SAC Corner

You may have heard of the show Ginny & Georgia that released season two, this year, in January. Personally, I love the show and find it to be really well done. However, there are some major themes that address mental health and related issues. A few are:

• Self-harm (specifically intentional burning)
• Body Dysmorphia (taping, vomiting, etc.)
• Underage Drinking (used to cope w/ depression)
• Underage Smoking
• Race & Identity (need to be heard, seen, to have space, culture, &more)

I am including a blurb on this because I have heard from students in 6th - 12th grade that this is one of their favorite shows. It may be a good idea to talk to your student and ask if they watch the show, identify with a specific character or theme (&why), etc.

Although this show is a hot topic, so many of adolescents' preferred shows are covering these themes. Always check in on not just what your student is watching, but why they like it or identify with it.

As you have likely heard, there was a shooting during a Lunar New Year celebration. If you or your loved one is struggling with the violence, specifically in the AAPI community, here are some resources listed below. Hate crimes against the AAPI community in the US spiked 339% last year. 3/4 AAPI women reported experiencing racism, discrimination, or both.

1. Asian Mental Health Collective: asianmhc.org, IG: @asianmentalhealthcollective
2. Asian LifeNet 24-Hour Hotline: Call 1-877-990-8585, (Cantonese, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Fujianese are offered).
3. National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA)
   
4. Racial Trauma Toolkit by Boston College: Full manuscript here.
   
5. 61 Ways to Donate in Support of Asian Communities
   
6. Report Hate Crimes
   
7. https://asianamericanstudies.cornell.edu/anti-racism-resources-aapi-community <-- linked resources
   
8. https://aahiinfo.org/aahi-resources/ <-- AAHI Resource Library
   
9. https://www.theskimm.com/news/something-needs-to-stop-the-fears-aapi-women-are-living-with-in-the-us <-- hear from some impacted women
   
10. https://stopaapihate.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Stop-AAPI-Hate-Mental-Health-Report-210527.pdf <-- Stop AAPi Hate Mental Health Report
    
11. The book How Does It Feel To Be A Problem by Moustafa Bayoumi talks about being Arab and Muslim Americans in a country that can at times vilify them (part of the AAPI community)

In the linked article, you will see a focus on RBTS, however the symptoms of traumatic stress could be from non-racially experienced/involved stress too. At a time when we are seeing higher rates of violence against BIPOC communities and people, it is important to highlight health concerns that may be arising such as chronic pain, stress, intrusive thoughts, etc. It is also important to highlight ways to cope such as finding a support system, professional care, routines, etc.

You may not be experiencing this stress, but you may be a caregiver or supporter of someone who has, and you may also be stressed or experiencing compassion fatigue. Learn about boundaries and outlets for your own emotions.

What:

People who regularly use cannabis may experience worse pain and/or nausea after surgery. It is now recommended that anesthesiologists be informed, if a patient is undergoing procedures using regional or general anesthesia, if the patient smokes, vapes, or ingest cannabis. They will want to know how often and what form.

Why:

The worse pain and nausea may require more opioid analgesia.

One Step Further:

Opioids are highly addictive. Increasing dosage, frequency of use, or duration of use can all be risky in the long term. See the image below for questions to ask your doctor before taking an opioid prescription.

Takeaway:

Even if cannabis use doesn't appear to impact your day to day, it is chemically changing your body's tolerances and reactions. It may also impede or complicate your life should you ever need surgery. Cannabis use is not harmless, especially for youths who are not physically nor mentally fully developed.

2022 Study: https://rapm.bmj.com/content/early/2023/01/05/rapm-2022-104013

What:

Surgeons and nurses have been reprimanded and some with suspension of licensure due to inappropriate social media posts regarding patients, the experience, etc.

Most concerning are live streams on Tiktok, Instagram, and Snapchat of surgeries. Although a doctor doing this may receive patient consent, there is still a large risk factor in distraction.

Application:

This applies to all of us if we are going to a surgeon for a procedure, we may want to clarify it will not be recorded or livestreamed. Additionally, we want to be sure that we are teaching youths the dangers and addictions of social media. Social media has come at us quickly and it isn't just youths being lured in to the allure of followers and likes. It is still important to make sure priorities, wellbeing, and risk are understood.

It's 2023, we are ALL online. The question now is, are you online safely?

Check out this special edition SAC Corner guide on how to do safety checks on your online presence, as well as some standard use tips. Guide here:

https://www.smore.com/0x9nb

Fill It Forward partners with organizations and companies to provide clean water to those in need. They extend the project to the public by having QR code stickers you can purchase and put on your reusable water bottles. Every time you fill up your reusable water bottle, you scan the sticker using the app and it contributes to clean water donation. Other than the sticker, it is no cost to you (unless you want to donate), the organizations and companies donate off the scans.

I have a sticker on mine and it is super easy!

If certain content is sensitive or a "trigger" for you, try using this website:

https://triggerwarningdatabase.com/ for books

http://www.doesthedogdie.com before watching a new movie, tv show, or reading a new book. It lists a wide variety of content warnings. It is public/user driven - like Wikipedia.

If you'd like your student to join a free online vaping education class to learn the truth about vaping and receive a completion certificate, have them sign up here:

Have students go to everfi.com/register, enter code 8bdfd959 and click Next.

This is a Truth course supported by EverFi and monitored by our district SAC (me).

Newport Academy is offering a guide on how to do a mental health temperature check with your teen(s) using 10 questions. Newport Academy also offers ways to incorporate evidence based "temperature" lowering activities into your teen's life and routine. Check it out!

https://www.newportacademy.com/resources/mental-health/mental_health_temperature_check/?utm_source=pardot&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11_09_21_na_resources_temp_check&utm_content=1st_img

Do you have a student you feel needs to meet with me? Print and fill out this referral form and send it to me.

Click the title to be taken to Megan Thee Stallion's new website that acts as a landing page for mental health resources. CAUTION: the website title and linked song both use language deemed inappropriate.

The website includes therapy connections, including free therapy, resources for suicide, crisis, substance use, and more specifically labeled ones such as for: LGBTQ+, Black Girls, Black Men, and more.

Newport Academy/Institute is a treatment center/teen rehab. They are not in any way partnered nor affiliated with the Haddonfield School District.

They do provide a lot of free information and resources that I share when appropriate.

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Fentanyl: https://www.smore.com/8gb7ps

Doxxing: https://www.smore.com/0x9nb

Email: hpenna@haddonfield.k12.nj.us
Website: https://haddonfieldschools.org/
Location: A104 HMHS
Phone: 856-429-3960 . 1155