OCHN offers mental health tips

OAKLAND COUNTY, MI (November 28, 2022) – Oakland Community Health Network (OCHN) is releasing tips for families and individuals to manage stress or trauma associated with remembrance dates related to a local crisis, such as the shooting incident in Oxford, Michigan.

Mental Health Support for Families and Individuals:
Contact the Oakland County 24-Hour Crisis Helpline 800-231-1127 or the Michigan Crisis and Access Line (MiCAL) 844-446-4225 (call or text). OCHN’s school mental health navigators connect youth and families to behavioral health and substance use supports. For more information call 248-462-6294 or email schoolnavigator@oaklandchn.org

Tips for Parents:

• Acknowledge the remembrance date. If your child is talking or asking about the event, it is important for the caregivers / loved ones in their life to acknowledge what happened, provide age-appropriate information, and be supportive. It is important for children to know they are loved and feel safe.
• Parents may want to approach older children who may have seen news or videos on social media highlighting the remembrance date and help them process their thoughts and feelings.
• Recognize the effect this has on your child. Talk to your child about their thoughts and emotions as it pertains to the event and validate their feelings and concerns. With mass shootings – particularly in public places such as schools and places of worship – this is a valid concern for them, and all adults need to take their viewpoint and concerns into consideration.
• Help your child to feel safe. A sense of normalcy and routine during the remembrance date helps to maintain a child’s sense of safety and structure. Discuss any positive aspects about the response to the tragedy, such how community members and citizens across the country come together to support each other.

Tips for Adults:

• Everyone experiences events and trauma in different ways, and however they think or feel during the remembrance time is okay. Some people have a sense of fear, anger, sadness, or other emotions. Encourage people to talk about what they are thinking and feeling. Seek support from friends, family, or professionals, if necessary.
• Try to maintain routines and schedules to promote feelings of consistency and balance to reduce anxiety related to the traumatic event.
• Be mindful to consider the amount of exposure to the news / media, particularly to children. It is okay to take part in the remembrance, but continuing to view the images, etc., may worsen or prolong the issues the person is experiencing.