Help And Hope: SPS Provides Mental Health Tips For Students Starting School Year

on August 10 The start of a new school year is often exciting, but it can be stressful for many students, whether they are in preschool or graduating high school.

As families prepare their children and youth for the start of the fall semester on Thursday, Stillwater Public Schools administrators and teachers are ready.

"Basic healthy lifestyle advice is important for adolescent mental health," said Kira Frisby, SPS' wellness and trauma response coordinator.

This includes tips like getting enough sleep each night (toddlers: 10-13 hours, school-aged children: 9-12 hours and teenagers: 8-10 hours), healthy eating, time outside, physical activity and limited social time . networks . .

"Establishing a daily routine at school is also very helpful," says Frisbee. "Communicate with your child, his teacher and the school. Listen and acknowledge their fears. Give them strategies to deal with their fears."

Frisbee says it's important to know when to ask for help.

"SPS has the most amazing school and community counselors to help you when you're worried your child might be struggling," says Frisbee. Stay tuned for updates from SPS and mental health professionals in the coming weeks for more resources, tips and advice. "

Across the country, more and more young people are reporting poor mental health, Frisbee said.

"That being said, we know that making strong connections and building relationships with young people can protect their mental health," Frisbee said.

He said this year all SSP staff received comprehensive mental health training.

"We believe that the more we talk about and educate about risk factors, warning signs and protective factors, the better we can help our students," Frisbee said.

Parents who encourage students to participate are also important protective factors.

"Feeling connected to others is really important for mental health," says Frisbee. "It doesn't matter if it's troop, band, gym, Boy Scouts, after school program, track and field. We even had a taco club in high school."

One of the biggest problems with SPS, especially for young people returning to school, is substance abuse.

"In the past year, there has been an increase in student nicotine and marijuana use," said SPS addiction counselor Rachel Roberts. "This issue is not just about SPS, it's about a national epidemic."

He said vaping is often easy to hide and sometimes students don't realize how addictive it is.

"Cannabis is a growing problem, and the main problem is how strong it is," Roberts said. "They often contain 90% tetrahydrocannabinol (TCH), which is bad for brain development."

Last week, SPS Superintendent Uwe Gordon emailed parents about an updated drug abuse response program.

"Thanks to the work of Health and Injury Response Coordinator Kira Frisby, we have received a major three-year grant and will use it to provide a multi-level support system to support students individually and as a team on multiple levels. We develop our positive culture by learning more about each other and improving communication within the company. and outside."

Lindy Zamborsky, SPS School Counselor, will oversee the multi-level support system for the Grant, Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Drug Services.

Frisbee said SPS is excited to start the year with clearer expectations for students and families, and a focus on expanding prevention efforts in the region.

Families can visit the SPS Mental Health and Wellbeing website at Stillwaterschools.com, which has extensive information about SPS and related community resources.

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