COVID-19 and adolescent health – helpful resources to consider

  • We are aware that COVID-19 is impacting on the health and wellbeing of young people, below is a list of adolescent and young adult focused resources that may be helpful.

    The Centre for Community Child Health has developed a COVID-19 and Kids Resource Hub which brings together the latest research and evidence-based resources on COVID-19 and kids.

    Mental health & wellbeing

    Australian Government, Department of Health 

    Chatstarter - Helping parents and young people support each other. Having a small chat can make a big difference. The easy-to-use tips and resources below have been developed by mental health clinicians to help build your confidence and capability to support a friend or loved one who may be experiencing distress or a mental health challenge today. 

    Chatstarter

    Hospitals Contribution Fund, Australia

    If you’ve spotted the warning signs of mental health issues in your teen, it’s vital to chat with them about what they’re feeling. Here’s how to start the conversation.

    Talking to teens about mental health: here are the questions to ask

    Hospitals Contribution Fund, Australia

    From learning about ‘social distancing’ to wondering what the future holds, the younger members of your family probably have as many questions about COVID-19 (also known as coronavirus) as you do. Here are some ways to help them feel heard and supported.

    How to support teenagers during the coronavirus crisis

    Beyond Blue, Australia

    Beyond Blue have collated resources and information to support children and young people during this time.

    Supporting children and young people

    Headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation, Australia

    Headspace have collated additional resources, tools, useful links and information to help youth during this time.

    Headspace is still here for you during Coronavirus (COVID-19)

    Foundation for Young Australians, Australia

    If you’re aged 12-29 or support those who are, here’s the ultimate list of resources, referrals and services to help.

    Helping Young People During COVID-19: The Go-to Guide

    ReachOut, Australia

    While it can sometimes feel like you're alone in your loneliness, it's actually a very common experience. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic can make things even harder, but there are lots of things you can do to start feeling connected again.

    Loneliness and COVID-19

    Youth Action, Australia 

    Multiple resources for both parents and young people on how to face situations that arise during COVID-19. 

    Young people and covid19

    Smiling Mind, Australia

    Thrive inside: mindfulness and other mental health practices including for young people. 

    Feeling it: mental wellbeing videos for secondary students – mixes CBT, ACT, mindfulness practices in an engaging and digestible way. 

    Jack.org, Canada

    A hub of resources to help you take care of yourself and look out for the people you love during this challenging time.

    COVID-19 Youth Mental Health Resource Hub

    Association for Young People’s Health, UK

    At this time young people and those who care for them are seeking advice and support. There are many sources of information on Covid-19, how to look after ourselves and others and how to access more support.

    Covid-19: Information for young people

    Physical distancing & general information

    The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia 

    This website contains information for parents and carers to help them support their children and answer their questions during this challenging and uncertain time. 

    Supporting your child to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic 

    Foundation for Young Australians, Australia

    If you’re aged 12-29 or support those who are, here’s the ultimate list of resources, referrals and services to help.

    Helping Young People During COVID-19: The Go-to Guide

    Raising Children Network, Australia

    Find information on coronavirus (COVID-19) and protective hygiene, plus tips to help you and your family cope.

    Information for parents and carers

    ARACY, Australia

    Introducing the Australian Children's Knowledge Acceleration Hub, a new initiative by ARACY and UNICEF Australia to ensure that the impacts of COVID-19 on children and adolescents in Australia are fully understood and communicated to decision-makers at all levels.

    Australian Children's Knowledge Acceleration Hub

    Orygen, Australia

    Orygen have collated additional resources, tools, useful links and information to help youth during this time.

    Responding to the Covid-19 Outbreak

    Hospitals Contribution Fund, Australia

    From learning about ‘social distancing’ to wondering what the future holds, the younger members of your family probably have as many questions about COVID-19 (also known as coronavirus) as you do. Here are some ways to help them feel heard and supported.

    How to support teenagers during the coronavirus crisis

    ReachOut, Australia

    It's been a stressful time all around the world as we deal with COVID-19 and the uncertainty it brings. Here are some resources to help you manage your wellbeing through all this.

    Coping during coronavirus (COVID-19)

    Student Voice Hub, Victorian Department of Education and Training, Australia.

    VicSRC are making all newly released information from the Department of Education and Training as accessible as possible to students.

    VicSRC's COVID-19 resources

    Youth Action, Australia 

    Multiple resources for both parents and young people on how to face situations that arise during COVID-19. 

    Young people and covid19

    Australian Government, Department of Health 

    Chatstarter - Helping parents and young people support each other. Having a small chat can make a big difference. The easy-to-use tips and resources below have been developed by mental health clinicians to help build your confidence and capability to support a friend or loved one who may be experiencing distress or a mental health challenge today. 

    Chatstarter

    WHO

    These questions and answers were developed by the World Health Organization, UNESCO, UNFPA and UNICEF.

    Q&A for Adolescents and Youth Related to COVID-19

    ChildMind Institute, USA

    Are you a parent or youth worker directly seeing the effects of confinement from COVID-19 in teenagers and young adults? ChildMind Institute has put together this helpful resource for you.

    Supporting Teenagers and Young Adults During the Coronavirus Crisis

    UNFPA and IFRC

    A guidance note to assist humanitarian actors, youth-led organisations, and young people themselves across sectors, working at local, country, regional, and global levels in their response to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

    COVID-19: Working with and for young people

    Association for Young People’s Health, UK

    At this time young people and those who care for them are seeking advice and support. There are many sources of information on Covid-19, how to look after ourselves and others and how to access more support.

    Covid-19: Information for young people

    The Conversation, Australia 

    Resource for multiple practical strategies to help young people manage lockdowns and COVID-19. 

    Article: How to support kids’ and teens’ mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic

    Johns Hopkins Medicine, USA 

    Article on monitoring and managing the young person in your life’s mental and physical wellbeing. 

    Article: Staying at Home During COVID-19: How to Help Teens Cope

    Education & work

    Department of Education, Skills and Employment, Australia

    This page contains information for students, families, schools, and education authorities.

    Coronavirus (COVID-19) information for schools and students

    Orygen, Australia

    Orygen have collated additional resources, tools, useful links and information to help youth during this time.

    Responding to the Covid-19 Outbreak

    Headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation, Australia

    Headspace have collated additional resources, tools, useful links and information to help youth during this time.

    Headspace is still here for you during Coronavirus (COVID-19)

    Student Voice Hub, Victorian Department of Education and Training, Australia

    VicSRC are making all newly released information from the Department of Education and Training as accessible as possible to students.

    VicSRC's COVID-19 resources

    Foundation for Young Australians, Australia

    If you’re aged 12-29 or support those who are, here’s the ultimate list of resources, referrals and services to help.

    Helping Young People During COVID-19: The Go-to Guide

    Beyond Blue, Australia

    Educator self-care is important for supporting children and young people during the coronavirus outbreak. Beyond Blue have collated resources and information to support children and young people during this time.

    Coronavirus (COVID-19): Supporting educators, children and young people

    Black Dog Institute, Australia

    Useful list of resources for schools and parents to implement throughout the pandemic, focusing on issues such as home-schooling, loneliness, and screen safety. 

    Coronavirus resources

    Podcasts

    Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Australia

    A guide for parents of adolescents. Professor George Patton and Dr Lisa Mundy provide tips on positive change, creating new routines and dealing with disruption in school.

    Transitioning back to school

    Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Australia

    Are you parenting secondary school-aged children during COVID-19? Professor Susan Sawyer and Dr Rohan Borschmann provide useful tips on anxiety, boundary pushing and talking to teenagers.

    Parenting in the age of coronavirus

    The Maze Phase- COVID-19, Australia

    GP Bianca Forrester speaks with Mr Paul Dawson, an assistant Principal who describes the transition to remote learning and what he'd like to see happen in preparation for heading back to school. Infectious diseases physician A/Prof Deb Friedman describes the overall pandemic strategy in Australia and unpacks the science informing the decision making.

    Covid-19 – back to school

    The Guardian, UK 

    Stories from adolescents facing the pandemic and how it has affected them, and advice from clinical psychologist Dr Polly Waite on how to support young people through this time. More resources throughout. 

    Conversations with kids about coronavirus

    Harvard University, USA 

    Useful resource on the importance of caring for yours and your child’s mental health as you navigate the pandemic. 

    Mental health in a locked down world

    Kids Helpline, Australia

    Useful conversational episodes relating to young people’s lives during lockdown, including specific focuses on body image and loss of work.  

    H R U?

    Emerging Minds, UK

    Multiple resources on helping your child through lockdown, with focuses including self-harm, screen time, and school reintegration.  

    Covid podcast

    University of QLD, Australia

    Founder of the internationally acclaimed Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, Professor Matthew Sanders is a world-leading parenting expert. In this podcast series, he’ll be answering your questions and providing real, actionable advice to help you steer your household through these uncharted waters.

    Parenting in a Pandemic