PAWS FOR MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS

At Pelham City Schools, we want to work with our students, families and community on promoting positive mental health by increasing awareness. This newsletter is designed to increase one's knowledge on mental health as well as helpful tips to promote positive mental health.

If you have concerns regarding your student's mental health and need assistance finding resources, contact your school's counselor or district mental health coordinator.

There is a great quote from an article on Psych Central blog, "Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words can change your brain." As a child's brain develops, its busy soaking up everything around it, including the words they hear. Positive words help promote a positive self-esteem as well as positive physical and emotional health. One of the most powerful phrases to a child is when a parent says, “I love you.” There are several different reasons to tell your child that you love them.

• Unconditional love helps communicate that they are truly valued
• Gives them someone to trust
• Increases ability to cooperate with others
• Allows them to make mistakes
• Takes away Fear
• Encourages motivation to love/care for others
• Encourages them to be open to positive relationships

“I love you,” is a powerful phrase. Tell your child you love them daily. Get creative. Put a note in their lunch box, leave a sticky note on the bathroom mirror, or a simple text to their phone. February is known as the month of love but “I love you” can be said year around.

As parents, we take on many roles for our children. We are providers, protectors, leaders, role models, and pillars of support. One of the most challenging times is when our children experience a loss. Oxford Language defines loss as the fact or process of losing something or someone. Many are quick to think that the grieving process is when there is a death which is often the most intense type of grief; however, any type of loss can cause grief. For children and adolescents, loss comes in all shapes and sizes. From a loss of a friendship, parents’ divorce or moving to a new school. While as adults, we may see these losses as trivial; they are valid to our children. Here are a few tips to help your student cope with loss.

• Be willing to listen and not try to fix it.
• Allow your child to express emotions as they come up. Don’t force it.
• Affirm your child’s emotion. Help them understand that whatever the loss, it’s personal to them. Never feel ashamed of how you are feeling.
• Support healthy coping skills such as journaling, running, sports, etc.

While loss and grief is an inevitable part of life, there are ways to cope and eventually find a way to move on. Grief does not follow a predictable timeline. It takes time and eventually we are stronger and capable of focusing on the positive memories versus the feelings of loss and the pain of grief. Whatever the grief is, be patient with your child or yourself and allow the process to happen.

Join the Pelham Family in a new community event focused on letting others know #YouMatter.
The Panther Fun Run and Walk will take place on Saturday, February 25 at 2 p.m. at the Pelham Rec Center Walking Trail and encourages our community to come together to "run for someone you love".

Registration is only $20 and includes a t-shirt. Registration information can be found on PCS website.

Debra Brinson, LICSW

Email: dbrinson@pelhamcityschools.org
Website: pelhamcityschools.org
Location: 3160 Pelham Parkway, Pelham, AL, USA
Phone: 205 624-3700