Emotional Health & Wellness

Berkley Schools Emotional Support
& Wellness Resources

Hotlines

Call 911 if you or the person you are helping is in immediate danger

24-hour Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255 (TALK) or text “TALK” to 741741
24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE)
24-hour Michigan Mental Health Hotline: 1-888-535-6136
24-hour New Oakland Family Centers Crisis Line: 877-800-1650
24-hour Oakland Community Health Network & Common Ground Emergency Assessment & Eligibility Helpline 800-231-1127
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a 24/7 toll-free nationwide hotline, made up of a network of independently operated and funded local call centers (200+) across the country. Dial 988.

Resources

Care Solace - Free Mental Health Resource

Care Solace graphic with text that reads "It's okay to ask for help." The message informs that Care Solace is available for students, staff, and family members 24/7/365. Background and text are in shades of purple.

Berkley School District is committed to the health, safety and well-being of our students, staff and families. As another layer of our mental health services the District has joined with Care Solace to provide a free mental health resource to connect our families with care. If you or a family member are looking for help with mental health or substance use, Care Solace will quickly connect you to community providers matched to your needs.

Call 888-515-0595 at any time or search on your own at the specialized Berkley Schools Care Solace website.

How Does Care Solace Work?

With a network of over 560,000 providers and services, Care Solace will help families and staff find the right help at the right time, 24/7/365, at no cost to you. They will connect you with providers accepting all medical insurances, including Medicaid, Medicare, and sliding scale options for those without insurance. This service is available for the uninsured, under insured and insured families and individuals.

Families and staff can access Care Solace services in three ways:

Call 888-515-0595 at any time. Multilingual support is available 24/7/365. A dedicated Care Companion will help every step of the way to research options, secure appointments and follow up to make sure it is a good fit.
Search anonymously to get matched with an extensive list of care providers
Contact your school health professional, and they will submit a referral on your behalf.

How Do Berkley Schools Staff Interact with Care Solace?

The Berkley School District Student Service administrators have a dashboard to know how many times anyone from the Berkley Schools community uses Care Solace. Those details are numbers only, and don’t include patient information.

If one of our mental health staff members refers a student or staff member to Care Solace, they will perform a warm handoff. Our staff will input the person’s information into Care Solace, and will be able to track if that referral has used the services, followed up as requested and therefore can support them along that mental health journey. Patient/provider confidentiality is always maintained.

If You Need Immediate Assistance

If you have a life-threatening emergency, please call 9-1-1 or The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8. Care Solace is not an emergency response service or mental health services provider.

Community Resources

The following community resources are listed below.

Early On Oakland

Community Resource Guide - Early On Oakland

211

211 is a free, confidential referral and information helpline and website that connects people of all ages and from all communities to the essential health and human services they need, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A toll-free call to 211 connects you to a community resource specialist in your area who can put you in touch with local organizations that provide critical services that can improve—and save—lives.

You’ll find information about:

supplemental food and nutrition programs
shelter and housing options and utilities assistance
emergency information and disaster relief
employment and education opportunities
services for veterans
health care, vaccination and health epidemic information
addiction prevention and rehabilitation programs
reentry help for ex-offenders
support groups for individuals with mental illnesses or special needs
a safe, confidential path out of physical and/or emotional domestic abuse

Call 211 and speak with a live, highly trained service professional in your area from any cell phone or landline. All calls are private and confidential.

MI Bridges

MI Bridges is a streamlined and dynamic application for multiple programs. It can help you access more than 30,000 state and local services across the state.

Watch the following video to learn more.

Food Assistance

Forgotten Harvest

If you're in need of food assistance, the Forgotten Harvest "Find Food" section of their website is a great resource. Visit their website, type in your zip code and find locations with food distribution near you.

Job Seekers, Unemployment & Legal Assistance

Job Seekers & Unemployment Assistance

Oakland County Michigan Works! Offices - Find a location
Unemployment Help - Oakland County
Employers Who are Hiring - Oakland County
Worker Relief Resources - Oakland County

Legal Assistance

Lakeshore Legal Aid: Lakeshore Legal Aid is a not-for-profit law firm providing a range of free civil legal services to people who are low income, seniors, and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in our communities.
Self Help Legal Assistance - Oakland County

Housing & Basic Needs

OLHSA: OLHSA supports Oakland and Livingston County residents that are looking for aid in removing the burdens of poverty. OLHSA creates opportunities to be empowered and thrive in the community with individually tailored, wrap-around assistance for all individuals and families in need of help.
Help Paying Rent, Mortgage or Utilities - Oakland County
Rent, Mortgage & Utility Relief - Oakland County
Housing Counseling & Homeless Services - Oakland County
Low Cost Internet Options: If you are in need of low cost internet here are options for you to explore that offer assistance to families.
- Xfinity has an Internet Essentials plan for $9.95/month.
- AT&T has an affordable internet plan for $10/month.
- EveryoneOn has a locator tool to see what low cost plans and devices you may be eligible for

Oakland Community Health Network

Oakland Community Health Network: Directory of publicly funded substance use treatment and prevention programs
Oakland Community Health Network website

Comprehensive Supports & Referrals for Outside Counseling/Support

Referrals for Outside Counseling/Support

Please understand this list is intended for you as a reference. It is not specifically recommending or endorsing any one particular person or agency.

Counseling Services

Perspectives of Troy (Child and adult services, individual and group therapy): 248-244-8644
Oakland Family Services (Variety of services including child and adult services, chemical dependency treatment) Works on a sliding fee scale. Berkley: 248-544-4004
- Oakland Family Services Day One Virtual Counseling Services
Michigan Family Institute (Focuses on child and family therapy. Has great resources for parents) Southfield: 248-593-4784
Relationship Institute (Focuses on the relationships in our lives and how to make them better, works with parents/children) Royal Oak: 248-546-0407
Maple Clinic (Wide variety of child, adolescent, and adult services. Has psychiatrist on staff) 2075 W. Big Beaver Road, Troy, Michigan 48084: 248-646-6659
Murray Center: 29500 Southfield Rd Ste 100, Southfield, MI 48076. 248-765-1795, email the Murray Center
Easter Seals (Adult and child services, access to county supports), Southfield office, (248) 483-7804
Judson Center (Mental Health and Autism Support). Royal Oak: (248) 549-4339
Wayne State School of Social Work Caregiver Helpline: counseling, resources and referrals to individuals caring for an older adult. This hotline service is free, completely confidential, and available 40 hours a week through December 30, 2020.

Pediatric Neurologist

Michigan Institute for Neurological Disorders (MIND) Clinic, 28595 Orchard Lake Road Ste. 200, Farmington Hills, MI: 248-553-0010
Children’s Hospital of MI Department of Neurology, 3901 Beaubien, Detroit, MI: 313-745-5785
Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 W. Grand Boulevard, Detroit, MI: 800-436-7939
Henry Ford West Bloomfield, 6777 W. Maple Rd., West Bloomfield, MI: 800-436-7939
Beaumont Pediatric Neurology Center, 3533 W. 13 Mile Rd., Ste. N120, Royal Oak, MI: 248-551-7370

Social Skills

Beaumont Center for Human Development, Southfield: 248-691-4744
Kauffman Center, West Bloomfield: 248-737-3430
Kids Empowered, Troy: 248-757-0912 or email Kids Empowered
Perspectives of Troy: 248-244-8644

Emergency Mental Health/Suicide Evaluations for Children and Adults

Common Ground Sanctuary: Resource and Crisis Center 248-451-2600
Oakland Family Services: Berkley, 248-858-7766
New Oakland Crisis Team: 248-855-1540

ADHD

Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD), Birmingham, MI: 248-988-6716

LGBTQ Support/Resources

A ffirmations, Ferndale: 248-398-7105

Grief Counseling

Kamp Kangaroo: Hospice of Michigan
Perspectives of Troy (adult and youth grief services): 248-244-8644
Sandcastles: Henry Ford (pediatric and adult support)
Gilda’s Club, Royal Oak

Things to consider when selecting a mental health provider

Payment method. Do they accept your insurance? If not, call your insurance company. At times, if your primary care doctor makes a referral in writing, insurance will often cover some if not all of the cost (minus the deductible). Also, many places are waiving deductibles for teletherapy for the remainder of 2020. Check with your insurance company.
What is the wait time for an appointment?
If your child is the client, what kind of input/communication will you as the parent have with the therapist? Will there be a joint session?
Is there a psychiatrist on staff if medication is deemed necessary and agreed upon as the best course of treatment?
Remember, it takes time to build a relationship and trust with someone. Therapists need to ask tough questions.

Sexual Harassment & Sexual Assault Resources

What is Sexual Harassment?

Sexual harassment is unwanted sexual remarks or behaviors. It can be verbal, physical, or visual.

What is Sexual Assault?

Sexual assault is any sexual act that one person chooses to do to another person without consent (permission) through physical force, threats, or pressure (verbal or emotional).

To learn more, visit the Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault Information Guide provided by the State of Michigan.

Calming & Self Care Strategies

The following resources can be used to find calm in your or your child's life. We encourage you to explore all options listed below.

District-wide Calm Room
Bubble Wrap
Calming music for kids
Yoga for Kids
Cosmic Kids Yoga
Rainstorm
Nature Sounds
Relaxing Music and Underwater Scenes
Guided Meditations and Scripts from UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center
Progress Muscle Relaxation - a stress reduction technique
Self-Compassion Guided Meditations and Exercises from Dr. Kristen Neff
Square Breathing for Stress Reduction
The Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley
Mood Meter Tool
7 Guided Meditations for Beginners (Videos)
Resource on Zones of Regulation and Self-Control Strategies for kids
Guided Relaxation Meditation Scripts for kids
Trauma Informed Mindfulness Practices to Support Children in Times of Crisis
Feelings Thermometer

Mindfulness Resources

Explore the resources below to add mindfulness practices into your daily routine.

Breathing Techniques - Videos

Mindfulness Moments & Meditation - Videos

Anxiety & Resilience

Practicing resiliency and managing anxiety is important for mental wellness. The resources below are good for students of all ages.

Tips to Manage Anxiety and Stress: Coping tips and fitness tips to manage anxiety

9 Things Children Need to be Resilient

Signs of Depression During the Pandemic

Self-Care in the Time of Coronavirus

Anxiety and Coping With the Coronavirus

7 ways to help kids cope with coronavirus (COVID-19) anxiety

Helping Children with Anxiety About COVID-19

Story Time with Lynn “A Little Peaceful Spot” by Diane Alber

Circle of Control Worksheet for Children

My Emotional Cup Worksheet

Coping with a Disaster or Traumatic Event: Taking Care of Your Emotional Health

Helping Children During a Crisis

Teaching Tolerance: Student Tasks - Do Something ( 30 tasks based on grade bands that teachers can have students do to process trauma, violence, and social justice)
- K-2 - Collage of Concerns (student rubric)
- 6-12- Writing Letters for Change (student planning guide, rubric)
Student Processing Guide (Processing the Events in Washington, DC)
How to Talk to Kids About Difficult Subjects
An Activity Book for African American Families: Helping Children Cope with Crisis
Explaining the News to Our Kids
What to Say to Kids When the News is Scary
Talking to Children About Tragedies & Other News Events
Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers, from the National Association of School Psychologists
How to Talk to Your Child About the News, from Kids Health

Grief & Loss

Grief and Loss Books for Children

Top 25 Grief and Loss books for children - Huffington Post
7 touching books to help kids understand death and grief - Scholastic
Maybe Tomorrow - Charolette Agell
The Memory Box - Joanna Rowland
Grief is Like a Snowflake - Julia Cook
I Remember Miss Perry - Pat Brisson
That Summer - Tony Johnston

How to Talk to Children About Death

Be Honest and Concrete: Tips for Talking to Children about Death - NPR
How to Explain Death to Children - Crossroads Hospice
Helping Children Deal with Grief - Child Mind Institute

Racism, Inclusiveness and Diversity

The following is an excerpt from a message Superintendent Dennis McDavid sent to the community on June 2, 2020.

Our ideal as a nation, as stated in the Declaration of Independence, is that everyone has a chance to succeed, that everyone is “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights…” When we fall short of that ideal for one citizen we fall short of it for all of us. As a District we will continue to strive toward that “more perfect union.”

We ask our community to join us in continuing to lift and support all of our students and denounce hate and hateful behavior. We will continue to learn, continue to model love for all our students and continue to focus on our implicit bias so we can be better for all our students every day. It is incumbent on all of us to continue to create the community we want for all of our children.

Below are some resources for you to use in talking with your children and others about racism, diversity and inclusion.

Articles

American Psychological Association: Resources for Parents, Uplifting Youth Through Healthy Communication About Race
Teaching Tolerance: Race and Identity
Race Conscious: Raising Race Conscious Children
Embrace Race
How to talk to your children about protests and racism - CNN

Videos

Literature Resources

Family Resources

Videos

How I use Minecraft to help kids with autism (TEDTalk)

Articles

Book Corner

LGBTQ+ Resources

Resources & Toolkits

Creating Safe Space for GLBTQ Youth: A Toolkit
Some Considerations When Working with LGBT Students of Color
LGBTQ+ Bullying: Making Schools Safe for LGBTQ+ Community
I Think I Might Be.. Resources by Advocates for Youth: These resources are written by LGBTQ young people, and provide answers for young people thinking about their sexual orientation and young people who find that the gender they were assigned at birth does not fit them.
Creating Safer Spaces for LGBTQ Youth Toolkit: Advocates for Youth
The Genderbread Person - Printable

Organizations to Support LGBTQ Youth

CenterLink Founded with the mission to build sustainable LGBTQ community centers, this organization now has over 200 locations in 46 states and five countries. Aside from strengthening local LGBTQ communities, the organization also provides networking, technical assistance and training, and capacity building services.
GLAAD With a national focus on leading conversations about equality for the LGBTQ community and informing the media narrative, this organization works with news and entertainment media of all formats and communications and digital strategy outlets to ensure the public is provided with powerful stories about the LGBTQ community that advocates for greater equality.
Gay & Lesbian International Sport Association With an international reach, GLISA brings together international sports federations, human rights organizations, associations representing sport teams, clubs from major regions, and other stakeholders to facilitate partnerships for building bridges between sports and the LGBTQ community.
Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network GLSEN’s mission is simple: to ensure every member of school communities feel respected, regardless of their sexual orientation. This is accomplished through educating teachers, students and the public about the common pressures faced by LGBTQ students and working to remove barriers to success.
Get Equal GE focuses on equipping the LGBTQ community and their allies to fight against inequalities and to push for progressive change. Whether organizing direct action efforts, hosting local community meetings, training members in tactics of direct action or providing professional consulting, the organization is committed to continuously fighting for equality.
Human Rights Campaign HRC is the largest organization fighting for the civil rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans. The organization currently has over 1.5 million members, all focused on making true equality for all possible. The organization has a number of research publications outlining equality indexes on areas such as healthcare, employers, states and corporations.
Matthew Shepard Foundation By erasing hate and building compassionate and accepting communities, the Matthew Shepard Foundation hopes to empower LGBTQ individuals to challenge and address discriminatory behavior in their schools, neighborhoods and homes.
National Center for Transgender Equality Identifying as America’s premier social justice advocacy organization for transgender individuals, NCTE works at the federal, state and local levels to leverage political capital and change laws encouraging discriminatory behavior. The organization has a particularly helpful “Know Your Rights” section of their website with information on housing, healthcare, employment, and more.
National Gay & Lesbian Task Force Since 1973, NGLTF has focused on building the political capital of the LGBTQ community through activist training, advancing pro-LGBT legislation and raising the profile of LGBTQ interests and causes. The organization is also an excellent resource for learning about the beliefs and platforms of those running for public office in regards to LGBTQ interests.
PFLAG Through support, education and advocacy efforts, PFLAG seeks to unite the LGBTQ community with friends, families and allies. By doing so, the organization hopes to further equality efforts and lessen discriminatory practices. Currently, there are more than 350 chapters and over 200,000 members.
TransYouth Family Allies TYFA is focused on supporting children and families to create support systems offering encouragement and acceptance regardless of sexual orientation. Main areas of work include educating the public about discrimination, working to eliminate oppression and violence, and forming alliances to ensure support services are in place for LGBTQ individuals. The organization has a number of outreach initiatives and resources to accomplish this mission.
The Attic Youth Center This Philadelphia-based organization is an excellent example of how LGBTQ youth centers can empower and inspire local teens that identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning. Some of the services offered include life skills, mental health counseling, supportive programs, community engagement, and social activities. AYC also provides a number of resources at both the local and national level.
Genders & Sexualities Alliance GSAs are student run clubs operating in both high school and middle schools that provide support, socialization, and activism activities for LGBTQ youth. The overarching goal is to fight against homophobia and transphobia; providing leadership and activist training for group members and encouraging them to advocate for nondiscriminatory policies and greater equality accomplishes this.
International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Youth and Student Organization IGLYO is an internationally focused advocacy and activism organization focused on representing the interests of LGBTQ youth. To accomplish this mission, the organization hosts conferences, provides educational materials, and offers the general public many opportunities to get involved.
It Gets Better Project The mission of the IGB Project is to give LGBT youth across the world hope that things do get better. In response to raised incidents of students committing suicide after being bullied in school, syndicated columnist Dan Savage created the organization to provide both inspiration and resources, including pledges and educational videos.
The Trevor Project With suicide rates noticeably higher among LGBTQ youth than their straight peers, the mission of The Trevor Project is incredibly important. By providing a 24/7-crisis intervention service, online community, and educational programs, the organization seeks to be both life saving and life-affirming.
YouthPride Since 2009, this organization has prevented 151 LGBTQ youth suicides through innovative programming and excellent resources. Whether offering daily after school activities or support and discussion groups, the Atlanta-based organization engages youth and empowers them to advocate for themselves. The organization also provides counseling and free HIV testing.
Affirmations in Ferndale, MI. Affirmations LGBTQ+ community center has been the hub for southeast Michigan LGBTQ+ communities and it’s allies for the last 30 years. It provides a welcoming space where people of all sexual orientations, gender identities & expressions, and cultures can learn, grow, socialize and access the vital support they need.

Keeping Kids Safe Online

Below are some resources to keep your child safe online:

Below are three apps to monitor your child’s digital world:

T-Mobile Digits (Free) – Monitor your child’s text messages
Google Family Link (Free) – Set limits on your child’s digital world
Bark.us (Cost) – Professional dashboard to manage your child’s world digital world

Emotional Health & Wellness

Berkley Schools Emotional Support & Wellness Resources

Hotlines

Berkley Schools Emotional Support
& Wellness Resources