Welcome to The Ministry Lab's curated list of resources to help caregivers and parents engage youth in conversations around grief and trauma. Here you'll find:
See also our Contemplative & Mental Health Practices for Children & Youth and/or Hope & Resilience guides for developing self-awareness and tools for navigating distress, anxiety, and trauma.
If you don't find a resource to fit your need, don't hesitate to consult with The Ministry Lab's director, Emily Meyer, who is happy to assist you.
Trauma Stewardship Institute offers several free, downloadable tools, including Decision Fatigue & Cognitive Overload, a Gratitude Log, a Map for Managing One's Day, their Tiny Survival Guide, When Experiencing Overwhelm & Trauma, and a book and gift package selection for people walking through trauma.
Scarleteen discusses COVID-19 from the perspective of sexual and mental health for young people. They offer free text, message board, and live chat options for immediate help for kids suffering abuse, or those feeling depressed, anxious or confused. Includes links to additional resources for mental and sexual health questions.
Can your congregation become a place for young people to process complex emotions and develop resilience and hope by participating - with adults who are passionate about climate care - in taking action to mitigate damage and restore health to all?
By Dietrich Kirk
A Biblical Perspective on Trauma featuring Paul Cho
Poetry Unbound: incorporate poetry into a personal or group contemplative practice, worship/liturgical element, or fodder for small group discussions among tweens, teens and/or adults.
Listen to the trailer and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Overcast, or wherever you listen.
shared Nine Tips for Talking to Kids about Trauma, following the Paris attacks of 2015. The tips are just as relevant, today.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network offers Helping Teens with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers
20 Ways to Keep Your Cool During These Never-Ending Pandemic Times
A Reminder That Your Tween Really Needs Extra Help Right Now
Listen and Connect: How Parents Can Support Teens' Mental Health Right Now
provides links to resources and intervention sites, along with tips for working with children, teens and families, an entire page of Resources in the Wake of Community Trauma and Beyond, and includes Trauma Resources for Children and Families; contact info for their Mobile Crisis Mental Health Services may be helpful for some families to have on hand.
shares several resources about well-being in Covid-19 times, including this list geared toward caring for Youth.
Virginia Theological Seminary’s building faith blog talks about the effects of trauma on faith in youth and their Trauma-Informed Tools for Youth Camp Ministry can be adapted for at-home or small group use.
offers a 4-week curriculum on anxiety and faith for high school students.
The MN Conference UCC Faith Formation Resources page includes resources for Talking with Children about Violence and Anti-Racism:
