Infinite Hope — Observing Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in 2021
Written by Ramsey Khasho, PsyD
Dear Friends,
Many of us are delighted by the idea of a 3-day weekend. Whether it’s sleeping in, organizing the garage, reading a good book, going on a hike or trying out a new recipe, we’ve an endless list of ways to spend the extra day off, even in a pandemic. Especially in a pandemic. More than ever, we need the extra time for self-care and rest and reflection; our bodies and minds exhausted from the endless barrage of fear and bad news.
But I urge you to add one more thing to your mental list of ways to spend this precious day. We all know today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Read more ›
Whether it’s wall-to-wall coverage of a global pandemic, the latest natural disaster, a horrific mass shooting, a suicide broadcast on social media, or a violent political rally, it’s nearly impossible to keep the news at bay until you’re able to figure out what to say. The bottom line is that elementary school-aged kids and some middle schoolers have trouble fully understanding news events. 
While most young people have been spared from the severe physical effects of COVID-19, our children are reeling from the anxiety, fear and isolation the pandemic has caused. What are the best ways for you as a parent to support your child’s mental health? 
Self-worth is not the same as self-esteem. Our self-esteem is derived from our abilities, accomplishments, social positions and things we believe and we can achieve. We can bolster our self-esteem by improving our skills or performance, and our self-esteem goes up and down depending on how we’re doing in various aspects of our lives.
“Historically, pandemics have forced humans to break with the past and imagine their world anew. This one is no different. It is a portal, a gateway between one world and the next.”
Every child feels anxious at times — but for some, that feeling persists and interferes with friendships and schoolwork.
It’s important to develop some coping strategies so that you can stay resilient during these anxiety-filled times. In this webinar, 
As recent months have demonstrated, stress is unavoidable. Now more than ever, it’s important to understand stress and how we can manage it. While stress can be beneficial, too much of it can be harmful. 
It’s hard to avoid stress. Work, money, current events, and the hassles of everyday life are just a few of the things that can cause stress. Long-term, or chronic, stress is linked to several health conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, and anxiety.
Schools play a significant role in supporting the health and well-being of children and youth, including those affected by traumatic experiences. In a trauma-sensitive school, all aspects of the educational environment—from workforce training to engagement with students and families to procedures and policies—are grounded in an understanding of trauma and its impact and are designed to promote resilience for all. 
