Social Emotional Counseling

Dear Parent and Guardians,

If you have another student that attends one of the LAUSD schools in our community remember you can also receive support services from them. LAUSD School Mental Health (SMH) professionals promote the mental health, well-being, and academic achievement of all LAUSD students. Parents and staff can work together to improve student’s mental health and promote academic success. 

Just as it is important to secure the physical health of your child it is also important to prioritize their mental health needs. Parents and families can strengthen mental health in the home environment to improve their child’s ability to bounce back from stressful situations.

SMH Trainings/Workshops are available for Parents/Guardians:

Click here: Resilient Families / Familias Fuertes Surveys 

How to Get Help for My Child

Like adults, children can experience environmental stress in school, the community and at home (e.g. Divorce, death of a loved one, community violence, school or home transitions, bullying, etc.). These stressors can often lead to changes in your child’s mood and/or behavior.  Without healthy coping skills, the emotions caused by stressors children are facing can result in challenges at school and in the home. 

Parents/Caregivers - Self-Care

As a parent/caregiver, juggling the roles and responsibilities of career, family life and parenting is challenging. Often you may find yourself neglecting your own needs. In order to take care of your children it is important to take care of yourself first. Practicing self-care is an important step to becoming a better parent. When parents engage in effective self-care practices, they exhibit more energy and patience to deal with daily stressors. Self-Care includes all the things you do to take care of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Some examples include: 

• Eat regular nutritious meals
• Exercise regularly
• Turn off all electronics
• Get enough sleep
• Spend time with family and friends
• Keep work and family life separate 
• Learn how to say “no” to extra responsibilities 
• Practice deep breathing 
  
  To learn more about Self-Care tips for parents, click the resources below:

Physical, Social and Spiritual Tips - English & Spanish

Positive & Tranquil Tips

Early Childhood Self Care Tips

Deep Breathing Exercises
 
My Self-Care Action Plan
 
Self-Care Plan - English & Spanish
 
Stress Factsheet - English & Spanish

If after implementing self-care you still find yourself feeling irritable, tired, withdrawn, and/or overwhelmed, seeking counseling or therapy can be helpful. Going to therapy does not mean that something is “wrong” with you. It shows initiative over your personal health and the well-being of your family.