The National Mental Health Association (NMHA) has prepared the attached tip sheets to help adults cope with the stress and anxiety accompanying the impending war and to support parents dealing with questions and fears from their children.

The American Red Cross www.redcross.org/
The Red Cross provides relief to victims of disaster, both locally and globally, and gives health and safety training to the public and provides emergency social services to U.S. military members and their families. Visit their web site for information related to Red Cross resources, tip sheets fact sheets, health and safety training, services and supports.

Westchester County Chapter of the American Red Cross
The Westchester County Chapter provides Red Cross services, supports, and health and safety training to our County. Visit their web site contact the Westchester Chapter Office for local information about local county training, events, supports and services.

Dear Friends and Colleagues, 

During times of crisis, it is heartening to know that there are people in our midst to whom we can turn for help, such as trained mental health counselors and therapists. 

April is Counseling Awareness Month, an annual observance that focuses the public's attention on the role of counselors in helping individuals to live healthier, happier, and more productive lives. Sponsored by the American Counseling Association, the theme for this year's observance is "Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence." 

The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) National Mental Health Information Center joins in this annual celebration by making Counseling Awareness Month one of its on-line features for April. Located at http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/highlights/April2003/counseling/ , this web page provides users with details about the special activities planned for this year's observance, as well as information about counseling, the work done by counselors, and how to find a counselor. 

We are making this resource, along with several other features for April, available to you and your readers on SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information Center's web site: The National Public Health Week web page is at http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/highlights/April2003/publichealth/. 

 Sponsored by the American Public Health Association (APHA), April 7-13, 2003, this year's theme is "Getting in Shape for the Future: Healthy Eating and Active Living." The theme was chosen to focus attention on a solution to the growing obesity epidemic gripping the Nation. In addition, scientific research has linked obesity to mental health problems like depression. 

Learn more about APHA recommendations for improving overall health, both physical and mental. Autism Awareness Month, sponsored by the Autism Society of America (ASA), is featured at http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/highlights/April2003/autism/ . Visitors to this page can find information about autism and learn about opportunities for families and friends to take part in community activities sponsored by local chapters of the ASA. 

Child Abuse Prevention Month, established by Presidential proclamation in 1983, focuses on the importance of creating a safe and nurturing environment that enables all children to grow to their full potential as responsible adults and members of society. Get details for this year's observance at http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/highlights/April2003/abuse , and find out how to take an active role in identifying and preventing all forms of child abuse. This page is available also in Spanish at http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/highlights/April2003/espanol/ .

All the featured sites referred to here link users to publications, related topics, and a select list of links to organizations that offer additional information on each topic. These resources are available for free to you and your audiences. You are invited to link to this information on your web site, post the content to your site with a link to the National Mental Health Information Center's web site as your source, or use it in whatever way is most convenient for you. 

Cecile Douglas 

SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information Center
 info@mentalhealth.org

 ******************************************** 

The National Mental Health Information Center http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/  is a service of SAMHSA, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Call 1-800-789-2647 for bilingual information services; (TDD) 866-889-2647.

Connect for Kids
These are tense times for children, as they hear about war in Iraq and the possibility of a terrorist threat at home. Connect for Kids has assembled resources for parents, educators and others to help children cope.

Here's the link to the article:  http://www.connectforkids.org/newsletter-url1570/newsletter-url.htm 

CYFERnet is part of USDA's Children, Youth and Families at Risk Program. http://www.cyfernet.org . CYFERnet provides an excellent new resource for youth and family professionals working with:

• Military families near installations and bases in your state; 

• Military families that have left installations and moved back with their families in communities in your state; 

• Families of Military Reserves and National Guard members who have been deployed; 

• All families dealing with issues related to war and terrorism.

Resources for Parents, Teachers, and Family Support Professionals in Times of War http://www.cyfernet.org/warres.html 

This site was developed and the resources have been reviewed by University and Extension faculty from universities across the country. Click on "Hot Topic" on the CYFERnet page.

EXTENSION/4-H SUPPORT FOR MILITARY YOUTH AND FAMILY PROGRAMS http://www.reeusda.gov/4h/cyfar/military.htm 

CYFAR provides contact information for both Military and Extension youth and family professionals and programs. Click on the following  link for more information: http://www.reeusda.gov/4h/cyfar/military.htm.

Please share this information with your university and county youth and family professionals, other agencies, and with the media. 

Sesame Street Workshop
Talking With Your Kids About War, Tragic Times, Healing Words and other articles and tip sheets. Visit their web site for more information: http://www.sesameworkshop.org

From FINE  (Family Involvement Network of Educators)
web resources designed to support >communication with children about war and peace.

Educators for Social Responsibility provides guides and curricular suggestions to help teachers address national and global issues: http://www.esrnational.org/sp/we/world.htm 

The United Nations offers a curriculum on peace education: http://www.un.org/cyberschoolbus/peace/index.asp 

The NYU Child Study Center tackles tough questions about how to talk to children about the war with Iraq: http://www.aboutourkids.org/articles/war_iraq.html 

National Association of School Psychologists offers advice on helping children cope with fears of war and terrorism: http://www.nasponline.org/NEAT/unsettlingtimes.html 

If you know of other resources to add to this page [click here]

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