Jake Wicks LCSW

988 is answering the call (actually, over 10 million calls, messages, and texts).
It's so important to seek support and connect with others when we go though tough times. We need to know we are not alone. 988 is a critical part to breaking down the barriers to these conversations. ❤️

In 2 years since the launch of 988, 10 million contacts have been answered Two years after the launch of the three-digit 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline, 10 million contacts have been answered and, advocates say, the service is saving lives.

"The Color of My Skin Does Not Tell My Full Story"

If those words resonate with you, please take some time to read this short but important piece.

Stereotypes and Seeking Care in a Racialized America

https://www.nami.org/asian-american-pacific-islander/stereotypes-and-seeking-care-in-a-racialized-america/

Here we are again, mourning the horrifying murder of young children in a classroom. The emotional burden of these horrific tragedies has become incalculable. How do you make sense of the senseless? What do you say to when the unimaginable has now become the commonplace? There are answers.

How to Talk to Kids About School Shootings - Child Mind Institute Finding proactive ways to deal with anxiety over school shootings. What to say to kids who might be feeling worried, and what to do about your own anxiety.

September is ***dePreventionMonth and as such, someone shared this with me because they knew this is a topic near and dear to my heart.
I couldn't agree with these statements more. So I'm sharing them with you after tracking down the original post by (an outstanding page, check it out).
There is plenty of work to be done, but it's doable... and remember we are not in this fight alone, so reach out when are feeling overwhelmed. ❤

Anxious about the return to school? You are not alone. This news report is a good guide for how you can approach this transition with your family with so basic, but important steps:
1) Ask questions
2) Validate concerns
3) Work as a team on a solution
https://katu.com/news/return-to-learn/psychologists-encourage-families-to-tack-tough-decisions-about-school-year-together

Psychologists encourage families to tack tough decisions about school year together This week, many families will start the 2021-2022 school year. The first day will mark a major milestone in the pandemic: For many Oregon students, this will be the first time they're back in-person, full time, in a year and a half. Ericka Farlow has two daughters. Her oldest, Emoen, is 10 years old...

Rainbows are beautiful and parades are fun, but there is so much more to Pride... Thank you for the visual 😊 https://www.instagram.com/p/CPlEtdlBY0u/?utm_medium=copy_link

Even as an adult, coping with traumatic events can be overwhelming. That feeling is magnified when you are a parent/guardian/caregiver. Thankfully, the Child Mind Institute has assembled this brief but helpful guide to helping adults support young humans through some tough times.

Helping Children Cope After a Traumatic Event Your comfort and support can help children cope with trauma. Advice from the Child Mind Institute on how to what to do and what to look out for.

An important question in the midst of chaos, powerlessness, and misinformation. What are doing to take care of yourself today? If you're struggling, reach out... because you are not alone. National Su***de Prevention Lifeline 1.800.273.8255

Lots of folks are asking me for resources for learning more about how to be anti-racist. Here is a great starter doc. Share please!

Scaffolded Anti-Racist Resources This is a working document for scaffolding anti-racism resources. The goal is to facilitate growth for white folks to become allies, and eventually accomplices for anti-racist work. All of these resources have been sourced from other Google docs, or articles -- we have simply reordered them in an...

How are you doing? How are you navigating this new normal? How can we continue to help ourselves and others amidst this worrisome unknown? When you have a half hour free today, I recommend that you listen to this short presentation. It is a wonderfully concise talk that highlights some key actions we can take to weather the storm as well as a introduction to understanding psychological trauma. If this topic interests you and you haven't read The Body Keeps The Score by Dr. Van der Kolk (the presenter), I highly recommend picking it up. As always, stay healthy and safe out there!

Digital Seminar - Bessel van der Kolk, MD, On the Global Coronavirus Crisis: Steering Ourselves and Our Clients Through New & Developing Traumas *** Not for Credit *** Bessel van der Kolk, MD, On the Global Coronavirus Crisis: Steering Ourselves and Our Clients Through New & Developing Traumas *** Not for Credit ***

This has been around for a month now, but still a good introduction to talking about COVID-19 with kids. As a bonus there is also a link to a video on how to fold a booklet if you want to print the comic, but also if you want to make your own comic.

Just For Kids: A Comic Exploring The New Coronavirus You may have heard the word "coronavirus" online or on TV. You probably have a lot of questions. Check out our comic to get some answers — and print out a zine version at home.

I just want to share a resource list I've been working on for all the folks out there looking for options to keep engaged with education. If you know of any other good resources, let me know! Keep well and safe ❤

You are not alone

Call. Text. Email. Reach out and check in. It could save a life. #wereinthistogether #suicideprevention #mentalhealth #mentalillness #mentalhealthawareness #covid19 #coronavirus #selfcare #peersupport

If you aren't familiar with The Child Mind Institute, you should check their webpage out. They have a wealth of well written and easily accessible articles on a wide variety of mental health topics. If you have kids, work with kids, or care about kids take some time out to read this article today.

“Be creative and be flexible,” says Dr. Busman, “and try not to be hard on yourself. You have to find a balance that works for your family. The goal should be to stay sane and stay safe.”

Supporting Kids During the Coronavirus Crisis | Child Mind Institute Here are tips from the Child Mind Institute’s clinicians to help parents calm fears, manage stress and keep the peace in this difficult time.

When in doubt, reach out.

Always a great resource, Lines for Life continues their mission to support us here in the Portland area. Please share widely with your friends, neighbors, or anybody that is struggling.

Lines for Life cares for your health. Both mental and physical. Our services are still open. Please reach out to us if you or a loved one needs support. All of our crisis lines are listed here. https://www.linesforlife.org/get-help-now/

For all the folks out there providing supportive space for others. Much ❤️ to you! Don't forget to leave room for self care 😉.

Anxiety is a natural part of life. It is necessary for survival and can keep us safe while under threat. But what happens when we enter into an extended period of sustained worry? Many studies have shown that this prolonged state of elevated stress can take it's toll on our body and mind.
So in this time of great uncertainty, let us make sure that we are being mindful of our own anxiety level, acknowledge it as a part of being human, and do the things we need to do to take care of ourselves.
What things? I am glad you asked. A colleage of mine passed along this resource along to me and I though that you might find helpful. So take a break from the news for 15 minutes and check it out.
You deserve it.

https://www.virusanxiety.com/

Care for Your Coronavirus Anxiety You're not in this alone. Listen to meditations, get expert advice, and more with this mental health toolkit.

An awesome Portland delevoper created an excellent resource site for folks nationwide. Check it out. More to come!

https://www.covid-resources.com/about

About This site is a crowdsourced simple directory web site for resources in dealing with the coronavirus outbreak in the United States. Add one now. Let's get through this together.

Hey all, I'm going to start off with a helpful article with some entertaining options for keeping yourself busy in these trying times. More to come! Stay safe and stay healthy.

https://www.opb.org/news/article/npr-getting-bored-heres-a-list-of-free-things-that-werent-free-before-coronavirus/

Getting Bored? Here's A List Of Free Things That Weren't Free Before Coronavirus From Broadway plays to playwrights giving writing lessons to online courses from Ivy League schools, here's a look at some things (but not everything!) that have suddenly become free.