Focusing on the importance of Mental Health Stephanie Thornton, MSW School Social Worker - Orchard View Elementary Sarah Van’t Hof, MA, LPC School Counselor – Central High

 Resilient: (adj):  1) Able to bounce back after change or adversity.  2) Capable of preparing for, responding to, and recovering from difficult conditions.  Syn: tough

a style of child rearing in which an overprotective mother or father discourages a child's independence by being too involved in the child's life: In typical helicopter parenting, a mother or father swoops in at any sign of challenge or discomfort.

A parent who tries to smooth his or her children's paths through life by solving their problems for them.

 Typically parents want what is best for their kids and so do educators.  Important to keep in mind that in trying to help, we may actually be causing more harm than good.  Common Goal: Socialization & Independence

 America’s newly identified at-risk group: preteens and teens from affluent, well- educated families.  A significant proportion of FHPS families are considered families of affluence  Children from this group are experiencing the highest rates of depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, somatic complaints, and unhappiness of any group of children in the United States.  Are our students thriving?

 Up to 22% of adolescent girls from financially comfortable families suffer from clinical depression. (Three times the national rate of depression for adolescent girls.)  By the end of high school, as many as ⅓ of these girls can demonstrate clinically significant symptoms of anxiety.  Boys from affluent families also exhibit elevated rates of anxiety and depression early in high school.  For boys entering 11th and 12th grade, the most significant problem is the frequency with which they use drugs and alcohol to self-medicate their depression. Luthar, S.S & C. Sexton, (2005), “ The high price of affluence,” in R. Kail, ed., Advances in Child Development (San Diego, CA: Academic Press)

 According to research, the culture of affluence (consisting of material advantage, pressure to achieve, and perfectionism) is raising disconnected and dependent young people who have under- developed senses of self.  When the adults in a child’s life intervene for them, as opposed to supporting the child’s attempts to problem solve, the consequence is a non- autonomous youngster with no idea where he/she fits in.  In addition, an unintentional message that he/she is incapable or incompetent is often communicated. Luthar, S.S & C. Sexton, (2005), “ The high price of affluence,” in R. Kail, ed., Advances in Child Development (San Diego, CA: Academic Press)

 The desire to feel that actions originate from within: I can do it myself, I can handle it myself, I can figure it out myself. Young people with healthy senses of self are ready and able to “own” their lives.  Affluent children are often so protected from even the most minor disappointments and frustrations that the development of critical coping skills is significantly impaired.  Dr. David Fassler: “in order for young people to learn how to cope with normal frustrations, with ups and downs, they first have to experience them.”

I'm very durable. I hold up well during tough times. I have an independent spirit underneath my cooperative way of working with others. I've been made stronger and better by difficult experiences. I've converted misfortune into good luck and found benefits in bad experiences. Rate yourself from 1 to 5 on the following: (1 = very little, 5 = very strong)

1. Be positive & focus on strengths 2. Encourage team activities (extra-curriculars) 3. Mistakes are ok – encourage “sticktoitiveness” 4. Life is not fair 5. Set a good example

How can YOU help?  Promote AAA Events:  Jeff Yalden, Motivational Speaker from MTV ◦ November 4, 2014 at the Fine Arts Center ◦ November 4 & 5 at FHC, FHE, & FHN to talk to our students  Help increase awareness; we need our kids to build resilience to learn how to cope when difficult times occur.