Heavy news and world events can impact emotions, stress levels, and mental health­ - especially for kids and teens.

Young people are hearing about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) actions from friends, social media, school and the adults around them. They may witness I.C.E. activity in their community or be fearful for themselves or loved ones. Below are some resources for talking with children about I.C.E. activities navigating heavy news and coping in stressful times.

How to talk to your child about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) actions

Navigating conversations with your kids about heavy topics can be challenging. But what young people don’t hear clearly, they often fill in with fear.

You don’t need perfect words.
You need honest, calm, age-appropriate ones.

When discussing I.C.E. actions in your community or on the news, keep the following tips in mind:

  1. Check in about what your child already knows or has heard.
  2. Talk about what’s happening in an age-appropriate way.
  3. Make space for and validate feelings.
  4. Help your child process feelings and care for themselves.
  5. Explain your family’s values and how they apply.

Listen to this episode of the Supporting Supporters podcast for tips on working with a child who has experienced trauma.

Below are specific tips for discussing this topic at different stages of development.

Ages 3–6 years

Keep it simple and reassuring

What to say:

  • “You might hear about someone doing something scary or unkind. Sometimes people do scary things, but there are also a lot of people who want to help. In our family, we try our best to be kind.”
  • “A lot of people are feeling big feelings like being scared or angry. It’s okay to talk about your big feelings with me.”
  • “You can always come to me with your questions. My job is to keep you safe. I will always do my best to do that for you.”

What helps:

  • Short answers. Keep it loving, simple and factual with compassion.
  • Reassurance through routines.
  • Extra comfort (snuggles, play, consistency).

Avoid:

  • Too much detail... less is more.
  • News playing in the background.
  • Being on social media while they're around, especially as it's unknown what sort of language or sounds will be played on the videos in your feed.
Ages 7–11 years

Name feelings and invite questions

What to say:

  • “You might hear people talking about immigration. Immigration is when people move from one country to another. What have you heard?”
  • “Some people are being treated differently because of the color of their skin or what country they come from. Because of this, many people are feeling scared and staying home from school. What have you noticed?”
  • “It’s okay to feel confused, scared, or upset. You can always talk to me.”
  • "My job as your ____ (mom, dad, grandparent, etc.) is to do my best to keep you safe. Here's what we are doing to keep our family safe... What else would help you feel safe?"
  • “There are a lot of ways to support our community right now. Let’s talk about how we can support together.”

What helps:

  • Letting them ask questions.
  • Correcting misinformation gently by asking where they heard what they are sharing. Acknowledge that the abundance of information online and on the news can make it hard to know what believe or how to feel.
  • Checking in more than once.
  • Talking about how your family is supporting community.

Avoid:

  • Minimizing fears (“It’s not a big deal”).
  • Making promises you can’t guarantee, like "this won't happen in our neighborhood."
Ages 12–18 years

Be open and invite discussion

What to say:

  • “This is a complex situation, and it’s okay to have strong feelings about it. Can you tell me what you've heard or seen? How does hearing/seeing that make you feel?”
  • “There's a lot of information out there, and different perspectives. It can be confusing to know what to believe. Let’s talk about what’s true and what’s not.”
  • “There are a lot of ways to support our community right now. Let’s talk about how we can support together.”
  • For kids going places independently: “It can be hard to make decisions in the middle of a scary situation. Let’s make a plan for what you will do if you see or experience something scary.”

What helps:

  • Listening more than talking.
  • Validating emotions.
  • Encouraging healthy ways to cope, such as taking breaks from media, practicing self-care, or connecting with others.
  • Brainstorming and providing resources for how they can take action in ways that feel meaningful to them.

Avoid:

  • Shutting the conversation down
  • Assuming they’re “fine"

Navigating heavy news together

The resources below can help you manage your media intake so you can stay informed while also taking care of your mental well-being.

  • Stay informed without feeling overwhelmed

    Learn simple, practical ways to stay informed without feeling overwhelmed. This blog shares tips to help teens and families manage news overload, reduce stress, and protect their mental well-being while staying connected to what matters.

    Read now

  • How to chill while still being in the know

    Feeling overwhelmed by your social media feed? This blog shares simple, practical tips to help teens stay informed, manage digital stress, and find healthier balance online — without sacrificing their mental well-being.

    Take a look

Coping in times of stress

Coping with heavy news and community trauma takes a toll on your body and mind. In times of stress, you may notice yourself cycling between feelings of normalcy, energy, and responses such as exhaustion, irritability or numbness. We must take care of ourselves to best respond to and care for others. Here are some ways to cope:

  • Take time to care for your mental well-being.

    Make a plan for how you will take care of your mental wellbeing. For some people, breathing or relaxation exercises will be most helpful whereas others may respond best to moving their body through exercise or mindful movement.

  • Practice compassion with yourself and others.

    This can feel especially challenging when situations change quickly and so much feels out of our control. Accessing and expressing compassion requires us to first slow down and focus on being mindful and present. Notice the suffering you and others are experiencing, allow yourself to acknowledge and understand that suffering, and then be motivated to help. Listen to this episode of the Supporting Supporters podcast for more on compassion.

  • Connect with and support others.

    Social connections are essential during challenging times. Check in regularly with your neighbors and loved ones and ask for help when you need it. Many groups are organizing to provide resources and support to their community. Look for opportunities to get involved or work with trusted neighbors to establish your own network of support. 

  • Shop locally.

    In the Twin Cities, business has been disrupted for many local shops and restaurants. You can support by trying a new restaurant with friends, picking up groceries from a local vendor, and buying from local creators.

  • Take action in ways that feel appropriate, helpful, and meaningful to you.

    Working to create changes you’d like to see can help provide a sense of purpose or control. Maybe it’s volunteering, or offering your time and skills to churches, food shelves, and organizations that are helping individuals and families in need. Perhaps it's speaking up about issues that matter to you by participating in a social action or advocating with your local representatives or community leaders. You have the right to use your voice to create change.

  • 988 Crisis Lifeline in Spanish

    24/7, free and confidential Spanish language mental health crisis support.

    Línea 988 en Español: Servicios gratuitos en español las 24 horas del día, los 7 días de la semana

    • Llame: Marque 988 y presione 2
    • Texto: Envía la palabra AYUDA a 988

    Website

  • Minnesota Warmline

    The Minnesota Warmline provides texting support in Spanish, Hmong, Vietnamese, Somali, Simplified Chinese every day 9:00 pm to 1:00 a.m. Text 844-739-6369.

    Phone calls with translation services also available every day 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. Call 844-739-6369.

    More information

Minnesota organizations specializing in easy access, culturally tailored resources

  • Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio (CLUES)

    Provides Behavioral Health Services tailored to Latine/o/a individuals.

    • Servicios de salud mental y emocional en Español
    • Central de la Clínica (main phone number): 612-404-2600
    • Teléfono de Intake (intake phone number): 612-439-9671

    Website

  • Roots Wellness Center

    Provides multi-lingual immediate, no-cost mental health therapy for those experiencing fear, grief or trauma.

    Call 612-289-5656

    Website

  • Canvas Health

    Provides Behavioral Health Services in Somali, Hmong and Spanish.

    Call 651-777-5222

    Canvas Mobile Crisis Services

    Mobile Crisis Response Services are available in every county in Minnesota as well as Tribal Nations. Mobile crisis clinicians offer phone, telehealth, and in-person, on-site mental health support services. Services are available in any language with the support of qualified interpreters, and in some cases, through bilingual staff.

    Website

  • Wilder

    Provides comprehensive mental health services in a variety of languages.

    Call 651-280-2310. Same day appointments available at Wilder Center Clinic.

    Website

  • Minnesota Community Care

    Provides mental health services available in a variety of languages.

    Call 651-793-2226

    Website

Virtual Care

Many healthcare providers offer virtual care for most non-emergency appointments, including mental health.