Leadership for Healthy People and Communities

The COVID-19 pandemic can be overwhelming for parents and concerning to children. Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton, MD, MPH, recommends that parents and others who work with young people strive to help them feel understood, empowered, and hopeful. She offers the below guidelines.

• Remind children that doctors and healthcare workers are learning as much as they can about the virus as quickly as possible and are doing what they can to keep everyone safe.
   
• Reassure children that they are safe. Let them know it is OK if they feel upset.
   
• Help children label strong emotions and understand how those emotions might drive them to act in unhelpful ways.

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