Coping with COVID-19
For students facing the challenges of the pandemic
TRAILS Coping with COVID-19 sessions help students develop healthy ways to care for themselves in the midst of the ongoing public health crisis. Built to address the heightened levels of stress, anxiety, and social isolation many youth experience as a result of COVID-19, this programming enables school mental health professionals – such as school counselors, social workers, or psychologists – to provide their students with a range of effective coping and self-care skills.
Coping with COVID-19 sessions:
- Are flexible, easy to implement, and adaptable to a variety of circumstances
- May be delivered independently or as a set, in groups or one-on-one
Why a COVID-19 program?
The pandemic impacts everyone.
More focused on situations than on symptoms, Coping with COVID-19 is appropriate for any student experiencing heightened levels of stress.
Many aspects of the pandemic – or of any crisis – are beyond our control.
This programming provides students with specific tools for managing the uncertainty and worry that come with situations we don’t have the power to change.
In challenging times, it’s harder to care for ourselves.
By emphasizing self-care during COVID-19, school mental health professionals can help students build healthy routines that will sustain them both now and in the future.
Program Close-Up
7 sessions
2 developmentally appropriate grade bands: 3-5 and 6-12
TRAILS Coping with COVID-19 sessions apply CBT and mindfulness strategies to the challenges of the pandemic. Read about key session topics below:
Practicing gratitude and self-kindness
Focusing on the good in our lives as an anchor during difficult times, and extending kindness to ourselves rather than self-criticism
Managing the physical effects of stress
Using mindfulness to keep ourselves in the present, and relaxation to calm our bodies and minds
Getting active
Building healthy movement into our routines to boost mood and limit isolation
Coping with worried thoughts
Examining our worries–even the realistic ones–and re-focusing on thoughts or actions that can help us manage them
Staying connected
Finding ways to check in and communicate with healthy, supportive people in our lives
Coping with uncertainty
Identifying what is and isn’t within our control, and taking action where and when we can
How to get started
TRAILS Coping with COVID-19 materials are:
- Designed to be delivered by school counselors, social workers, or psychologists
- Available to any mental health professional free of charge
Staff at our partner schools receive:
- Training from the TRAILS clinical team
- Access to weekly Q&A sessions and assessment measures
- Regular updates about this programming as pandemic circumstances continue to change
“This year has been a difficult year for everyone. However, with this amazing program, we were able to support our students through a pandemic. The program has been flexible and innovative to meet our students' needs. I have even been able to use most of the activities in my daily routines.”
Interested in partnering with us?
We currently work with schools in Michigan, Colorado, and Massachusetts, and welcome the opportunity to explore additional partnerships in these states. While our capacity for other partnerships is limited at this time, we welcome potential partners who are located elsewhere to reach out to us so that we can reconnect when TRAILS expansions occur. Send us a message.
Regardless of partnership status, we are proud to offer open access to numerous materials free of charge, including all Coping with COVID-19 manuals and resources. To access free TRAILS materials, create an account.