon’s Lines for Life: 800-273-8255.

Lines for Life will connect you with 24-hr crisis lines that provide crisis intervention and targeted support for youth, families, older adults, military service members and veterans for mental health crises and support, suicide prevention, help with addiction and recovery and racial equity and support – in partnership with the Oregon Health Authority.

English: 800-273-8255
En español: 888-628-9454
TTY: 800-799-4TTY (4889)

Oregon YouthLine: 877-968-8491.

Oregon YouthLine is a peer crisis line for youth ages 21 and younger. Teens are available to help daily, 4 to 10 p.m. Pacific Time (off-hour calls answered by adult call counselors) or chat online at the YouthLine website.

Text: “teen2teen” to 839863
Chat online: at YouthLine website

24/7 Crisis Text Line: Text 741741 with the message “Home” for support any time, night or day.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – National suicide prevention support, available 24/7. Call: 800-273-8255.

Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio – in Spanish call: 888-628-9454.

LGBTQ CRISIS LINES & ONLINE CHAT

Trevor Lifeline (for LGBTQ youth) 24 hours: 1-866-488-7386.

TrevorChat is available 24/7 days a week, or you can text the word “START” to 678-678, available 24/7.

CHAT SPACE FOR LGBTQ YOUTH

Q Chat Space is an online community chat for LGBTQ youth and teens who are questioning their identity, ages 13-19, facilitated by staff and volunteers from LGBTQ community centers around the country. Provides a place to connect and get access to information and resources. Q Chat Space is a program of CenterLink, the national organization for LGBTQ community centers.

Oregon Child Abuse Hotline – to report child abuse and neglect call: 855-503-SAFE (7233), available 24/7.

PARENT SUPPORT LINES

Reach Out Oregon Warmline – Parent Support Line call: 833-732-2467, Monday – Friday 12-7 pm PST (except for holidays).

A parent / caregiver support service that provides peer support, access to services and referrals for parents and caregivers with a child or youth experiencing emotional, behavioral and mental health challenges. The warmline is a project of Reach Out Oregon and the Oregon Family Support Network.

 

OREGON LGBTQ RESOURCES & SUPPORTS

Selected resources listed on this website focus on providing services and support to reduce mental health risks and promote well-being for LGBTQ young people.

RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR

Asian Pacific Island Pride
Non-profit organization that serves LGBTQ API communities in greater Portland and provides safe and supportive environments to celebrate, educate and bring communities together. apipride@gmail.com

Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA)
A multi-service agency that provides a wide range of services and supports for Native American children, youth, adults and families, including Two-Spirit and LGBTQ support groups and events.

PDX Latinx Pride – Pride events in Portland for the Latinx LGBTQ community, families and allies. Central facebook page provides a space to connect throughout the year – www.facebook.com/PDXlatinxpride

Portland Two-Spirit Society
P2SS is a social, cultural, educational, resource group for the LGBTIQ Native American/Alaskan Natives and their families; to come together and share, connect, reclaim, and restore culture and community.

Sankofa Collective Northwest
Sankofa provides support, education and advocacy for Black families, friends and LGBTQ people through monthly support groups, faith outreach, mini-grants and an annual Portland Black Pride celebration. Sankofa began as the first African American chapter of PFLAG in the U.S. and relaunched as the Sankofa Collective Northwest in 2016.

Utopia PDX – United Territories of Pacific Islanders Alliance Portland
Portland chapter of a nonprofit organization by and for queer and trans Pacific Islanders that provides support, community organizing, political engagement, and cultural stewardship. https://www.facebook.com/utopiaportland

 

YOUTH RESOURCES – STATE ACCESS

SMYRC (Sexual & Gender Minority Youth Resource Center)
SMYRC’s on-site center in Portland provides a safe, supervised, harassment-free space for sexual and gender minority youth ages 13-23 who participate in positive activities such as art, music, community organizing, open mic nights, drag shows, and support groups and receive services including case management, resource referral, counseling, and education. Through Bridge 13, SMYRC provides LGBTQ trainings, educational workshops and consultations for social support staff, health professionals, youth providers, and educators. SMRYC also helps families and youth find local resources in their communities that support LGBTQ youth and families.

Oregon Queer Youth Summit
A conference held by and for queer and trans identified youth and their allies from the state of Oregon. Leadership development and organizing events happens year-round.

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SCHOOL RESOURCES – STATEWIDE

Oregon Safe Schools & Communities Coalition (OSSCC)
A coalition of public and private organizations in Oregon that supports community efforts to reduce youth suicide and risk behaviors for LGBTQ youth. Provides education, data collection, and support services to create safe schools and communities for youth, teachers, and families.

GSA (Genders & Sexualities Alliance) School Clubs
GSA school clubs are available in many Oregon schools to provide support for LGBTQ students and allies and to provide education and events to promote safer schools and communities. Individual GSAs are listed by county and by school. (See National listings for information on GSA Network – a national organization that provides education and training to help students and local GSA clubs in schools to advocate for safer schools and policies to protect LGBTQ students from harassment and victimization.)

GLSEN Oregon
State chapter of the national organization that works to ensure safe schools for all students. GLSEN’s state chapter supports students and educators to adopt LGBTQ-affirming public policy, plan teacher trainings, and hold events for students, educators, parents, and allies.

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FAMILY RESOURCES

Basic Rights Oregon Fierce Families Network
Advocates for public policy that meets the needs of a breadth of the LGBTQ communities. Provides and distributes resources to help families understand their LGBTQ+ children.

Pride Foundation Scholarship Program
Community foundation that funds LGBTQ programs and supports in the Northwest, and funds scholarships for LGBTQ student leaders.

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YOUTH & FAMILY RESOURCES BY COUNTY

BENTON COUNTY

Cheldelin Middle School Pride Club
Cheldelin Middle School sponsored group that provides a confidential, safe space for students to support each other.

Corvallis High School Sexuality And Gender Alliance (SAGA)
A Corvallis High School sponsored GSA group that promotes understanding, acceptance and inclusion of all.

CLACKAMAS COUNTY

Clackamas High School GSA
A Clackamas High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.

Milwaukie High School & Milwaukie Academy of the Arts Queer-Straight Alliance
A Milwaukie High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.

The Living Room
A safe space that provides peer support and youth drop-in services, resources to promote personal growth and leadership skills, to build relationships and promote positive development of LGBTQ youth and allies.

Youth ERA Clackamas
A youth-focused program of services that includes a drop-in center, crisis services, online support, wrap around services, training and technical assistance for youth-serving groups and agencies.

CLATSOP COUNTY

Astoria High School Rainbow Alliance (GSA)
An Astoria High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.

Lower Columbia Q Center
A community center that provides a range of resources and support activities for LGBTQ youth and adults, including youth support and educational activities.

Seaside High School GSA
A Seaside High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.

COLUMBIA COUNTY

Scappoose High School FLATH/GSA
A Scappoose High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.

COOS COUNTY

PFLAG Coos Bay/South Coast
A Coos Bay/South Coast chapter of PFLAG that provides education, advocacy, and support for families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) persons, including ongoing support groups for parents.

Youth ERA Coos
A youth-focused program of services that includes a drop-in center, crisis services, online support, wrap around services, training and technical assistance for youth-serving groups and agencies.

CROOK COUNTY

PFLAG Central Oregon
A Central Oregon chapter of PFLAG that provides education, advocacy, and support for families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) persons, including ongoing support groups for parents.

PFLAG Prineville
A Prineville chapter of PFLAG that provides education, advocacy, and support for families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) persons, including ongoing support groups for parents.

CURRY COUNTY

Brookings-Harbor High School LGBTQ+ and Straight Alliance Club
A Brookings-Harbor High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.

PFLAG Curry County
Curry County chapter of PFLAG that provides education, advocacy, and support for families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) persons, including ongoing support groups for parents.

DESCHUTES COUNTY

PFLAG Central Oregon
A Central Oregon chapter of PFLAG that provides education, advocacy, and support for families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) persons, including ongoing support groups for parents.

Mountain View High School GSA
A Mountain View High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.

DOUGLAS COUNTY

PFLAG Douglas County
A Douglas County chapter of PFLAG that provides education, advocacy, and support for families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) persons, including ongoing support groups for parents.

HOOD RIVER COUNTY

Hood River Valley High School GSA
A Hood River Valley High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.

JACKSON COUNTY

Lotus Rising Project
A community organization in Southern Oregon that provides activities and services for LGBTQ youth and adults.

Phoenix High School GSA
A Phoenix High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.

Youth ERA Medford
A youth-focused program of services that includes a drop-in center, crisis services, online support, wrap around services, training and technical assistance for youth-serving groups and agencies.

JOSEPHINE COUNTY

Grants Pass High School Southern Oregon Pride (GSA)
A Grants Pass High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.

PFLAG Grants Pass
A Grants Pass chapter of PFLAG that provides education, advocacy, and support for families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) persons, including ongoing support groups for parents.

LANE COUNTY

Churchill High School GSA
A Churchill High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.

Sheldon High School GSA
A Sheldon High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.

South Eugene High School GSA
A South Eugene High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.

Trans*Ponder
A Lane County parent support group for families and caregivers with gender diverse children.

Willamette High School GSA
A Willamette High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion. https://www.facebook.com/Willamette-High-School-GSA-273630792665482

Youth ERA Eugene
A youth-focused program of services that includes a drop-in center, crisis services, online support, wrap around services, training and technical assistance for youth-serving groups and agencies.

LINCOLN COUNTY

Newport High School GSA
A Newport High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.

PFLAG Oregon Central Coast
Oregon Central Coast chapter of PFLAG that provides education, advocacy, and support for families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) persons, including ongoing support groups for parents.

The Bravery Center
A resource center that provides a safe space for LGBTQ+ youth, ages 14-24, in Lincoln County.

LINN COUNTY

Intersection Connection via Zoom
A support group for area middle and high school students with regular meetings held on Zoom.

Out-N-About
A support group for high school-aged LGBTQ youth in Linn and Benton with regular meetings via Zoom.

MARION COUNTY

PFLAG Salem
Salem chapter of PFLAG that provides education, advocacy, and support for families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) persons, including ongoing support groups for parents.

Rainbow Youth
Support groups for middle and high school students in Marion and Polk Counties. Services include social activities, and individual support.

Youth ERA Salem
A youth-focused program of services that includes a drop-in center, crisis services, online support, wrap around services, training and technical assistance for youth-serving groups and agencies.

MULTNOMAH COUNTY

Asian Pacific Island Pride
Non-profit organization that serves LGBTQ API communities in greater Portland and provides safe and supportive environments to celebrate, educate and bring communities together. apipride@gmail.com

Brave Space, LLC
An organization that provides counseling and support and facilitates access to knowledgeable providers for transgender and genderqueer young people, adults and their families.

Bridging Voices
A chorus for LGBTQ+ and allied youth, ages 13-21 in a safe, accessible place for youth to experience empowerment and unity through music. Bridging Voices is Portland’s first LGBTQ+ and Allied Youth Chorus and is one of the largest choruses of its kind.

Cascade AIDS Project (CAP)
A multi-service agency that provides a range of health, education housing and peer support services for adults. Also provides services for youth. Includes Prism Health that provides gender affirming care.

Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA)
A multi-service agency that provides a wide range of services and supports for Native American children, youth, adults and families, including Two-Spirit and LGBTQ support groups and events.

OHSU Transgender Health Program
Health care services for transgender for gender diverse children, youth and adults at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU). Provides information, referrals and access to resources.

Outside In Transgender Health Services
Health care and social services for youth experiencing homelessness and others. Provides an LGBTQ affirming medical clinic, transgender care, housing assistance, a Queer Zone group and a community drop-in center.

P:ear
Organization that provides a safe space, food, recreation, and mentorship through art, barista, and bike mechanic programs for youth who are experiencing homelessness and unstable housing.

PFLAG Portland
Portland chapter of PFLAG that provides education, advocacy, and support for families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) persons, including ongoing support groups for parents.

Portland Two-Spirit Society
P2SS is a social, cultural, educational, resource group for the LGBTIQ Native American/Alaskan Natives and their families; to come together and share, connect, reclaim, and restore culture and community.

Prism Healthcare Clinic
Health care agency that provides a wide range of services for LGBTQ people, including primary care and behavioral health services and counseling, gender-affirming care and STI testing.

Q Center
Portland’s LGBTQ community center. Provides a range of support groups, activities and a directory of local LGBTQ resources and referrals. Support groups are provided for adults related to gender identity, addiction recovery, veterans, seniors and a support group for youth under age 18.

Quest Center for Integrative Health
Health center that provides health and mental health care to youth and adults that includes counseling, LGBTQ health services, HIV services and wellness care.

Sankofa Collective Northwest
Sankofa provides support, education and advocacy for Black families, friends and LGBTQ people through monthly support groups, faith outreach, mini-grants and an annual Portland Black Pride celebration. Sankofa began as the first African American chapter of PFLAG in the U.S. and relaunched as the Sankofa Collective Northwest in 2016.

SMYRC (Sexual & Gender Minority Youth Resource Center)
SMYRC’s on-site center in Portland provides a safe, supervised, harassment-free space for sexual and gender minority youth ages 13-23 who participate in positive activities such as art, music, community organizing, open mic nights, drag shows, and support groups and receive services including case management, resource referral, counseling, and education. Through Bridge 13, SMYRC provides LGBTQ trainings, educational workshops and consultations for social support staff, health professionals, youth providers, and educators.

TransActive Gender Project
A program at Lewis & Clark that provides services and support for transgender and gender diverse children, youth, and families, including support groups for children and youth (ages 4-18), caregivers and families, as well as advocacy, counseling and referrals.

POLK COUNTY

Dallas High School GSA
A Dallas High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion. https://www.facebook.com/Dallas-High-School-GSA-702785019853083

PFLAG Salem
A Salem chapter of PFLAG that provides education, advocacy, and support for families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) persons, including ongoing support groups for parents.

Rainbow Youth
Organization that provides safe and welcoming spaces for LGBTQIA+ youth and their friends to find connection, support, and friendship in Marion and Polk Counties. Provides support meetings for middle and high-school aged youth, ages 18 and under.

UMATILLA COUNTY

PFLAG Pendelton
Pendelton chapter of PFLAG that provides education, advocacy, and support for families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) persons, including ongoing support groups for parents.

UNION COUNTY

PFLAG Union County
Union County chapter of PFLAG that provides education, advocacy, and support for families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) persons, including ongoing support groups for parents. https://www.facebook.com/PflagUnionCounty

WALLOWA COUNTY

Safe Harbors
Community organization that provides education and outreach with crisis intervention and advocacy services for survivors of domestic, sexual and dating violence for youth and adults.

WASHINGTON COUNTY

Beaverton High School GSA
A Beaverton High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.

Hillsboro High School GSA
A Hillsboro High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.

Sherwood High School Sexuality & Gender Alliance (SAGA)
A Sherwood High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.

 

 

EVIDENCE-BASED FAMILY GUIDANCE RESOURCES

The evidence-based resources included here were developed by the Family Acceptance Project (FAP) and are rooted in FAP’s groundbreaking research with LGBTQ youth, young adults and families. This research and guidance from the lived experiences of ethnically, racially and religiously diverse families with LGBTQ young people enabled FAP to develop the first evidence-based family support model to prevent health risks and promote well-being for LGBTQ children and youth. FAP continues to produce a series of evidence-based resources to help to decrease health risks and promote well-being for LGBTQ children and youth.

HEALTHY FUTURES POSTER SERIES

Available from FAP in 10 languages, including English, Spanish, Chinese (traditional and simplified), Hindi, Korean, Japanese, Punjabi, Tagalog and Vietnamese. Other versions are in development.

Series of 3 posters that tell the “story” of family accepting and rejecting behaviors and show how these behaviors contribute to serious health risks including suicidal behavior and drug use and how they help protect against risk and promote well-being. Each poster includes common accepting and rejecting behaviors that are expressed across diverse cultures. The posters are available to download free in 4 sizes and include the camera-ready art to take to a commercial printer.

DEVELOPING THE FIELD OF FAMILY SUPPORT FOR LGBTQ CHILDREN & YOUTH

Providing Services & Support

Although it may seem surprising to many people who are concerned about the health and well-being of children and youth, before the Family Acceptance Project was established 20 years ago, no one had studied LGBTQ young people and families. As a result, many mainstream services, including government agencies, have not included services and support for diverse families with LGBTQ children. As the Family Acceptance Project has shown, families can learn to support their LGBTQ children when services are provided in ways that are culturally relevant for them. Culturally appropriate services are needed to help families learn to support their LGBTQ children to reduce serious health risks, strengthen families and support positive development. Use this website to learn about these issues to provide support for LGBTQ children, youth and families – urgently needed now as LGBTQ young people and families are coping with the losses from Covid-19.

FAITH COMMUNITIES AND THE WELL-BEING OF LGBTQ YOUTH

A publication for faith communities and families on supporting LGBTQ youth to prevent mental health risks and to increase support, published by the Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry. GAP is a professional organization of thought leaders in the field of psychiatry who provide guidance on addressing critical emerging mental health issues.

NATIONAL LGBTQ RESOURCES & SUPPORTS

Selected resources listed on this website focus on providing services and support to reduce mental health risks and promote well-being for LGBTQ young people.

Maternal Depression Support Groups and Educational  Resources

On-line

Peer Support Groups & More! Postpartum

Support International (PSI) Weekly Support Groups: PSI facilitates a wide variety of postpartum support groups every week for diverse populations, and all family members.

PSI also staffs a non-emergency helpline for education and support:  The number is 1-800-944-4773. PSI also offers a free peer mentor program where Mons or Dads can work 1-1 with a peer mentor once per week for up to 6 months.

Link to webpage for specific support groups, dates and times: 

https://www.postpartum.net/get-help/psi-online-support-meetings/

West Coast On-line Peer Support Forum:

Postpartum Progress Hosts Regional, On-line Forums for Maternal Depression and/or Anxiety:

These regional forums are moderated by volunteer Warrior Mom® Ambassadors who have completed Mental Health First Aid training.

Link to webpage to select a particular region, including West Coast (includes Oregon):

https://postpartumprogress.com/postpartum-progdress-online-peer-support

Oregon On-line Peer Support Groups: 

Free peer support groups and discussion forums, moderated by, “Well Mama,” for mothers and families on a wide variety of topics related to pregnancy and postpartum mental health.

Link to register:  https://www.wellmamaoregon.com/support/

 On-line Maternal Depression Education Resources:  

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): NIMH provides a comprehensive, downloadable educational manual about Postpartum (Perinatal) Depression. 

Link to the webpage to download this educational material: 

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/perinatal-depression/index.shtml

Oregon Health Authority (OHA):

OHA provides a wide variety of educational materials on pregnancy and postpartum depression for both mothers and family members.

Link to this information: 

https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/HealthyPeopleFamilies/Women/MaternalMentalHealth/Pages/index.aspx

Resources for Families and Children Facing Tragic Events

Racial Stress – Racism – Hate Crimes

Helpful Resources to Address the Mass Shooting in Uvalde, Texas
Many thanks to Michelle Zabel, MSS, Assistant Dean, and Director, The Institute for Innovation and Implementation, for compiling this list of resources in response to the horrific mass shooting in Texas earlier this week.

Helping Young People Cope With Mental Health Challenges
Vox Media’s NowThis is linking arms with Ken Burns and PBS to share an upcoming documentary titled “Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness.” Scenes from the forthcoming film will be shared across NowThis social platforms throughout Mental Health Awareness Month in May. NowThis will host a live TikTok conversation about the topic, as well. The goal, Burns said, is “to get this material out to young people around the country.” The film itself will debut at the end of June on PBS.

Uplift by Youth Era: Teaching Youth Peer Support Skills
More than 500 youth signed up for the most recent Uplift event! Studied by the University of Oxford and co-designed with young adults, Uplift by Youth Era is the future of peer support. Empower a young person in your life to be who they need, and apply to join the next Uplift training in June!

Randolph “Randy” Muck September 14, 1955 to April 21, 2021 in Memoriam
On the first anniversary of his death, several of us who knew and worked with Randy write this tribute to remember and honor his impact on so many people. Randy provided much-needed leadership from within the federal government to develop and disseminate evidence-based substance use treatments designed for adolescents and their families. He was successful because he had a rare ability to connect with all the groups important to improving adolescent treatment: provider organizations, schools, juvenile justice, counselors, federal agency decision-makers, researchers, private foundations, and most importantly—adolescents and their families. He saw how these groups could align their different interests and collaborate. This, in turn, helped youth, families, and systems of care in ways that continue to have an impact.

HHS Awards Nearly $25 Million to Expand Access to School-Based Health Services
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), recently announced nearly $25 million will be made available to improve and strengthen access to school-based health services in communities across the country. Awards will support local partnerships between schools and health centers to provide children and youth with the comprehensive physical and mental health care they need.

Investing in Prevention Makes Good Financial Sense
Primary prevention—including screening and intervention before negative health outcomes occur—is relatively inexpensive. The higher-risk behaviors it is designed to reduce are so costly to the healthcare system that it is staggeringly wasteful not to make sure that screening and treatment referrals are readily implemented and faithfully reimbursed by insurers and that interventions are convenient for parents and their children.

PAX Good Behavior Game
Speaking of prevention…
The PAX Good Behavior Game is an evidence-based universal preventive intervention applied by teachers in the classroom. This evidence-based practice consists of research-based strategies with origins in behavioral science, neuroscience, and cultural wisdom that operate together to improve children’s self-regulation. Teachers implement these strategies as part of their daily routines in carrying out tasks such as getting students’ attention, selecting students for tasks, transitioning from one task to the next, working as part of a team, limiting problematic behavior, and reinforcing pro-social behavior.

HHS Launches New Maternal Mental Health Hotline
The Maternal Mental Health Hotline is a new, confidential, toll-free hotline for expecting and new moms experiencing mental health challenges. Those who contact the hotline can receive a range of support, including brief interventions from trained culturally and trauma-informed counselors and referrals to both community-based and telehealth providers as needed. Callers also will receive evidence-based information and referrals to support groups and other community resources.

Six Things You Need To Know About Music and Health
A growing body of research suggests that listening to or performing music affects the brain in ways that may help promote health and manage disease symptoms. More justification for the plethora of music videos posted in Friday Update!

Know Your Rights: Parity for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Benefits
This brochure gives an overview of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. It lists some common limits placed on mental health and substance use disorder benefits and services.

Going Digital: Behavioral Health Tech
Aaahhhh!!! Less than 20 days!!! Well? Have you registered for the 2022 Going Digital: Behavioral Health Tech summit on June 8-9th yet? Can’t make it? Wondering if you can access all of the sessions with our hundreds of speakers after June 8-9th? YES, but ONLY if you register in advance. So, you should probably get on that.

Building a More Equitable Juvenile Justice System for Everyone
Racial inequities regarding the policing of children, and the subsequent disparities in their treatment within the juvenile justice system, have been problems in this country for far too long. It is encouraging that many states and counties are not only recognizing these issues but are taking action. The CSG Justice Center is committed to providing research-driven, data-informed solutions to our partners to continue building safer and stronger communities for everyone, especially our youth.

Disruptions to School and Home Life Among High School Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic — Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey, United States, January–June 2021
Young people have experienced disruptions to school and home life since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020. From January to June 2021, CDC conducted the Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey (ABES), an online survey of a probability-based, nationally representative sample of U.S. public- and private-school students in grades 9–12. ABES data were used to estimate the prevalence of disruptions and adverse experiences during the pandemic, including parental and personal job loss, homelessness, hunger, emotional or physical abuse by a parent or other adult at home, receipt of telemedicine, and difficulty completing schoolwork. Prevalence estimates are presented for all students by sex, race and ethnicity, grade, sexual identity, and difficulty completing schoolwork.

CDC Survey Finds the Pandemic Had a Big Impact on Teens’ Mental Health
According to a survey published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than four in 10 teens report feeling “persistently sad or hopeless” during the COVID-19 pandemic. Girls were twice as likely to experience mental health troubles compared to boys. And LGBTQ students were hit the hardest. The CDC’s findings were gathered from online surveys from a sample of 7,700 US students during the first six months of 2021.

New Initiative to Define Policy Recommendations for Embedding Equity into 988
The Kennedy-Satcher Center for Mental Health Equity & Beacon Health Options are joining forces to create and develop an equitable crisis response for the future of behavioral health service delivery ahead of the July 2022 launch of 988.

State Policymakers Can Support Equitable School-based Telemental Health Services
This brief presents five ways state policymakers can support equitable school-based telemental health services, with recommendations based on relevant policy context, existing research, and—in some cases—feedback from interviews with five TMH providers who testified to on-the-ground experience with these interventions.

• SAMHSA Disaster/Distress Hotline: 1-800-985-5990
• SAMHSA Incidents of Mass Violence
• SAMHSA: Tips for Talking with and Helping Children and Youth Cope After a Disaster or Traumatic Event

• CDC Infographic: 6 Guiding Principles to a Trauma-Informed Approach
• CDC Helping Children Cope with Emergencies
• NCSMH Supporting Students, Staff, Families & Communities Impacted by Violence
• NIMH Helping Children & Adolescents Cope with Traumatic Events
• Talking to Children About Terrorist Attacks & School & Community Shootings in the News
• CDC Caring for Children in a Disaster: Tools & Resources
• NCTSN School Shooting Resources
• Sesame Street in Communities: Community & Gun Violence

• AAP Talking to Children About Tragedies & Other News Events
• AAP Talking with Children About Disasters
• CDC Helping Children Cope During & After a Disaster

• AAP Helping Children Cope & Adjust After a Disaster
• AAP Pediatric Preparedness Resource Kit

Helping Children with Tragic Events in the News

What do we tell our children?

How do we reassure them of their own safety?
At The Dougy Center in Portland, Oregon, we’ve provided grief support groups for children, teens, young adults and their parents or adult caregivers since 1982.

Based on our experience, here are some things for adults to keep in mind as you struggle with how to talk with children following tragic events, such as natural disasters, plane crashes, or school shootings.

1. Don’t project your fears onto your children. They take their cues from the adults around them.
You can’t hear the news about children being murdered or communities devastated by natural disasters without thinking about how you’d feel if it happened to your family, friends, or hometown. The outpouring of care and empathy for the families who lost loved ones will be powerful, and…we all know it could have been our friends, our child, our family and community members who died or were injured.

Identifying with the senselessness and randomness makes us all feel more vulnerable. But we should remember that children don’t always see things the same way that adults do, and it won’t be helpful to them for us to fall apart. They need to see that we care, that we feel terrible about this tragedy, and that we will do everything we can to keep them safe. They will take their cues from our behavior.

It’s okay to show emotion. We can model for children that feeling sad, scared, and upset is normal after tragedies. But we don’t want to overwhelm them with our emotions, or put them in the position of having to ‘parent,’ or take care of, the adults around them. Make sure you also model taking care of yourself, by sharing with trusted and supportive adult friends, eating (and drinking) healthfully.

2. Try to limit their access to the recurring news and exposure to the tragedy over and over.
Over-exposure to the graphic and emotional news can be overwhelming for children and can cause unnecessary anxiety and fear. Some children who repeatedly watched the footage of planes crashing into the towers on 9/11 thought it was happening again and again. Some children (and some adults) may have difficulty getting graphic scenes and images out of their minds. Too much exposure can fuel their fear, so don’t let them sit and watch the news over and over. Better yet, set the example of not doing so yourself as well.

3. Understand that you can’t completely shield them from what happened.
It would be next to impossible to hide these events from children, as much as we wish we could. You might be able to shield your own child in your home, for example, by not turning on (or owning) a television, but you can’t protect your children from hearing about it from other kids. The fact is, they will hear about it, so although they don’t “need” to know about it, pretending we can shield them is magical thinking.

That said, you don’t need to give them more information than they can handle, or more than they’re asking for. A simple, “Did they talk about what happened in _____ today at school?” would be a good starter. They need to know that you’re not trying to hide the truth from them, that you’re open to talking about it, but that you’re also not forcing them to do so.

4. Model truth-telling and build trust with your children by letting them hear things, even hard things, from you directly.
Eight days after the 9/11 attacks, I was meeting in small groups with pre-school workers in New York City, talking about how to respond to the young children in their care about the events. A man asked to speak to me privately after one of the trainings, and asked for my advice around his 7-year-old daughter. For the last week, since September 12th, she had been having stomach aches and difficulty sleeping. He said it was not tied to the events of 9/11 because, “We don’t have a television.” As his story unfolded it was evident that he did not want to have to explain to his child why people would do such horrible things, a normal dilemma that we face as parents and adults. This child was experiencing physical reactions, as it turned out, not primarily because of her reaction to the events of 9/11, but because she was unable to share her fears and concerns and questions in her own home, faced with her parents’ denial.

Here are some principles to keep in mind as you talk with children:

1. There is no one typical reaction one can or should expect from children.
Their responses will vary all over the ‘emotional’ map, from seeming disinterest to nightmares, eating issues, and anxiety. How any specific child will respond will depend on their age, previous experience with death and loss, and their personality style. Fearful children will tend to worry; quiet children may keep their feelings to themselves; those who want to appear unfazed may exhibit a sense of bravado or lack of caring. Of course, children directly affected – those who had a family member die; those who witnessed the tragedy; those who had friends die – will tend to have longer-term reactions and needs. Watch for changes in behavior, or concerning trends. While it would be normal to have heightened anxiety and sleeplessness, any concerning behavior or troubling symptoms should be taken seriously, and if warranted, professional help sought.

2. Many children will have an increased sense of fear about their safety.
Understandably. So will many adults. After a shooting at an Oregon mall in December 2012, the news outlets were filled with people who said they’d never take their children there again. Others said they’d return as soon as it opened in order to support the stores and employees who had experienced the traumatic events, and whose livelihoods were going to suffer as a result of the several day closure. Some runners in the Boston Marathon vowed to return; others said they would never do so again.

While we can’t guarantee to our children that nothing bad will ever happen to them, we can provide assurance that these events are relatively rare, and that we will do everything we can to keep them safe. Children may have many questions about the events, particularly about natural disasters. Answer their questions with language that fits their developmental stage. It’s okay if you don’t know the answer to a question. If it’s a question that might have an answer, offer to look up more information. You can also ask children what they think the answer is as they often have thoughts and ideas they want to share with you. In the case of natural disasters, if your child is fearful of something like that happening in your community, talk with them about the safety plan that you have in place for your family and home. You can also look into what community safety measures are in place and whatever elements are relevant with your children. Many children will be reassured knowing that there are specific, tangible things they and your family can do if something occurs. Some examples include, picking a meeting place, keeping flashlights in every bedroom, talking about where you will keep emergency water and food.

3. Children want, need, and deserve the truth.
In over 30 years of providing grief support to thousands of children and teens at The Dougy Center for Grieving Children & Families, we have never heard a child say, “I’m glad I was lied to.” Many, however, struggle with anger and lack of trust toward parents or other adults who lied to them. When we don’t tell the truth, they learn that we cannot be trusted. As difficult as it can be at times, and as horrendous as the truth may be, children want, need, and deserve the truth. Being able to talk openly and honestly with your children about tragic events and other losses, creates a foundation of trust, enabling them to come to you in the future with their questions, fears, and concerns.

Physical Effects

Emotional Effects

Spiritual Effects

Potential reactions to racial stress or trauma

Insecure Feelings

Feelings of shame and lack of confidence due to feeling that a situation cannot be changed.

Lack of Trust

Feeling detached or a lack of trust for others due to experiencing multiple losses or letdowns. This can make it very difficult to seek out help and to identify potential safe sources of support.

Triggers

Reminders of the event, such as particular people or situations, can also trigger strong emotional or physical responses (e.g., crying or rapid heartbeat).

Difficulty Controlling Emotions

Difficulty controlling emotional responses (going from “zero to one hundred”) can occur as the body helps you adapt to potentially unsafe situations, making you feel constantly on “alert.”

Legislation
Much of the debate today is around gun control. Below are links to two bills currently pending in Congress.

HR 1446 Enhanced Background Check Act of 2021

HR 8 Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021

The Oregon Alliance to Prevent Suicide has created a county-based LGBTQ+ Youth Resource List.  ( 14 Pages in PDF Format) 

>>> Check it out here <<<

and share with partners.

The Oregon Alliance to Prevent Suicide

Statewide Suicide Prevention Liaison:
Annette Marcus
Email:amarcus@aocmhp.org
Phone: (503) 399-7201

Suicide Prevention Project Specialist:
Jennifer Fraga
Email: jfraga@aocmhp.org
Phone: (503) 399-7201

MORE OREGON RESCOURCES

OREGON LGBTQ CRISIS LINES

Local, state, national and LGBTQ crisis and support resources.

CRISIS & SUPPORT LINES

If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please call 911.

If you or a friend are experiencing suicidal thoughts or are having a crisis and need support, contact Oregon’s Lines for Life: 800-273-8255.

Lines for Life will connect you with 24-hr crisis lines that provide crisis intervention and targeted support for youth, families, older adults, military service members and veterans for mental health crises and support, suicide prevention, help with addiction and recovery and racial equity and support – in partnership with the Oregon Health Authority.

English: 800-273-8255
En español: 888-628-9454
TTY: 800-799-4TTY (4889)

Oregon YouthLine: 877-968-8491.

Oregon YouthLine is a peer crisis line for youth ages 21 and younger. Teens are available to help daily, 4 to 10 p.m. Pacific Time (off-hour calls answered by adult call counselors) or chat online at the YouthLine website.

Text: “teen2teen” to 839863
Chat online: at YouthLine website

24/7 Crisis Text Line: Text 741741 with the message “Home” for support any time, night or day.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – National suicide prevention support, available 24/7. Call: 800-273-8255.

Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio – in Spanish call: 888-628-9454.

LGBTQ CRISIS LINES & ONLINE CHAT

Trevor Lifeline (for LGBTQ youth) 24 hours: 1-866-488-7386.

TrevorChat is available 24/7 days a week, or you can text the word “START” to 678-678, available 24/7.

CHAT SPACE FOR LGBTQ YOUTH

Q Chat Space is an online community chat for LGBTQ youth and teens who are questioning their identity, ages 13-19, facilitated by staff and volunteers from LGBTQ community centers around the country. Provides a place to connect and get access to information and resources. Q Chat Space is a program of CenterLink, the national organization for LGBTQ community centers.

Oregon Child Abuse Hotline – to report child abuse and neglect call: 855-503-SAFE (7233), available 24/7.

PARENT SUPPORT LINES

Reach Out Oregon Warmline – Parent Support Line call: 833-732-2467, Monday – Friday 12-7 pm PST (except for holidays).

A parent / caregiver support service that provides peer support, access to services and referrals for parents and caregivers with a child or youth experiencing emotional, behavioral and mental health challenges. The warmline is a project of Reach Out Oregon and the Oregon Family Support Network.

 

OREGON LGBTQ RESOURCES & SUPPORTS

Selected resources listed on this website focus on providing services and support to reduce mental health risks and promote well-being for LGBTQ young people.

RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR

Asian Pacific Island Pride
Non-profit organization that serves LGBTQ API communities in greater Portland and provides safe and supportive environments to celebrate, educate and bring communities together. apipride@gmail.com

Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA)
A multi-service agency that provides a wide range of services and supports for Native American children, youth, adults and families, including Two-Spirit and LGBTQ support groups and events.

PDX Latinx Pride – Pride events in Portland for the Latinx LGBTQ community, families and allies. Central facebook page provides a space to connect throughout the year – www.facebook.com/PDXlatinxpride

Portland Two-Spirit Society
P2SS is a social, cultural, educational, resource group for the LGBTIQ Native American/Alaskan Natives and their families; to come together and share, connect, reclaim, and restore culture and community.

Sankofa Collective Northwest
Sankofa provides support, education and advocacy for Black families, friends and LGBTQ people through monthly support groups, faith outreach, mini-grants and an annual Portland Black Pride celebration. Sankofa began as the first African American chapter of PFLAG in the U.S. and relaunched as the Sankofa Collective Northwest in 2016.

Utopia PDX – United Territories of Pacific Islanders Alliance Portland
Portland chapter of a nonprofit organization by and for queer and trans Pacific Islanders that provides support, community organizing, political engagement, and cultural stewardship. https://www.facebook.com/utopiaportland

 

YOUTH RESOURCES – STATE ACCESS

SMYRC (Sexual & Gender Minority Youth Resource Center)
SMYRC’s on-site center in Portland provides a safe, supervised, harassment-free space for sexual and gender minority youth ages 13-23 who participate in positive activities such as art, music, community organizing, open mic nights, drag shows, and support groups and receive services including case management, resource referral, counseling, and education. Through Bridge 13, SMYRC provides LGBTQ trainings, educational workshops and consultations for social support staff, health professionals, youth providers, and educators. SMRYC also helps families and youth find local resources in their communities that support LGBTQ youth and families.

Oregon Queer Youth Summit
A conference held by and for queer and trans identified youth and their allies from the state of Oregon. Leadership development and organizing events happens year-round.

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SCHOOL RESOURCES – STATEWIDE

Oregon Safe Schools & Communities Coalition (OSSCC)
A coalition of public and private organizations in Oregon that supports community efforts to reduce youth suicide and risk behaviors for LGBTQ youth. Provides education, data collection, and support services to create safe schools and communities for youth, teachers, and families.

GSA (Genders & Sexualities Alliance) School Clubs
GSA school clubs are available in many Oregon schools to provide support for LGBTQ students and allies and to provide education and events to promote safer schools and communities. Individual GSAs are listed by county and by school. (See National listings for information on GSA Network – a national organization that provides education and training to help students and local GSA clubs in schools to advocate for safer schools and policies to protect LGBTQ students from harassment and victimization.)

GLSEN Oregon
State chapter of the national organization that works to ensure safe schools for all students. GLSEN’s state chapter supports students and educators to adopt LGBTQ-affirming public policy, plan teacher trainings, and hold events for students, educators, parents, and allies.

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FAMILY RESOURCES

Basic Rights Oregon Fierce Families Network
Advocates for public policy that meets the needs of a breadth of the LGBTQ communities. Provides and distributes resources to help families understand their LGBTQ+ children.

Pride Foundation Scholarship Program
Community foundation that funds LGBTQ programs and supports in the Northwest, and funds scholarships for LGBTQ student leaders.

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YOUTH & FAMILY RESOURCES BY COUNTY

BENTON COUNTY

Cheldelin Middle School Pride Club
Cheldelin Middle School sponsored group that provides a confidential, safe space for students to support each other.

Corvallis High School Sexuality And Gender Alliance (SAGA)
A Corvallis High School sponsored GSA group that promotes understanding, acceptance and inclusion of all.

CLACKAMAS COUNTY

Clackamas High School GSA
A Clackamas High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.

Milwaukie High School & Milwaukie Academy of the Arts Queer-Straight Alliance
A Milwaukie High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.

The Living Room
A safe space that provides peer support and youth drop-in services, resources to promote personal growth and leadership skills, to build relationships and promote positive development of LGBTQ youth and allies.

Youth ERA Clackamas
A youth-focused program of services that includes a drop-in center, crisis services, online support, wrap around services, training and technical assistance for youth-serving groups and agencies.

CLATSOP COUNTY

Astoria High School Rainbow Alliance (GSA)
An Astoria High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.

Lower Columbia Q Center
A community center that provides a range of resources and support activities for LGBTQ youth and adults, including youth support and educational activities.

Seaside High School GSA
A Seaside High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.

COLUMBIA COUNTY

Scappoose High School FLATH/GSA
A Scappoose High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.

COOS COUNTY

PFLAG Coos Bay/South Coast
A Coos Bay/South Coast chapter of PFLAG that provides education, advocacy, and support for families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) persons, including ongoing support groups for parents.

Youth ERA Coos
A youth-focused program of services that includes a drop-in center, crisis services, online support, wrap around services, training and technical assistance for youth-serving groups and agencies.

CROOK COUNTY

PFLAG Central Oregon
A Central Oregon chapter of PFLAG that provides education, advocacy, and support for families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) persons, including ongoing support groups for parents.

PFLAG Prineville
A Prineville chapter of PFLAG that provides education, advocacy, and support for families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) persons, including ongoing support groups for parents.

CURRY COUNTY

Brookings-Harbor High School LGBTQ+ and Straight Alliance Club
A Brookings-Harbor High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.

PFLAG Curry County
Curry County chapter of PFLAG that provides education, advocacy, and support for families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) persons, including ongoing support groups for parents.

DESCHUTES COUNTY

PFLAG Central Oregon
A Central Oregon chapter of PFLAG that provides education, advocacy, and support for families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) persons, including ongoing support groups for parents.

Mountain View High School GSA
A Mountain View High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.

DOUGLAS COUNTY

PFLAG Douglas County
A Douglas County chapter of PFLAG that provides education, advocacy, and support for families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) persons, including ongoing support groups for parents.

HOOD RIVER COUNTY

Hood River Valley High School GSA
A Hood River Valley High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.

JACKSON COUNTY

Lotus Rising Project
A community organization in Southern Oregon that provides activities and services for LGBTQ youth and adults.

Phoenix High School GSA
A Phoenix High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.

Youth ERA Medford
A youth-focused program of services that includes a drop-in center, crisis services, online support, wrap around services, training and technical assistance for youth-serving groups and agencies.

JOSEPHINE COUNTY

Grants Pass High School Southern Oregon Pride (GSA)
A Grants Pass High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.

PFLAG Grants Pass
A Grants Pass chapter of PFLAG that provides education, advocacy, and support for families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) persons, including ongoing support groups for parents.

LANE COUNTY

Churchill High School GSA
A Churchill High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.

Sheldon High School GSA
A Sheldon High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.

South Eugene High School GSA
A South Eugene High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.

Trans*Ponder
A Lane County parent support group for families and caregivers with gender diverse children.

Willamette High School GSA
A Willamette High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion. https://www.facebook.com/Willamette-High-School-GSA-273630792665482

Youth ERA Eugene
A youth-focused program of services that includes a drop-in center, crisis services, online support, wrap around services, training and technical assistance for youth-serving groups and agencies.

LINCOLN COUNTY

Newport High School GSA
A Newport High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.

PFLAG Oregon Central Coast
Oregon Central Coast chapter of PFLAG that provides education, advocacy, and support for families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) persons, including ongoing support groups for parents.

The Bravery Center
A resource center that provides a safe space for LGBTQ+ youth, ages 14-24, in Lincoln County.

LINN COUNTY

Intersection Connection via Zoom
A support group for area middle and high school students with regular meetings held on Zoom.

Out-N-About
A support group for high school-aged LGBTQ youth in Linn and Benton with regular meetings via Zoom.

MARION COUNTY

PFLAG Salem
Salem chapter of PFLAG that provides education, advocacy, and support for families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) persons, including ongoing support groups for parents.

Rainbow Youth
Support groups for middle and high school students in Marion and Polk Counties. Services include social activities, and individual support.

Youth ERA Salem
A youth-focused program of services that includes a drop-in center, crisis services, online support, wrap around services, training and technical assistance for youth-serving groups and agencies.

MULTNOMAH COUNTY

Asian Pacific Island Pride
Non-profit organization that serves LGBTQ API communities in greater Portland and provides safe and supportive environments to celebrate, educate and bring communities together. apipride@gmail.com

Brave Space, LLC
An organization that provides counseling and support and facilitates access to knowledgeable providers for transgender and genderqueer young people, adults and their families.

Bridging Voices
A chorus for LGBTQ+ and allied youth, ages 13-21 in a safe, accessible place for youth to experience empowerment and unity through music. Bridging Voices is Portland’s first LGBTQ+ and Allied Youth Chorus and is one of the largest choruses of its kind.

Cascade AIDS Project (CAP)
A multi-service agency that provides a range of health, education housing and peer support services for adults. Also provides services for youth. Includes Prism Health that provides gender affirming care.

Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA)
A multi-service agency that provides a wide range of services and supports for Native American children, youth, adults and families, including Two-Spirit and LGBTQ support groups and events.

OHSU Transgender Health Program
Health care services for transgender for gender diverse children, youth and adults at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU). Provides information, referrals and access to resources.

Outside In Transgender Health Services
Health care and social services for youth experiencing homelessness and others. Provides an LGBTQ affirming medical clinic, transgender care, housing assistance, a Queer Zone group and a community drop-in center.

P:ear
Organization that provides a safe space, food, recreation, and mentorship through art, barista, and bike mechanic programs for youth who are experiencing homelessness and unstable housing.

PFLAG Portland
Portland chapter of PFLAG that provides education, advocacy, and support for families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) persons, including ongoing support groups for parents.

Portland Two-Spirit Society
P2SS is a social, cultural, educational, resource group for the LGBTIQ Native American/Alaskan Natives and their families; to come together and share, connect, reclaim, and restore culture and community.

Prism Healthcare Clinic
Health care agency that provides a wide range of services for LGBTQ people, including primary care and behavioral health services and counseling, gender-affirming care and STI testing.

Q Center
Portland’s LGBTQ community center. Provides a range of support groups, activities and a directory of local LGBTQ resources and referrals. Support groups are provided for adults related to gender identity, addiction recovery, veterans, seniors and a support group for youth under age 18.

Quest Center for Integrative Health
Health center that provides health and mental health care to youth and adults that includes counseling, LGBTQ health services, HIV services and wellness care.

Sankofa Collective Northwest
Sankofa provides support, education and advocacy for Black families, friends and LGBTQ people through monthly support groups, faith outreach, mini-grants and an annual Portland Black Pride celebration. Sankofa began as the first African American chapter of PFLAG in the U.S. and relaunched as the Sankofa Collective Northwest in 2016.

SMYRC (Sexual & Gender Minority Youth Resource Center)
SMYRC’s on-site center in Portland provides a safe, supervised, harassment-free space for sexual and gender minority youth ages 13-23 who participate in positive activities such as art, music, community organizing, open mic nights, drag shows, and support groups and receive services including case management, resource referral, counseling, and education. Through Bridge 13, SMYRC provides LGBTQ trainings, educational workshops and consultations for social support staff, health professionals, youth providers, and educators.

TransActive Gender Project
A program at Lewis & Clark that provides services and support for transgender and gender diverse children, youth, and families, including support groups for children and youth (ages 4-18), caregivers and families, as well as advocacy, counseling and referrals.

POLK COUNTY

Dallas High School GSA
A Dallas High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion. https://www.facebook.com/Dallas-High-School-GSA-702785019853083

PFLAG Salem
A Salem chapter of PFLAG that provides education, advocacy, and support for families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) persons, including ongoing support groups for parents.

Rainbow Youth
Organization that provides safe and welcoming spaces for LGBTQIA+ youth and their friends to find connection, support, and friendship in Marion and Polk Counties. Provides support meetings for middle and high-school aged youth, ages 18 and under.

UMATILLA COUNTY

PFLAG Pendelton
Pendelton chapter of PFLAG that provides education, advocacy, and support for families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) persons, including ongoing support groups for parents.

UNION COUNTY

PFLAG Union County
Union County chapter of PFLAG that provides education, advocacy, and support for families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) persons, including ongoing support groups for parents. https://www.facebook.com/PflagUnionCounty

WALLOWA COUNTY

Safe Harbors
Community organization that provides education and outreach with crisis intervention and advocacy services for survivors of domestic, sexual and dating violence for youth and adults.

WASHINGTON COUNTY

Beaverton High School GSA
A Beaverton High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.

Hillsboro High School GSA
A Hillsboro High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.

Sherwood High School Sexuality & Gender Alliance (SAGA)
A Sherwood High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.

 

 

EVIDENCE-BASED FAMILY GUIDANCE RESOURCES

The evidence-based resources included here were developed by the Family Acceptance Project (FAP) and are rooted in FAP’s groundbreaking research with LGBTQ youth, young adults and families. This research and guidance from the lived experiences of ethnically, racially and religiously diverse families with LGBTQ young people enabled FAP to develop the first evidence-based family support model to prevent health risks and promote well-being for LGBTQ children and youth. FAP continues to produce a series of evidence-based resources to help to decrease health risks and promote well-being for LGBTQ children and youth.

HEALTHY FUTURES POSTER SERIES

Available from FAP in 10 languages, including English, Spanish, Chinese (traditional and simplified), Hindi, Korean, Japanese, Punjabi, Tagalog and Vietnamese. Other versions are in development.

Series of 3 posters that tell the “story” of family accepting and rejecting behaviors and show how these behaviors contribute to serious health risks including suicidal behavior and drug use and how they help protect against risk and promote well-being. Each poster includes common accepting and rejecting behaviors that are expressed across diverse cultures. The posters are available to download free in 4 sizes and include the camera-ready art to take to a commercial printer.

DEVELOPING THE FIELD OF FAMILY SUPPORT FOR LGBTQ CHILDREN & YOUTH

Providing Services & Support

Although it may seem surprising to many people who are concerned about the health and well-being of children and youth, before the Family Acceptance Project was established 20 years ago, no one had studied LGBTQ young people and families. As a result, many mainstream services, including government agencies, have not included services and support for diverse families with LGBTQ children. As the Family Acceptance Project has shown, families can learn to support their LGBTQ children when services are provided in ways that are culturally relevant for them. Culturally appropriate services are needed to help families learn to support their LGBTQ children to reduce serious health risks, strengthen families and support positive development. Use this website to learn about these issues to provide support for LGBTQ children, youth and families – urgently needed now as LGBTQ young people and families are coping with the losses from Covid-19.

FAITH COMMUNITIES AND THE WELL-BEING OF LGBTQ YOUTH

A publication for faith communities and families on supporting LGBTQ youth to prevent mental health risks and to increase support, published by the Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry. GAP is a professional organization of thought leaders in the field of psychiatry who provide guidance on addressing critical emerging mental health issues.

NATIONAL LGBTQ RESOURCES & SUPPORTS

Selected resources listed on this website focus on providing services and support to reduce mental health risks and promote well-being for LGBTQ young people.

Maternal Depression Support Groups and Educational  Resources

On-line

Peer Support Groups & More! Postpartum

Support International (PSI) Weekly Support Groups: PSI facilitates a wide variety of postpartum support groups every week for diverse populations, and all family members.

PSI also staffs a non-emergency helpline for education and support:  The number is 1-800-944-4773. PSI also offers a free peer mentor program where Mons or Dads can work 1-1 with a peer mentor once per week for up to 6 months.

Link to webpage for specific support groups, dates and times: 

https://www.postpartum.net/get-help/psi-online-support-meetings/

West Coast On-line Peer Support Forum:

Postpartum Progress Hosts Regional, On-line Forums for Maternal Depression and/or Anxiety:

These regional forums are moderated by volunteer Warrior Mom® Ambassadors who have completed Mental Health First Aid training.

Link to webpage to select a particular region, including West Coast (includes Oregon):

https://postpartumprogress.com/postpartum-progdress-online-peer-support

Oregon On-line Peer Support Groups: 

Free peer support groups and discussion forums, moderated by, “Well Mama,” for mothers and families on a wide variety of topics related to pregnancy and postpartum mental health.

Link to register:  https://www.wellmamaoregon.com/support/

 On-line Maternal Depression Education Resources:  

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): NIMH provides a comprehensive, downloadable educational manual about Postpartum (Perinatal) Depression. 

Link to the webpage to download this educational material: 

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/perinatal-depression/index.shtml

Oregon Health Authority (OHA):

OHA provides a wide variety of educational materials on pregnancy and postpartum depression for both mothers and family members.

Link to this information: 

https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/HealthyPeopleFamilies/Women/MaternalMentalHealth/Pages/index.aspx

Resources for Families and Children Facing Tragic Events

Racial Stress – Racism – Hate Crimes

Helpful Resources to Address the Mass Shooting in Uvalde, Texas
Many thanks to Michelle Zabel, MSS, Assistant Dean, and Director, The Institute for Innovation and Implementation, for compiling this list of resources in response to the horrific mass shooting in Texas earlier this week.

Helping Young People Cope With Mental Health Challenges
Vox Media’s NowThis is linking arms with Ken Burns and PBS to share an upcoming documentary titled “Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness.” Scenes from the forthcoming film will be shared across NowThis social platforms throughout Mental Health Awareness Month in May. NowThis will host a live TikTok conversation about the topic, as well. The goal, Burns said, is “to get this material out to young people around the country.” The film itself will debut at the end of June on PBS.

Uplift by Youth Era: Teaching Youth Peer Support Skills
More than 500 youth signed up for the most recent Uplift event! Studied by the University of Oxford and co-designed with young adults, Uplift by Youth Era is the future of peer support. Empower a young person in your life to be who they need, and apply to join the next Uplift training in June!

Randolph “Randy” Muck September 14, 1955 to April 21, 2021 in Memoriam
On the first anniversary of his death, several of us who knew and worked with Randy write this tribute to remember and honor his impact on so many people. Randy provided much-needed leadership from within the federal government to develop and disseminate evidence-based substance use treatments designed for adolescents and their families. He was successful because he had a rare ability to connect with all the groups important to improving adolescent treatment: provider organizations, schools, juvenile justice, counselors, federal agency decision-makers, researchers, private foundations, and most importantly—adolescents and their families. He saw how these groups could align their different interests and collaborate. This, in turn, helped youth, families, and systems of care in ways that continue to have an impact.

HHS Awards Nearly $25 Million to Expand Access to School-Based Health Services
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), recently announced nearly $25 million will be made available to improve and strengthen access to school-based health services in communities across the country. Awards will support local partnerships between schools and health centers to provide children and youth with the comprehensive physical and mental health care they need.

Investing in Prevention Makes Good Financial Sense
Primary prevention—including screening and intervention before negative health outcomes occur—is relatively inexpensive. The higher-risk behaviors it is designed to reduce are so costly to the healthcare system that it is staggeringly wasteful not to make sure that screening and treatment referrals are readily implemented and faithfully reimbursed by insurers and that interventions are convenient for parents and their children.

PAX Good Behavior Game
Speaking of prevention…
The PAX Good Behavior Game is an evidence-based universal preventive intervention applied by teachers in the classroom. This evidence-based practice consists of research-based strategies with origins in behavioral science, neuroscience, and cultural wisdom that operate together to improve children’s self-regulation. Teachers implement these strategies as part of their daily routines in carrying out tasks such as getting students’ attention, selecting students for tasks, transitioning from one task to the next, working as part of a team, limiting problematic behavior, and reinforcing pro-social behavior.

HHS Launches New Maternal Mental Health Hotline
The Maternal Mental Health Hotline is a new, confidential, toll-free hotline for expecting and new moms experiencing mental health challenges. Those who contact the hotline can receive a range of support, including brief interventions from trained culturally and trauma-informed counselors and referrals to both community-based and telehealth providers as needed. Callers also will receive evidence-based information and referrals to support groups and other community resources.

Six Things You Need To Know About Music and Health
A growing body of research suggests that listening to or performing music affects the brain in ways that may help promote health and manage disease symptoms. More justification for the plethora of music videos posted in Friday Update!

Know Your Rights: Parity for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Benefits
This brochure gives an overview of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. It lists some common limits placed on mental health and substance use disorder benefits and services.

Going Digital: Behavioral Health Tech
Aaahhhh!!! Less than 20 days!!! Well? Have you registered for the 2022 Going Digital: Behavioral Health Tech summit on June 8-9th yet? Can’t make it? Wondering if you can access all of the sessions with our hundreds of speakers after June 8-9th? YES, but ONLY if you register in advance. So, you should probably get on that.

Building a More Equitable Juvenile Justice System for Everyone
Racial inequities regarding the policing of children, and the subsequent disparities in their treatment within the juvenile justice system, have been problems in this country for far too long. It is encouraging that many states and counties are not only recognizing these issues but are taking action. The CSG Justice Center is committed to providing research-driven, data-informed solutions to our partners to continue building safer and stronger communities for everyone, especially our youth.

Disruptions to School and Home Life Among High School Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic — Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey, United States, January–June 2021
Young people have experienced disruptions to school and home life since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020. From January to June 2021, CDC conducted the Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey (ABES), an online survey of a probability-based, nationally representative sample of U.S. public- and private-school students in grades 9–12. ABES data were used to estimate the prevalence of disruptions and adverse experiences during the pandemic, including parental and personal job loss, homelessness, hunger, emotional or physical abuse by a parent or other adult at home, receipt of telemedicine, and difficulty completing schoolwork. Prevalence estimates are presented for all students by sex, race and ethnicity, grade, sexual identity, and difficulty completing schoolwork.

CDC Survey Finds the Pandemic Had a Big Impact on Teens’ Mental Health
According to a survey published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than four in 10 teens report feeling “persistently sad or hopeless” during the COVID-19 pandemic. Girls were twice as likely to experience mental health troubles compared to boys. And LGBTQ students were hit the hardest. The CDC’s findings were gathered from online surveys from a sample of 7,700 US students during the first six months of 2021.

New Initiative to Define Policy Recommendations for Embedding Equity into 988
The Kennedy-Satcher Center for Mental Health Equity & Beacon Health Options are joining forces to create and develop an equitable crisis response for the future of behavioral health service delivery ahead of the July 2022 launch of 988.

State Policymakers Can Support Equitable School-based Telemental Health Services
This brief presents five ways state policymakers can support equitable school-based telemental health services, with recommendations based on relevant policy context, existing research, and—in some cases—feedback from interviews with five TMH providers who testified to on-the-ground experience with these interventions.

• SAMHSA Disaster/Distress Hotline: 1-800-985-5990
• SAMHSA Incidents of Mass Violence
• SAMHSA: Tips for Talking with and Helping Children and Youth Cope After a Disaster or Traumatic Event

• CDC Infographic: 6 Guiding Principles to a Trauma-Informed Approach
• CDC Helping Children Cope with Emergencies
• NCSMH Supporting Students, Staff, Families & Communities Impacted by Violence
• NIMH Helping Children & Adolescents Cope with Traumatic Events
• Talking to Children About Terrorist Attacks & School & Community Shootings in the News
• CDC Caring for Children in a Disaster: Tools & Resources
• NCTSN School Shooting Resources
• Sesame Street in Communities: Community & Gun Violence

• AAP Talking to Children About Tragedies & Other News Events
• AAP Talking with Children About Disasters
• CDC Helping Children Cope During & After a Disaster

• AAP Helping Children Cope & Adjust After a Disaster
• AAP Pediatric Preparedness Resource Kit

Helping Children with Tragic Events in the News

What do we tell our children?

How do we reassure them of their own safety?
At The Dougy Center in Portland, Oregon, we’ve provided grief support groups for children, teens, young adults and their parents or adult caregivers since 1982.

Based on our experience, here are some things for adults to keep in mind as you struggle with how to talk with children following tragic events, such as natural disasters, plane crashes, or school shootings.

1. Don’t project your fears onto your children. They take their cues from the adults around them.
You can’t hear the news about children being murdered or communities devastated by natural disasters without thinking about how you’d feel if it happened to your family, friends, or hometown. The outpouring of care and empathy for the families who lost loved ones will be powerful, and…we all know it could have been our friends, our child, our family and community members who died or were injured.

Identifying with the senselessness and randomness makes us all feel more vulnerable. But we should remember that children don’t always see things the same way that adults do, and it won’t be helpful to them for us to fall apart. They need to see that we care, that we feel terrible about this tragedy, and that we will do everything we can to keep them safe. They will take their cues from our behavior.

It’s okay to show emotion. We can model for children that feeling sad, scared, and upset is normal after tragedies. But we don’t want to overwhelm them with our emotions, or put them in the position of having to ‘parent,’ or take care of, the adults around them. Make sure you also model taking care of yourself, by sharing with trusted and supportive adult friends, eating (and drinking) healthfully.

2. Try to limit their access to the recurring news and exposure to the tragedy over and over.
Over-exposure to the graphic and emotional news can be overwhelming for children and can cause unnecessary anxiety and fear. Some children who repeatedly watched the footage of planes crashing into the towers on 9/11 thought it was happening again and again. Some children (and some adults) may have difficulty getting graphic scenes and images out of their minds. Too much exposure can fuel their fear, so don’t let them sit and watch the news over and over. Better yet, set the example of not doing so yourself as well.

3. Understand that you can’t completely shield them from what happened.
It would be next to impossible to hide these events from children, as much as we wish we could. You might be able to shield your own child in your home, for example, by not turning on (or owning) a television, but you can’t protect your children from hearing about it from other kids. The fact is, they will hear about it, so although they don’t “need” to know about it, pretending we can shield them is magical thinking.

That said, you don’t need to give them more information than they can handle, or more than they’re asking for. A simple, “Did they talk about what happened in _____ today at school?” would be a good starter. They need to know that you’re not trying to hide the truth from them, that you’re open to talking about it, but that you’re also not forcing them to do so.

4. Model truth-telling and build trust with your children by letting them hear things, even hard things, from you directly.
Eight days after the 9/11 attacks, I was meeting in small groups with pre-school workers in New York City, talking about how to respond to the young children in their care about the events. A man asked to speak to me privately after one of the trainings, and asked for my advice around his 7-year-old daughter. For the last week, since September 12th, she had been having stomach aches and difficulty sleeping. He said it was not tied to the events of 9/11 because, “We don’t have a television.” As his story unfolded it was evident that he did not want to have to explain to his child why people would do such horrible things, a normal dilemma that we face as parents and adults. This child was experiencing physical reactions, as it turned out, not primarily because of her reaction to the events of 9/11, but because she was unable to share her fears and concerns and questions in her own home, faced with her parents’ denial.

Here are some principles to keep in mind as you talk with children:

1. There is no one typical reaction one can or should expect from children.
Their responses will vary all over the ‘emotional’ map, from seeming disinterest to nightmares, eating issues, and anxiety. How any specific child will respond will depend on their age, previous experience with death and loss, and their personality style. Fearful children will tend to worry; quiet children may keep their feelings to themselves; those who want to appear unfazed may exhibit a sense of bravado or lack of caring. Of course, children directly affected – those who had a family member die; those who witnessed the tragedy; those who had friends die – will tend to have longer-term reactions and needs. Watch for changes in behavior, or concerning trends. While it would be normal to have heightened anxiety and sleeplessness, any concerning behavior or troubling symptoms should be taken seriously, and if warranted, professional help sought.

2. Many children will have an increased sense of fear about their safety.
Understandably. So will many adults. After a shooting at an Oregon mall in December 2012, the news outlets were filled with people who said they’d never take their children there again. Others said they’d return as soon as it opened in order to support the stores and employees who had experienced the traumatic events, and whose livelihoods were going to suffer as a result of the several day closure. Some runners in the Boston Marathon vowed to return; others said they would never do so again.

While we can’t guarantee to our children that nothing bad will ever happen to them, we can provide assurance that these events are relatively rare, and that we will do everything we can to keep them safe. Children may have many questions about the events, particularly about natural disasters. Answer their questions with language that fits their developmental stage. It’s okay if you don’t know the answer to a question. If it’s a question that might have an answer, offer to look up more information. You can also ask children what they think the answer is as they often have thoughts and ideas they want to share with you. In the case of natural disasters, if your child is fearful of something like that happening in your community, talk with them about the safety plan that you have in place for your family and home. You can also look into what community safety measures are in place and whatever elements are relevant with your children. Many children will be reassured knowing that there are specific, tangible things they and your family can do if something occurs. Some examples include, picking a meeting place, keeping flashlights in every bedroom, talking about where you will keep emergency water and food.

3. Children want, need, and deserve the truth.
In over 30 years of providing grief support to thousands of children and teens at The Dougy Center for Grieving Children & Families, we have never heard a child say, “I’m glad I was lied to.” Many, however, struggle with anger and lack of trust toward parents or other adults who lied to them. When we don’t tell the truth, they learn that we cannot be trusted. As difficult as it can be at times, and as horrendous as the truth may be, children want, need, and deserve the truth. Being able to talk openly and honestly with your children about tragic events and other losses, creates a foundation of trust, enabling them to come to you in the future with their questions, fears, and concerns.

Physical Effects

Emotional Effects

Spiritual Effects

Potential reactions to racial stress or trauma

Insecure Feelings

Feelings of shame and lack of confidence due to feeling that a situation cannot be changed.

Lack of Trust

Feeling detached or a lack of trust for others due to experiencing multiple losses or letdowns. This can make it very difficult to seek out help and to identify potential safe sources of support.

Triggers

Reminders of the event, such as particular people or situations, can also trigger strong emotional or physical responses (e.g., crying or rapid heartbeat).

Difficulty Controlling Emotions

Difficulty controlling emotional responses (going from “zero to one hundred”) can occur as the body helps you adapt to potentially unsafe situations, making you feel constantly on “alert.”

Legislation
Much of the debate today is around gun control. Below are links to two bills currently pending in Congress.

HR 1446 Enhanced Background Check Act of 2021

HR 8 Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021