If you’re unsure how to talk your child about coronavirus, or looking for support yourself, our dedicated Child & Family Counselling team have compiled a list of resources that you might find helpful.
Keep an eye on this page as we’ll continue to update new resources as we find them.
Up-to-date information about coronavirus:
Official Australian Government COVID website: https://www.australia.gov.au/
- Coronavirus Australia app
- Apple download: https://apps.apple.com/au/app/coronavirus-australia/id1503846231
- The Australian Government’s WhatsApp chat accessible here.
- Health alerts: https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert
- Map/data: https://elm.nsupdate.info/virus/#world
- NSW Department of Education advice: https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/school-safety/novel-coronavirus
- Downloadable resources in different languages: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/collections/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-resources
Health advice about coronavirus:
- Information on symptoms and where to get tested: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-to-protect-yourself-and-others/clinics
- Information about the effect of coronavirus on babies, kids and pregnant women: https://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2020-03-24/coronavirus-covid-babies-pregnancy-children-kids/12080892
- Raising Children Network: https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/a-z-health-reference/coronavirus-and-children-in-australia
Mental health resources:
- A new 24/7 support service specifically designed to help people through the COVID-19 pandemic is now available free of charge to all Australians: https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au
- Excellent list of videos, resources and worksheets to support your family’s mental health: https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/supporting-children-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak/
- Helping kids cope with stress poster: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/helping-children-cope-with-stress-print.pdf?sfvrsn=f3a063ff_2
Tips for talking to your children about coronavirus:
- Tips from The Conversation on talking to your children about coronavirus: 8 tips on what to tell your kids about coronavirus
- Psychology Today:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/little-house-calls/202003/parenting-during-covid-19
https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/little-house-calls/202003/parenting-during-covid-19-part-2
- Hey Sigmund: https://www.heysigmund.com/help-kids-feel-calm/
- How to speak to my child about Coronavirus: COVID-19 parents and carers support for students 10 3 2020
- Information for parents – talking to children about COVID-19: https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-climate-safety-and-crisis/health-crisis-resources/talking-to-children-about-covid-19-(coronavirus)-a-parent-resource?ck_subscriber_id=630710601
