May 7, 2020
RESILIENCY IN COVID
FWISD’s Prevention & Crisis Response Newsletter
You are not alone.
Warm Greetings from FWISD’s Prevention and Crisis Response Team and campus
In this issue: counselors, intervention specialists and case managers. We want you to know that
Resources
we are here for you. We are living through some trying times that further stress
students who already have issues with anxiety, depression, and general worry over
Parent Tips
what is happening in our country at this time. We also know that parents are under a
Coping Skills great deal of stress with kids at home, worry about jobs and how to financially
Services navigate these times.
Although we may be physically distancing from each other, we want to encourage all
of our FWISD community to stay connected. In difficult times, when our lives feel up-
side down, we can withdraw and hide ourselves or we can choose to stay close and
connected. Connection is a key in overcoming our fear and stress. We hope this
newsletter can shine a light on things you and your family may be feeling and be a
help for finding your own strength as we all go through this together. During this clo-
sure, we will share information and resources through our newsletters. Please also
feel welcome to contact us -- our email addresses are on the last page.
What is Resiliency?
Resiliency means to overcome very stressful and
potentially damaging events and circumstances,
to ‘bounce back’. It is seen in individuals,
communities and whole nations.
Q: How do I become more resilient?
A: By first acknowledging what you are going
through, what you are feeling and then step-by-
step, finding the strengths in your life, finding what
you can do and staying connected.
With the new day comes new
strength and new thoughts.
PAUSE
-Eleanor Roosevelt
Take frequent pauses throughout the day
to appreciate the good in & around you.
We Offer These Resources For You
US. We are always available for you, even though we a loved one. Resources and help can be found by calling 1-
are not in our offices at this time. You will find our email 800-799-SAFE (7233).
addresses and a flyer that describes some of the ser-
vices we can provide on the last page. We respond Crisis Text Line 24/7
within 24 hours to your emails. “Every texter is connected with a Crisis Counselor, a real-life
human being trained to bring texters from a hot moment to a
FWISD Family Resource Centers cool calm through active listening and collaborative problem
Mental & Behavioral health for FWISD families solving. All of Crisis Text Line's Crisis Counselors are volun-
https://www.fwisd.org/Page/5357, 817-815-2830 teers, donating their time to helping people in crisis.”
https://www.crisistextline.org/
The Parenting Center, Parent Advice Line:
817-332-6399 CALL 911
The Parenting Advice Line is a free, confidential tele- IF ANYONE IS IN IMMINENT DANGER OF HARM TO
phone line for concerned parents or caregivers with THEMSELVES OR OTHERS.
questions about raising children. Our telephone line is
open Monday through Friday from 12 to 3 p.m. Non-Emergency Police Department Phone Numbers:
Benbrook Police Department 817-952-2127
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Fort Worth Police Department (River Trails) 817-392-4222
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Free and confidential support for people in distress, Anonymous Reporting of ANY ISSUE:
24/7. Crime Stoppers, Friends for Life The tips/reports are
entirely anonymous. You can report from your cell phone,
The National Domestic Abuse Hotline computer, or via the telephone. The app for your phone is
The Hotline provides lifesaving tools and immediate entirely free. If you learn of someone in trouble with self-
support to empower victims and survivors to find safety harm, abuse, bullying or harm to others, domestic violence,
and live free of abuse. We also provide support to gang activity, you can report by “submitting a tip.”
friends and family members who are concerned about www.469tips.com or 817-469-TIPS.
Becoming Resilient
Remember: Brains are under construction until the age of 25. Just like paying attention to what you
put into your body, what you put in your brain is important too! Slowing down enough to get your
brain online and make good decisions about what to do with stress: take walks, breathe, reflect.
What do we need most in the world right now? RESILIENT ADULTS.
Resilient Adults create RESILIENT KIDS who can:
Manage strong feelings Use Humor
Regulate stress levels Use coping strategies
Can see beyond frustration Seek out relationships and bonding
Believe their life matters Enjoy helping others and giving back
Have Hope about their future Balance their health, interests and hobbies
For Parents
Keeping a Routine For You & Them
There are few things as important as your reactions to the stress you are currently under. The most important thing you
can do for your child is teach and model how to handle hard things. Everyone goes through something difficult in life, but
the more positive coping skills a child has, the better outcome you and they can expect. One of the most important piec-
es of your own coping is to be gentle with yourself. Work to let go of frustration as much as possible and remind yourself
that you are all doing the best you can right now. Know that when your child is difficult (whining, crying, talking back, hy-
per, lethargic) they are expressing a need. Try to figure out what the need is behind the behavior and you will be able to
mitigate the stress you feel from their acting out. Often, the need behind the behavior is your attention. Taking care of
you is one of the best ways to take care of others.
Q: I have a senior in my life who has been extremely moody lately. What can I do to help?
A: Acknowledge the loss. It's true that disappointments about prom or graduation are small compared to the tragedies
that thousands families are facing currently, but it's also true that the loss of the school year and the important ceremo-
nies that mark the end of it results in real grief. Acknowledging the loss and their feelings about it is a good first step to-
ward healing. Help them identify and name what they are feeling. This, also can help ease the pain. Dan Siegel says,
"Name it to tame it," meaning when we label emotions, we can integrate them better. Teach about grief and help them
make meaning of the current situation. Meaning comes from finding the light in the dark times; the gratitude we
feel for others, helping and supporting others. A joyful life comes from resilience--having the tools needed to cope with
life's difficult and painful moments. This generation is building those tools that will serve them for the rest of their lives.
For Teens & Children
Coping Skills
1. Take deep breaths
2. Take a quick walk
3. Get a drink of water
4. Stand up and stretch
5. Take a time out
6. Say something kind to yourself
7. Talk to a friend
8. Say, “I can do this.”
9. Think about someone you love
10. Get enough sleep
11. Write in a journal
12. Jog in place
13. Do something kind
Just because it’s online,
doesn’t mean it isn’t hurtful…
14. Draw a picture/color
15. Make a gratitude list Cyberbullying and harassment are still not okay. Take
care of yourself and those around you. Be a helper...
CONTACT INFO
682-233-3710
Cindy Bethany - Director, Prevention and Crisis Response: Cynthia.bethany@fwisd.org
Delisea Johnson - Trauma Specialist: Delisea.johnson@fwisd.org
Michael Garcia - Trauma Specialist: Michael.garcia@fwisd.org
Courtney Davis - Trauma Specialist: Courtney.davis@fwisd.org
Remington Pohlmeyer - Trauma Specialist: Remington.pohlmeyer@fwisd.org
