(NU) - As officials across the country decide how to open schools, one factor that is often overlooked is the mental health of students. Awareness of stress in our children is the first step in helping them to heal and prepare for learning.
COVID-19 has left many children feeling lonely and isolated. A study on the impact of closed spaces published in the June issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry concludes that young lonely people are three times more likely to sink into depression in the future, but more than that. their mental health can be affected for at least nine years as a result.
One answer? Since 2003, Health Corps has operated in much-needed schools, adding to existing health and wellness programs that emphasize physical activity, nutrition, mental health and social inclusion. These are young people who, even under normal circumstances, experience differences in access to health services based on their socio-economic status, location, race or nationality - which may have predictable outcomes. Specifically, high levels of chronic illness (including depression) and low levels of both your quality of life and life expectancy.
However, with our unique curriculum - created by senior health professionals and constantly updated to suit the needs of students - the students we work with are successful. They exercise more, eat better, and exercise more constructively. And, yes, they engage in their communities.
As stress has been a problem for many of these newcomers, one of the most requested lessons we were asked to bring to class even before the epidemic struck was “Bust My Stress.” And now? Add the feelings of isolation created by coronavirus to those statistics, and you begin to see how vulnerable our young people are.
As one of our Florida students told us sadly during the locks: “I still keep it, but I still think as bad as all night. I cry so much that I do not feel that way again in the morning. ”
Building mental stability has become a major focus of our work.
Of course, parents have a special role to play in the healing process of their children.
“They can help reassure teens that, just because they are nervous or nervous, does not mean that they are really at risk,” said Mark Goulston, M.D., a member of the Health Corps advisory board and expert on the facility. good tradition. "By reminding them that their bodies do not really understand fear, and by talking about it and discussing fear, both parent and child will feel better and closer."
The Health Corps program is delivered by highly qualified college graduates who are future medical and health policy experts. They interact with young people every day - though, these days, almost - and they have developed simple steps that can help teens in these difficult times. Among them:
• Meditate or try deep breathing techniques, which increase your body's natural ability to relax during periods of intense stress.
• Go.
• Put bedtime first.
• Talk to someone you trust.
• Do or watch something that makes you laugh.
• Keep a non-judgmental journal to help process ideas.
• Practice gratitude and positive speech.
The last thing. These and other tips, available on our new Instagram channel @datehealthvibe can also apply to adults.
Amy Braun is the CEO of Health Corps, a national nonprofit that provides health and wellness services to youth, parents and educators in high-need schools.
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