A large part of anxiety comes from a sense of what we think we should be able to control, but can’t. Right now, many of us are worried about COVID-19, known as the “Coronavirus”. We may feel helpless about what will happen or what we can do to prevent further stress. If you are struggling, here are some things you can do to take care of your mental health in the face of uncertainty:

A resource for parents on how best to talk to children about the coronavirus (COVID-19).

News of the coronavirus COVID-19 is everywhere, from the front page of all the papers to the playground at school. Many parents are wondering how to bring up the epidemic in a way that will be reassuring and not make kids more worried than they already may be. Here is some advice from the experts at the Child Mind Institute.

Many parents and teachers are wondering what to say to kids during these extraordinary times. We don’t want to scare kids, but we must be truthful and find ways to talk to them honestly and hopefully about COVID-19.

Dr Phil McRae of the Alberta Teachers’ Association invited his friend and colleague, Dr Michael Rich—Pediatrician at Boston Children’s Hospital and Professor at Harvard Medical School and School of Public Health—to discuss how parents and teachers can get through this together with our kids.

The resulting interactive PDF and online resource provide suggestions on what might be said to children and youth during the pandemic, what can be done to support our public health care system, and how we will get through this together.

This New York Times article details advice from experts on how parents can help teens be prepared and have the right information about the coronavirus.

Maintaining and communicating predictable routines is very important. Doing so helps students to maintain a sense of psychological safety—a sense that they can manage stress or connect with someone who can help them manage stress.

This Coronavirus Sanity Guide supports parents navigate children's anxiety about the coronavirus through practical, actionable ways of coping with stress, fear, and anxiety. The meditations, podcasts, blog posts, and talks on this website will help build resilience and find some calm amidst the chaos.

As a society, we have been on a trajectory that is simply not sustainable. Perpetual economic growth is impossible and GDP is a poor measure of a country’s wellness. Mother nature has been crying out for help to no avail. Our school systems are outdated. Our values are out of whack. We worship the wrong heroes. We are overly materialistic and have forgotten the simple pleasures, the things which matter most. We are connected but more disconnected than ever. What if the Coronavirus is the ultimate pause and reset button?

The Science Centre has just launched a new science information project called Understanding COVID-19. This site provides information about viruses and provides links to more information about immunity and infections.