Blueprint4SummerSTL recognizes that mental health resources are critical this summer in the wake of COVID-19. We have compiled various resources to help you and your staff when handling the mental health effects of COVID-19.
Missouri After School Alliance
The Missouri After School Alliance has compiled many resources in regards to COVID-19. Below are a few resources around mental health. You can find their full catalog of resources here.
Additional Resources



Mental Health Information
- Toolkit for Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention: This resource provides information about teaching and talking about mental health for kids in grades K-12. In addition, it provides intervention tips for a mental health crisis.
- Infographic: Youth Mental Health: Emotions matter: Resource from the Mental Health Association of America describing the challenges youth face in terms of mental health and ways to support teens.
- Teen Safe Resources: A list of resources and information about Substance Abuse, addiction treatment, prevention and parent/educator resources.
- Child Mind Institute: This resources list provides articles and information to assist parents and educators in helping children with various mental health and learning challenges.
- Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major effect on our lives. Public health actions, such as social distancing, are necessary to reduce the spread of COVID-19, but they can make us feel isolated and lonely and can increase stress and anxiety. Learn strat
- The Implications of COVID-19 for Mental Health and Substance Use: The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic recession have negatively affected many people’s mental health and created new barriers for people already suffering from mental illness and substance use disorders.
Mental Health Lesson Plans
- Can We Talk Lesson Plans: A booklet with lesson plans to help educators and providers teach kids about mental health and the stigma surrounding it. Helpful for middle school and high school students.
- Easing Student Anxiety in the Classroom: This resource includes information and tips on how to reduce student anxiety (which is the most common childhood mental illness) in the classroom that can be applied to summer programs and camps as well.
- Mental Health Education: Lesson plans organized by grade
- Personal, Mental and Emotional Health from PBS: videos and lesson plans about various topics that are relevant to kids and teens
- Classroom Mental Health: Resources for educators and providers that help start conversations about mental health with students and how to support student throughout a mental health crisis.
- How to talk about Mental Health Issues: Here is how to get started when you notice a child is struggling with mental health issues.
Organizations
NAMI St. Louis is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and adults with mental illnesses and their families in the St. Louis region.
Start Here STL: Start here is a collection of mental health resources available in St. Louis
St. Louis Mental Health Board: Administers the Community Health Fund and the Community Children’s Services Fund
Safe Connections: Safe Connections’ award-winning, nationally-accredited programs reduce the impact and incidence of domestic and sexual violence through youth education, 24-hour crisis care, and therapy for adult and teen survivors.