For parents and guardians of school-age children worried about how they’re faring during the coronavirus pandemic, a new state website aims to provide resources for when to worry and what to do.
The website, handholdma.org, has been launched by three state agencies: the Office of the Child Advocate, the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Mental Health. The site’s content, which is targeted to families with kids between 6 and 12, was developed by a team of mental health and child development experts, and family and community partners, the state said.
Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders said in a statement that the site was created to help parents better understand their child’s mental health and find available resources.
The site includes what signs may indicate that a child’s behavior is something to worry about, tips for what can be done from home to help, and what community organizations and government resources are available for additional services. It is available in six languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, Haitian Creole and Vietnamese.
