Mental Health Caring Corner

Helpful Tips and Resources by the NMS Mental Health Team

Meet your Newton Mental Health/Wellness Team!

We are so excited to start this quarterly newsletter and provide helpful information and resources to all of our families here at Newton as you support your students.

We wanted to start by introducing you to the mental health/wellness team (left to right):

Dr. Wynne Bosik - School Psychologist
Megan Rotter - Social Worker supporting students with the last names A-K
Rosa Pae - School Psychologist
Jordan Verdie - Social Worker supporting students with the last names L-Z
Leslie Suh - Health Assistant in the Wellness area/Clinic

Mental Health During the Holiday Season

Acknowledging and celebrating holidays with our community at Newton

can bring much joy and happiness to many of our students, staff, and

faculty. It is a time of year where many families gather in celebration

together. While it can bring joy for many, it is important to remember that

the holidays can be a challenging time for many students and families

who have experienced loss, trauma, and other life experiences. Many

times, the holidays are a reminder of those challenges. Here are some tips to think about this holiday season:

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Practice self-care
Come up with a tradition-big or small, that everyone can look forward to
Remember many kids do well with routine..having breaks from school can dysregulate students. Have open communication about their feelings and needs
Students miss friends from school at this time, try to be open to listening and setting a schedule for hobbies and friends.
Encourage exercise

Please let any of the mental health team know if your student seems like they may need some additional support during the holiday season.

More Than the Blues? Kids and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Your child may feel sad or sluggish lately. For some, this feeling may be Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. Learn more in our blog.

connecticutchildrens.org

Community Resources

Backpack Society is a volunteer and community supported, non-profit food pantry to remove hunger and food insecurity for children-click this link for the various ways to receive food.
Integrated Family Community Services is program that connects families with food support and other basic services.

Backpack Society

Backpack Society is a 100% volunteer & community supported nonprofit food pantry, with a mission to remove food insecurity as an obstacle for children so they can grow, learn, and thrive.

backpacksociety.org

IFCS | Food Bank and More to Nourish Lives | Building Community

We are responding to our community's growing needs with food support and other basic services. Check out the programs we offer.

ifcs.org

Coping Skill Corner

A coping skill is a method someone will use to help them deal with a stressful situation.

Each newsletter, we will list a few coping skills that your child could use when needed!

Take some deep breaths

There are many different breathing methods such as:

Box Breathing: inhale for a count of four, hold breath for count of four, exhale for count of four, and hold breath one more time for a count of four.
Deep Breathing: Inhale for a count of four and exhale for a count of six.
Double Inhale: Breath in for a count of four to six, take another small breath at the top of inhale, and then exhale for four to six.

Move your body

Moving your body can help improve you mood, release endorphins, and distract your brain from negative thoughts. Some examples of movement would be:

Going on a walk
Playing your favorite sport
Stretching/Yoga
Dancing
Exercising

Practicing Gratitude

Practicing gratitude can help reduce negative thoughts, decrease stress, and help bring joy into your day. This could look like:

Keeping a gratitude journal
Write down or say out loud three things each day that you are grateful for.
Write a message to someone telling them how grateful you are for them.

Resources

Resources when school is out:

We love being able to support your student while they are here at school. When school is out for the evening, weekends, or breaks, we want to make sure you know of resources if you need any support during these times. Here are some resources:

LPS Security

They are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (during all breaks/holidays). You can get in contact with them immediately by calling them at: 303-347-3420. Here is their website with more information: https://littletonpublicschools.net/security-and-emergency-planning.

Colorado Crisis Center

They provide immediate support from trained professionals and peer specialists, available 24/7/365. You can call them at 844-493-TALK (8255) or text TALK to 38255.

Safe2Tell

They give students, parents, and community members a safe and anonymous way to report any threats which will then be sent to the necessary parties such as law enforcement. You can make a report by calling 877-542-7233 or texting S2TCO to 738477.