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ICEF's Embrace The Mind
School closures, financial challenges, and the overall uncertainty brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic have been difficult for us all. We are facing challenges to our mental health and wellness as our normal routines have been upended. Our typical ways to release stress (sports, social gatherings, faith-based services) have been interrupted or made inaccessible. Self-care is essential at this time: getting adequate sleep, eating as well as possible, and engaging in 30-60 minutes of exercise daily. It is also important to cultivate methods to cope with stress: deep breathing, journaling, yoga, expressing gratitude, and practicing mindfulness are excellent, scientifically proven ways to reduce stress.

ICEF school staff members are here to support you, and there are many resources online that can support your mental health. Please remember: we are all in this together and we will make it through.

 

Resources:

 

Online Wellness Resources: 

Mindfulness Videos For Children: Fablefy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmWYD6aHLhg

Free Exercise Classes: POPSUGAR Fitness https://www.youtube.com/user/popsugartvfit

Instagram: Follow @spokenyoga for short guided meditations, and @ICEF_EmbraceTheMind for resources, updates, and inspiration!

 

Crisis & Suicide Intervention 

California Youth Crisis Line:

Call or Text: 1-800-843-5200 (English and español)

 

Crisis Text Line (24/7):  

Text LA to 741741 

 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:

Toll-Free: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) 

Toll-Free (español): 1-888-628-9454 

 

Teen Line: 

Text "TEEN" to 839863 between 6:00pm-9:00pm PST to receive person teen-to-teen education and support or email our hotline at www.teenline.org/talk-now.

Message boards for youth - https://teenlineonline.org/board/
Parent support website - https://teenlineonline.org/parents/

 

Trevor Project – Trevor Lifeline:  

Toll Free: 1-866-4-U-TREVOR (1-866-488-7386) 

SMS: Text TREVOR to 1-202-304-1200 (3pm-10pm, Monday-Friday) 

 

Establishing Mental Health Care

Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services: 

Didi Hirsch’s experts provide evidence-based treatment to low-income children and adults with mental disorders or behavioral challenges.

To get help for you or someone you care about, call 888-807-7250 Monday through Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm
 

County of Los Angeles Resources: 

Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health Access Line: 1-800-854-7771  

 

About ICEF's Embrace The Mind: 

In 2018, ICEF launched a mental wellness program, created by researchers at Harvard University for predominantly African-American and Latino communities called, Embrace The Mind: A Mental Wellness Initiative at ICEF Public Schools. 

 

Our mission is threefold:

  • to offer education on the science behind brain development and mental health,
  • to reduce stigma associated with mental illness,
  • and, to equip students, teachers, and families with tools to build mental wellness.

 

Students have the opportunity to learn about mental health, reflect on their personal strengths, and practice calming activities like mindfulness meditation. Teachers, parents, and caregivers will also learn about how to support students with mental health, and engage in stress-reduction strategies with the students on campus throughout the school year. 

 

Wellness Center Opens
ICEF Public Schools Opens Its First Wellness Center 
 
 
"Nationally, there is evidence that the mental health needs of black and brown communities are not being adequately addressed.  The approach to mental health in these communities needs to be different and holistic, not just focused on criminal behavior or hospital systems, but inclusive of where people live, learn and play. ICEF's "Embrace the Mind" program will be a model that is scalable in these communities; we, at Harvard Chan's Office of Diversity and Inclusion, are greatly in support of these efforts."
 
- Ra'Shaun Nalls, Director of Community Engagement - Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Office of Diversity and Engagement
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