Managing the Moments Video Series

The COVID-19 pandemic has been extremely stressful for people. Fear and anxiety about a new disease, all the changes we have made to keep ourselves and our families healthy, and what could happen can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Seeing a growing need among their patients and clients, members of the SCC’s Mental Health Committee approached the Board with a vision of casual discussions to educate and support our community during this very challenging time. And with an inability to provide our normal documentary film screenings and bringing in nationally-recognized speakers, this seemed like the best way to implement the SCC’s mission this year.
These videos, the basis for our “Managing the Moments” 2020-2021 theme, are meant to begin a discussion of mental health issues, educate us all on how to promote healthy coping strategies, and encourage us to keep our well-being in the forefront of how we navigate through life’s upheavals. Each video features mental health providers discussing important topics in mental health relevant to the pandemic, stressors of learning and working from home, and concerns of the future. (Though indeed these topics are relevant to all of our lives most of the time!) While not all are directed to all ages, all are appropriate for all ages. Most videos are accompanied by printable tip sheets or presentation slides to help us retain or share the messages. Click the icons to watch each video on our YouTube channel and access the tip sheets associated with them.*

Please note: planning and filming the discussions followed all appropriate social distancing and mask-wearing procedures by SCC Mental Health Committee members and crew, with the exception of providers during the actual filming. Many thanks to McLean Community Center Director George Sachs and MCC staff for providing us space to film these discussions! And it is because of our unrestricted donors like the New Dominion Women’s Club, Rotary Club of McLean, and several private donors that we are able to offer these videos. Thank you to all!

Episode 1:
Deescalating Conflict
Episode 2:
Effective Communication
Episode 3:
Hey Kids! How to Talk to Your Parents
Episode 4:
Hey Kids! Brain Breaks During Distance Learning
Episode 5:
Self Care and Calming Techniques for All Ages
Episode 6:
Hey Kids (and Your Adults)! How Are You?
Episode 7:
Connecting Through Play
Episode 8:
Creating Coping Capacity
Episode 9:
Hey Kids! Anxiety in School
Episode 10:
Coping Through the Holidays
Episode 11:
Your Daily Prescription to Cope with Covid-19
Episode 12:
Launching Your Kid to College
Episode 13:
Building Resilience
Episode 14:
Supporting Your Teen Through Covid 19
* DISCLAIMER: The contents of these videos are for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing found on these videos is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric, or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or mental disorder. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have seen in one of these videos.
Reliance on any information provided by Safe Community Coalition or by any person or professional appearing on our website is solely at your own risk. The Safe Community Coalition is not liable for any advice or information provided on the site, all of which is provided on an “as-is” basis. No warranties, either express or implied, are made on the information we provide.
Click for 50+ Activities

Looking for something else to do?

With the days getting shorter and cooler and our need for fresh ideas of building breaks into the day, we've gathered this list of 50+ Family Activities to Manage the Moments This Winter. What would add? What would your kids add?

Click for 50+ Activities

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Concerns of Depression in Teens and Children

As the Covid-19 virus continues to preclude our normal comings and goings, we need to be watchful for signs of depression in our teens and children, as well as in ourselves. Feeling unhappy in this time of forced isolation and constant uncertainty is unavoidable, and most of us are struggling to stay positive. But depression is more than just feeling sad or having bad days. An individual who seems to be stuck in a negative mood — feeling hopeless and not able to enjoy anything — may have depression and may need help to bounce back. Read more.

Tips and Advice from Our Mental Health Committee

Members of our Mental Health Advisory Committee are concerned about the toll that the stress of distance learning, social isolation, economic concerns, the inability to plan for the near future have taken on adults and kids. They’ve created videos on a variety of topics:

  • Finding A Counselor: Tips and Advice
  • Grounding Techniques to Help Cope with Uncertainty
  • How To Meet Kids’ Three Basic Needs: Competence, Connection, and Autonomy
  • Healthy Coping Strategies During Uncertain Times
  • Staying Positive
  • 5 Tips to Engage Your Children More Successfully During This Corona Virus Time

Note: The contents of this site are for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing found on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or mental disorder. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this site. Reliance on any information provided by Safe Community Coalition or by any person or professional appearing on our website is solely at your own risk. The Safe Community Coalition is not liable for any advice or information provided on the site, all of which is provided on an “as-is” basis. No warranties, either express or implied, are made on the information we provide.

Quaranteens

Our Youth Advisory Committee members have been chatting online together about their experiences being stuck at home and answering some questions. Check them out HERE to get the “teen perspective” on the stay at home orders.

Tips from Fairfax County and FCPS

FCPS Healthy Minds: Keeping your children occupied while schools are closed.

Wellness Resources: Maintaining your – and your family’s – health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic, is about more than just protecting against the virus. This resource on Daily Life and Coping from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides a lot of great tips. And remember, social distancing shouldn’t mean social disconnection; here are some tips to stay connected with others. Topic-related resources are below. Be sure to visit Fairfax At Home, Visit Fairfax’s guide to all sorts of great and healthy activities that support the local community.