Actions for Heroes: Guide for Heart – to – Heart

Actions for Heroes, a guide for heart-to-heart chats with children to accompany reading of My Hero is you, How kids can fight COVID-19!

The Actions for Heroes Guide is developed by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings (IASC MHPSS RG) to accompany reading the children’s storybook My Hero is You, How kids can fight COVID-19!.

The storybook My Hero is You explains how children can protect themselves, their families and their friends from the coronavirus and how to manage difficult emotions when confronted with our new and rapidly changing reality. The storybook has been translated into 135+ languages and multimedia adaptations have been made.

It is recommended that adults read the storybook WITH children. As they read the storybook, Actions for Heroes directs adults about how to have heart-to-heart chats with children and educates them about coping with COVID-19 related stressors and changes. It explains how adults can create safe spaces for children to openly share their feelings, including their fears and worries, about the coronavirus and frustrations at their changed daily lives. The Guide also directs adults on how to promote positive actions that children can take to protect themselves and others. 

Actions for Heroes is an accompaniment to My Hero is You that will benefit caregivers and teachers reading My Hero is You. The intervention was developed through a comprehensive consultation, and field testing process among IASC MHPSS RG Members and countries using My Hero is You.

We hope this resource will support children, their caregivers and their teachers during these exceptional times.