Resiliency Resources
Resources from Youth First Social Workers and Programs for parents and caregivers to use in the home.
Social/Emotional Resources
Taking care of your mental health is important. Youth First wants to provide these social/emotional games, lessons, materials and activities for families to use at home.
Elementary School Kids
Middle School Kids
High School Teens
Families
Self-Care
Parents & Caregivers
Educators
Social/Emotional Resources
Taking care of your mental health is important. Youth First wants to provide these social/emotional games, lessons, materials and activities for families to use at home.
Being angry, sad, or mad happens to each and every person. Big feelings fill our bodies and, sometimes, we don’t know how to help ourselves. Doing things that are pleasurable and make you feel good can help you relax. It is helpful to engage in these types of activities on a regular, even daily, basis. […]
Communication is the foundation of a good relationship. Below are some helpful tools and scenarios to practice. Open-ended questions: These are questions that cannot be answered with a “yes” or “no.” Affirmations: Acknowledging and validating the other person’s experience, feelings, difficulties, etc. Reflective Listening: Reflecting back what was said so no assumptions are made and […]
Materials needed: Card stock or plain white paper Pencil Markers Watercolors, colored pencils, paint, or any other medium you prefer Grounding Activity: To begin, lay down your piece of paper. Place one hand on the paper, then press your hand into the surface. Notice where on your hands you notice pressure and how the paper […]
1. Practice Deep Breathing – During periods of anxiety, the body triggers a stress re- sponse. Breathing becomes shallow and rapid, heart rate increases, and the body be- comes tense. You can combat the stress response by triggering the relaxation response with deep breathing. Breathing becomes deeper and slower and the symptoms of anxie- ty fade […]
Download or draw your own bingo card. In each square, write a coping skill that could be used when times are stressful. Here are some examples of coping skills: Listen to music Talk to someone Write Take 10 deep breaths Watch a movie Use a stressball Clean Read Say positive affirmations Paint or draw Laugh […]
This is a great self-care exercise for adults and children to focus on their strengths and not their weaknesses! We all know that who we are as individuals includes both our strengths and our weaknesses. Too often, adults and children can more easily identify their weaknesses than their strengths and may need help refocusing on […]
To ease anxiety and to calm yourself down, practice this grounding technique. This self-care tool helps you become aware of yourself and your surroundings. Identify: FIVE things you see FOUR things you can touch THREE things you hear TWO things you smell ONE thing you can taste Take deep breaths while you are using this […]
Gratitude has been shown to improve our lives in several areas. Showing gratitude opens the door to better relationships, improves physical and mental health, enhances empathy and reduces aggression, helps us sleep, improves self-esteem, and increases mental strength. Gratitude reduces stress and helps us overcome difficult situations. Grati- tude is not always our first response […]
Can you have a “night out” without leaving the comfort of your home? Sure! Despite how much we may yearn for our sweats when we are working away from home all day, they may get old eventually. Lots of us have fun weekend outings we look forward to all week long where we can dress […]
A mindful walk is an excellent way to clear your mind of clutter and restore your sense of focus. It is also a great excuse to get out into nature. Several studies have shown that taking a break to look at or be in nature can have a rejuvenating effect on the brain, helping to […]
What are two things on your bucket list? Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What three words would you use to describe me? What is one thing I don’t know about you? Describe yourself in three words. What scares you? What is something you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t? What is your […]
By Holly Parod, LSCW – September 9, 2020 – In the wake of an unprecedented worldwide pandemic, many of us have felt the weight of additional stress and uncertainty in our daily lives. These are feelings that we can unknowingly pass on to our children as they sense our fear and feelings of worry. Rather […]
Suicide Awareness During the Pandemic – Let’s Talk About It!
By Holly Branam, Youth First, Inc. We are living in a unique time in history. Schools have been closed, events are cancelled and businesses are just now beginning to reopen their doors. We have experienced the loss of so many familiar things. Routines have changed and aspects of our lives are delayed indefinitely. Although we […]
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