Mental Health Resources

PREP Academy Mental Health Team

School Social Worker – Lizzy Mitchell (e: elizabeth_mitchell@dpsk12.org p: 720.424.8455)

Guided Mindfulness

Youtube playlist of guided meditation here

Self-care means taking the time to do things that help you live well and improve both your physical health and mental health. When it comes to your mental health, self-care can help you manage stress, lower your risk of illness, and increase your energy. Even small acts of self-care in your daily life can have a big impact.

Here are some tips to help you get started with self-care:

Get regular exercise. Just 30 minutes of walking every day can help boost your mood and improve your health. Small amounts of exercise add up, so don’t be discouraged if you can’t do 30 minutes at one time.
Eat healthy, regular meals and stay hydrated. A balanced diet and plenty of water can improve your energy and focus throughout the day. Also, limit caffeinated beverages such as soft drinks or coffee.
Make sleep a priority. Stick to a schedule, and make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Blue light from devices and screens can make it harder to fall asleep, so reduce blue light exposure from your phone or computer before bedtime.
Try a relaxing activity. Explore relaxation or wellness programs or apps, which may incorporate meditation, muscle relaxation, or breathing exercises. Schedule regular times for these and other healthy activities you enjoy such as journaling.
Set goals and priorities. Decide what must get done now and what can wait. Learn to say “no” to new tasks if you start to feel like you’re taking on too much. Try to be mindful of what you have accomplished at the end of the day, not what you have been unable to do.
Practice gratitude. Remind yourself daily of things you are grateful for. Be specific. Write them down at night, or replay them in your mind.
Focus on positivity. Identify and challenge your negative and unhelpful thoughts.
Stay connected. Reach out to your friends or family members who can provide emotional support and practical help.

Self-care looks different for everyone, and it is important to find what you need and enjoy. It may take trial and error to discover what works best for you. In addition, although self-care is not a cure for mental illnesses, understanding what causes or triggers your mild symptoms and what coping techniques work for you can help manage your mental health.

For other ideas for healthy practices for your mind, body, surroundings, and relationships, see the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Wellness Toolkits .

Journaling Prompts

What are you grateful for?
What do you think are the biggest challenges for you so far?
When do you feel a relief?
Who can help you feel a relief?
What is your happiest moment of life?
What would be the title of your life now? Why?
If you could add, change or cancel the rule at home. What would it be?
Who do you trust the most? Why?
Who are the people that you love the most? What are their characteristics?
What is your scariest moment (real life or fantasy moment..)
When do you feel the happiest?
What makes you feel uncomfortable?
What makes you happy?
How do you think others see you? Why?
What is the first symptom you notice when you feel anxious/stressed/sad?
How can you help yourself to relieve the anxiety, stress, sadness?
Tell about time when you felt really mad.
What frightens you?
In your opinion, what is the best movie you‘ve ever seen. Why?
What is something you feel nervous about right now?
Write about the hardest moments in your life – what would be different now if you had made a different choice?
Write about the hardest moments in your life. What benefits have you gotten from your mistakes?
What makes you angry?
What topics are you afraid to talk about? Why?

Gratitude

a person I’m glad to have in my life.
something I find comfort in
my favorite part of the morning
my favorite memory
an accomplishment I’m proud of
a hidden blessing in a difficult situation
an opportunity I’m grateful for
my favorite song (& why)
a life lesson I have learned
the biggest gift in my life right now
a future event I’m excited about
some positive news I’ve gotten recently
my favorite area in my home
a memory that makes me smile
something beautiful I saw today
my favorite part of the evening
my guilty pleasure
one good thing that happened today
how I show gratitude for my friends
something I love about a family member
something positive about my body
a challenge I’m grateful for
a compliment that made me feel good
the best gift I’ve ever received
the item I treasure most
the people who mean the most to me
my favorite part about nature
something that made me laugh today
a book that I loved reading
a freedom I am grateful for

Sources of Strength

Use this worksheet to fill out or guide you in utilizing your sources of strength, resources, and healthy coping skills.

Coloring Pages

Teenage Coloring Pages Free Printable

Quick, Draw!

Can a neural network learn to recognize doodles? See how well it does with your drawing and help teach it, just by playing, Quick, Draw!

Animal Cameras

View all live cameras at the San Diego Zoo.

Safety Resources

Safe2Tell is an anonymous reporting system for the state of Colorado that allows anyone to report safety concerns in their community. Anonymous means that no one knows who makes the report. When a report is made to Safe2Tell it is sent to the agencies that can help! Safe2Tell logo

Safe2Tell flyer

Safe2Tell reporting

Suicide Prevention

Learn more about Suicide Prevention.

Self-Harm Awareness

Self-Harm Awareness

This link provides resources, warning signs, and how to get help if you or someone else is self-injuring though Mental Health Center of Denver. You can choose the language in the top left corner.

Este enlace proporciona recursos, señales de advertencia y cómo obtener ayuda si usted u otra persona se autolesiona a través del Mental Health Center of Denver. Puede elegir el idioma en la esquina superior izquierda.

Community Resources

Mental health resources that you can use to support yourself, a family member, or a loved one.

Mental Health Center of Denver (MHCD)

Mental Health Center of Denver (MHCD)

4353 E Colfax Ave., Denver, CO

Habla Español

Colorado Crisis and Support Line

Colorado Crisis and Support Line

1-844-493-8255

Text ‘TALK’ to 38255

National Suicide Hotline

National Suicide Hotline

1-800-273-8255

Text: 839863

Denver Health and Hospital

Denver Health and Hospital

303-602-7220

Habla Español

The Trevor Project

The Trevor Project

LGBTQ+ Focus, Helps Everyone

1-866-488-7386

Text ‘START’ to 678678

Denver Public Schools Department of Safety

Denver Public Schools Department of Safety

720-423-3911

Health Resources

There are many health resources available for DPS students and families to access medical care which are shown to the right. For additional questions please contact our School Nurse at shamae_matthews@dpsk12.net or 720-424-8460. In the case of an emergency, please call 911.

Denver Public Schools About COVID-19

Learn more information about DPS and COVID-19.

Applying for Medicaid

For Services Contact:

Medicaid@dpsk12.org

720-423-2660

Supervisor: Rosa Melendez-Nguyen

Email: rosa_melendez-nguyen@dpsk12.org

Denver Health School Based Centers

Denver Health School-Based Medical Providers will be available by phone to answer any medical questions you or your student might have; they can assist with non-urgent medical questions, medical refills, and help connect you to other Denver Health resources including Mental Health Services.

Students/families needing care should call the Denver Health School-Based Health Center Line at 720-424-2050 to access care.

If you are needing assistance and it is outside business hours or weekend you can contact the Denver Health nurse line at 303-739-1211. For medical records you can call 303-602-8000.

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Learn more information on COVID-19.

Guidelines for COVID-19 From The Center of Disease Control and Prevention

Learn more information and guidelines from the CDC about COVID-19.

Legal Assistance

Colorado’s Legal Help Center: http://www.coloradolegalhelpcenter.us/

Connecting Colorado’s unrepresented litigants to legal information, practical resources, and contact information for assistance with legal issues.

Standard Legal Forms: https://www.courts.state.co.us/Self_Help/Index.cfm See here for more legal resources.