Mental Health and Support Resources
The following information is provided to assist parents, guardians, and caregivers as they seek to support their child’s/student’s mental health.
Community Groups
Ballard Clinic Group (ballardclinic.com):
- LGBTQ+ & GENDER EXPANSIVE GROUP for MS and HS Students (Edina, MN) This group is an affirming, non-judgmental space for queer and gender expansive teens to come together to process experiences unique to their community. With a therapist Erika Nelson, MA, LPCC facilitating, teens are able to explore and process topics unique to the LGBTQIA+ community. Topics may include (but are not limited to): gender or sexuality exploration, navigating interpersonal relationships, how to cope with stigmas, coming out, transitioning, identity expression, and being an advocate for yourself and your community.
WHEN & WHERE: Middle School and High School Group: Saturdays 12:00pm-1:00pm weekly from October 14, 2023 – December 23, 2023 (skipping November 25th; 10 sessions available) at Ballard Clinic Edina *Please contact our office if you are interested in joining the next group in January. Please call Ballard Clinic’s business office at 612-787-2344 - Trauma-Informed Yoga Group at Ballard Clinic
Join our Trauma-Informed Yoga Group, led by our experienced therapists, Sara Zimmerman MSW, LICSW, and Chelsea Schrunk-Crivello MSW, LICSW. Designed to provide a safe and nurturing space, this 6-week group starting November 4th, will offer a unique blend of psychosocial education on trauma and gentle yoga practices, aimed at fostering self-awareness and promoting healing. No prior yoga experience required!
Each session will include:
In-depth understanding of trauma and its impact on the body
Safe and effective coping strategies for trauma symptoms
Guided gentle yoga practices to enhance body awareness and regulation
WHEN & WHERE: Saturdays from 9:00-10:00 am, November 4th – December 16th (November 25th OFF) at Ballard Clinic Edina, Suite 195. please call Ballard Clinic’s business office at 612-787-2344
Chill Skills Club (Ages 12-15) Plymouth Psych Group
To reserve a spot, please call (763) 559-1640. This new group offers an independent peer and professional mentored social club for youth in a safe, non-judgmental environment. This is a weekly opportunity for middle and early high schoolers who have the desire to interact with others, socialize, and build relationships.
Participants will learn in a FUN, creative, structured environment around the utilization of games. Therapeutic elements are woven in to help players work on: social interaction • understanding • listening • empathy • non-verbal social cues • identifying emotions • mindfulness
MN PEERS
Social groups through MN PEERS. Please note: PEERS is not a “friendship” group. It is a program developed to teach teens & young adults the necessary skills to make and keep friends.
Virtual support group available at Rogers Behavioral Health
Rogers in Minneapolis invites anyone in the local community to attend a virtual Parent and Caregiver Support Group for those who have a loved one struggling with OCD or anxiety. Meets the third Tuesday of each month, 5 to 6 pm. Please RSVP to Twincities-supportgroups@
Non-Emergency Mental Health Option for Children/Adolescents:
PrairieCare Mental Health Screening – Call 952-826-8475
Mental Health Emergency Departments for Children/Adolescents:
West Bank – M Health Fairview Emergency Department – 612-672-6600 – 2132 S. Sixth St., Minneapolis, MN 55454
Abbott Northwestern Emergency Department – 612-863-5327 – 800 E 28th St, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Metro Area Mental Health Crisis Response Phone Numbers
Hennepin County Crisis Line: 612-348-2233
Carver/Scott County Crisis Line: 952-442-7601
Dakota County Crisis Line: 952-891-7171
Ramsey County Crisis Line: 651-226-7878
Anoka County Crisis Line: 763-755-3801
Washington County Crisis Line: 651-777-5222
Minnesota Crisis Text Line: “Home” to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor
Suicide Hotlines
National Hope Hotline for Youth Crisis and Suicide: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
The Trevor Project: (866) 488-7386 This is crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24.
Mental Health Resources
Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health
Association for Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy- Therapist Finder
NAMI – National Alliance for Mental Health
ATTACh Parent Online Support (Association for the Training on Trauma and Attachment in Children)
Related Articles
Back to School and Work Anxiety
Back to School Anxiety During Covid
Helping Kids Back Into the School Routine
Tip Sheet from Child Mind Institute- Tips for Managing Stress and Anxiety
Tips for Communicating with Your Teen
From Child Mind Institute- Tips for Managing Stress and Anxiety
What to Say to Kids When the News Is Scary
Helping Children Cope with Frightening News
How to Talk to Children After a Traumatic Event
Helping Children & Adolescents Cope with Traumatic Events
Talking to Children about Racial Bias
Talking to Young Children about Race and Racism: A Discussion Guide (PBS)
How White Parents Can Talk To Their Children About Race
Parent / Caregiver Support Groups
ANXIETY AND OCD: Rogers Behavioral Health in Eden Prairie and St. Paul
– Virtual Parent and Caregiver Support Group for OCD and Anxiety.
– Rogers in Minneapolis invites anyone in the local community to attend a virtual Parent and Caregiver Support Group for those who have a loved one struggling with OCD or anxiety. Meets the third Tuesday of each month, 6:30 to 8 pm. Please RSVP to [email protected] if you plan to attend.
ATTACh Parent Online Support (Association for the Training on Trauma and Attachment in Children)
https://www.attach.org (scroll to the calendar at bottom of the page to see parent support options)
Psychology Consultation Specialists offers a monthly ADHD Parent Support Group
This is a virtual support group at this time. Please call 763-559-7050 to reserve your spot. $10/per family. Space is limited.
| Key Warning Signs of Mental Illness and Suicide Prevention Best Practices in Children and Youth – MACMH
Webinar Presenter: Deborah Cavitt, MS, Project Director – Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health (MACMH) Key Warning Signs of Early Onset Mental Illness and Suicide Prevention Best Practices meets the state requirements for educator relicensure. Attendees will learn strategies, interventions, accommodations, and modifications to help students flourish emotionally and socially in school settings and in the community. The presenter describes signs and symptoms of mental illness in children and youth, including developmental differences from infant and early childhood through transition age youth. Resources will be shared to help educators, families and other professionals connect children and youth with appropriate levels of care when needed. A comprehensive school wide toolkit for prevention, intervention, and postvention of suicide will be discussed and shared with participants. Webinar / Recording Available for $45 – register at link above Back to School and Work Anxiety Helping Kids Back Into the School Routine
ADHD Resource Center
Anxiety Disorders Resouce Center
Cellphone and Social Media Resources |
Many parents have found the Bark App helpful in monitoring their child’s phone use. Many phone carriers also provide assistance with phone/text monitoring for minors.
Mental Health Book Recommendations
Book Recommendations: Anxiety & OCD
Your Child From Anxiety by Tamar Chansky
You and Your Anxious Child: Free Your Child from Fears and Worries and Create a Joyful Family Life by Anne Marie Albano PhD
Freeing Your Child From Obsessive Compulsive Disorder by Tamar Chansky
Talking Back to OCD by John March
If Your Adolescent Has an Anxiety Disorder: An Essential Resource for Parents by Edna B. Foa & Linda Wasmer Andrews
Helping Your Child Overcome Separation Anxiety or School Refusal: A Step-by-Step Guide For Parents by Andrew R. Eisen, Linda B. Engler, & Joshua Sparrow
Talking Back to OCD: The Program that Helps Kids and Teens Say “No Way” – and Parents Say “Way to Go” by John March and Christine Benton
Book Recommendations: ADHD
Taking Charge of ADHD: The Complete, Authoritative Guide for Parents by Russell Barkley
The Misunderstood Child by Larry B. Silver
The Explosive Child by Ross Greene
Smart but Scattered Teens by Richard Guare, Peg Dawron, Colin, Guare
100 Questions & Answers About Your Child’s ADHD: Preschool to College 2nd Edition by Ruth D. Nass
Kids in the Syndrome Mix of ADHD, LD, Autism Spectrum, Tourette’s, Anxiety and More!: The One Stop Guide for Parents, Teachers and Other Professionals by Martin K. Kurscher
Attending to the Mental Health of Young Children
The ongoing pandemic and distressing events in the world will continue to take a toll on students. They may have experienced the loss of friends as they move from school or child care to staying safe at home. They may have had loved ones who were sick or lost a job. They may have witnessed violence in person, by listening to others, or watching television. These experiences can cause fears and anxiety. Young children are just learning to express their feelings with accuracy. Because of this, they let you know how they are feeling through their behaviors.
The Effects of Trauma
The website Effects of Trauma: Managing Challenging Behaviors, by Head Start/ECCLKC, provides additional information about children who were exposed to trauma and ways to support them.
Recognizing Trauma
Students may react to stressful situations in one or more of the following ways:
- Change in regular sleep patterns including nightmares
- Change in eating habits
- Becoming clingy, whiny, angry, or sad
- Physical complaints without illness
- Fears (of the dark, being alone, or strangers)
3 Levels of Stress
When children experience stress that is excessive and prolonged it can interfere with their developing brains. The Center on the Developing Child describes three levels of stress:
- Positive—when stress helps a child learn to cope with challenges.
- Tolerable—when a child has a supportive environment and relationships with adults.
- Toxic—when stress is prolonged and there is no adult emotionally available for support.
Understanding Stress and Resilience in Children
Children who are more resilient in the face of adversity are better able to cope with negative situations that arise throughout their lives. One critical factor in building a child’s resilience is the presence of adults who support them during hardships.
Relationships with family and community members who provide warmth and support during challenging situations help a child learn strategies for coping. Helping children learn these strategies early can have lifelong impacts.
This video series, also from Head Start, explains how high levels of stress can impact a child’s well-being.