Middle schoolers, high schoolers, and their families may need extra support and someone to talk to during these stressful times. Below, find resources for mental health and learning—along with some ideas for ways to connect, have fun, and stay active while practicing safe physical distancing.
Counselors, social workers, remote learning & more
From Oak Park and River Forest High School (OPRFHS / D200)
- Read the OPRFHS Reopening Plan for Fall 2020 (includes meal distribution info, remote learning plan for first semester, and calendars) »
- Read the OPRFHS Family Survival Guide: First Semester 2020-21 (PDF) »
- Contact counselors and social workers to chat, email, or videoconference. Email socialworkersstudentservices@oprfhs.org.
- Huskie Tips for coping with COVID-19 »
From Oak Park Elementary School District 97 (D97)
From your library
- Virtual mental health assessments with Rush University Medical Center »
- Get in touch with Manager of Teen Services Stephen Jackson at StephenJ@dev.oppl.org.
- Teens invited to share their voice on managing stress and anxiety, creating new app »
- Learn more about the library’s Social Services and Public Safety Team »
- Homework help for teens »
Free phone support from Thrive Counseling
- Thrive Counseling Center has a free phone support line for any emotional issues you may be experiencing during this uncertain and often stressful time. Call 708.383.7500, ext. 888, Monday through Friday, 9 am-2 pm.
- Learn more about Thrive Counseling Center »
Finding services through a local Health Connection Hub
- Find services for individuals and families, including: senior and youth services, developmental disabilities, medical health care, behavioral/mental health services, and other social support.
Additional online resources & articles
- Society of Pediatric Psychology resources »
- From The New York Times: “Helping teens make room for uncomfortable emotions” (Get full NYT access through the library)
Connection & fun
15 ways to stay active
Our Teen Services staff Stephen Jackson and Darcel Washington put together this fun list of ideas:
- Apply to be on our Leading Edge Teen Advisory Board, now meeting virtually monthly »
- Chronicle this historical event in time. Record and submit your stories to the Oak Park Oral History Project »
- Create a special reading area in your house. Get tips from Miss Beronica »
- Set a book reading goal. Find digital title recommendations »
- Learn to code with Vidcode »
- Bake cookies or a favorite dessert.
- Play a game with younger siblings, and play board games with the whole family.
- Apply for scholarships.
- Create kindness jars.
- Go for a walk (while staying at least 6 feet away from other people).
- Start a gratitude journal and/or a diary.
- Reach out to your senior relatives.
- Redecorate your room.
- Write a book, song, or a letter.
- Do something you’ve been putting off.
Ways to connect
The Moms of Tweens and Teens website offers a printable Survival Guide with ways to help get your kids organized as well as binge-worthy TV shows and movies to watch together. Access the Stuck at Home Survival Guide »
Online enrichment & learning
College & career preparation
- The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) student portal offers resources and tools to help students choose a college, learn about careers, find scholarships, simplify the financial aid process, learn how to budget their money, and more. Watch ISAC’s most recent videos »
- Free SAT prep resources. See a list of 10 different websites that offer SAT prep. Some offer full-length tests, some offer diagnostics that can help you see areas to improve, and some have flash cards and helpful tips for how to prep. See which one works best for you!
- Take career assessments for guidance. Not sure what careers you’re interested in? Career OneStop offers interest, skills, and work values assessments to give you some guidance on what career paths might be a good fit for you!
- Set up an account with College Greenlight. This is a great resource for researching colleges, learning more about what schools might be a good fit for you, and finding scholarships. You can create a profile and College Greenlight will filter scholarships that match your profile.
- Tour colleges online. Tour hundreds of colleges with virtual tours. It’s a great way to learn more about schools that you are not able to visit and just see more options across the country!
Educational resources
- Emerson Collective: Clearing pathways to a meaningful education by supporting students and empowering them about social justice.
- BrainPop is a group of educational websites with more than 1,000 short animated movies for students in grades K-12, together with quizzes and related materials, covering the subjects of science, social studies, English, math, engineering and technology, health, and arts and music.
- Engaging Congress is a free, fun, interactive game incorporating primary resources that explores the tenets of representative government and the challenges faced in our current society.
