Back to school, back to health

Belmont High School students wearing yellow ribbons to show support for suicide prevention.

While some students may disagree, this time of year we call Back to School is an exciting time representing another stepping-stone in our children’s scholastic journey. Back to School is an opportunity to recommit, re-engage and reconnect with friends who were missed over the summer. The importance of connection and socialization for students cannot be overstated. Studies have shown that socializing with peers greatly improves mental well-being. By returning to school, students can immerse themselves in activities like sports, clubs, and social events, significantly boosting their overall emotional state. 

In addition to providing a rich learning environment, many of our schools also serve as health hubs in collaboration with public health organizations and healthcare providers that can have a profound impact on students' mental and physical health. These partnerships provide crucial mental health services, vaccinations, and health checkups, all while educating students about wellness. 

A great example of this is the recent Summer Learning Academy organized by The L.A. Trust for the Student Advisory Board (SAB) members from fifteen LAUSD Wellness Center campuses. This virtual event served as an orientation for incoming SAB members, fostering learning and collaborative planning for the upcoming school year. SAB members gained insight into their roles as peer health educators, navigators, and mobilizers within their school communities, championing healing, recovery, and youth empowerment. 

The students received informative training in QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Suicide Prevention, a critical skill given the concerning findings from a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The study, released in February 2023, highlighted a worrisome increase in sadness, violence, and suicidal ideation among teenage girls, with 75% of U.S. teen girls reporting persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in 2021. Equipped with this critical skill, they are better prepared to address mental health concerns and provide support to their peers in need. "Our student health leaders are catalysts for positive change. With their knowledge and compassion, they're shaping a healthier, brighter tomorrow for us all,” said Maryjane Puffer, Executive Director of The L.A. Trust. 

During the academy, students learned about the various services offered at their campus or nearby Wellness Center, including mental health care, vaccinations, and physical checkups. They also received training on maintaining well-being so they can share this information with their peers once school starts.  

Throughout the school year, students will participate in weekly training sessions led by an Adult Ally from The L.A. Trust. These sessions focus on four core competencies: mental health, substance abuse, sexual and reproductive health, and oral health. By delving into these subjects, students gain a comprehensive understanding of vital health topics that they can share with others. Moreover, students will have an opportunity to develop their marketing and communication skills by creating engaging social media posts, flyers, informative brochures, and organizing campus events to share their insights and experiences.  

As the school year begins and these extraordinary individuals step into the spotlight, The L.A. Trust celebrates their potential, applauds their commitment, and supports their endeavors. We are proud of our student health leaders. Armed with their ambitious energy and comprehensive health knowledge, their impact will shape our communities and spearhead our mission of providing education and access to high quality, compassionate care. 

Emotional self-regulation: an overlooked aspect of teen mental health

Emotional regulation is essential to teen mental health.

Emotional regulation is an important aspect of teen mental health that is frequently overlooked. Emotional regulation is the ability to effectively manage and regulate intense emotions like anger and anxiety, which can lead to depression or additional stress. It is therefore critical that we recognize the importance of emotional regulation and its five strategies in enhancing overall teenage mental health. 

One important part of emotional regulation is recognizing the source and trigger of emotions. During adolescence, hormones play a major role in affecting one's mood, while increased independence and responsibilities could also result in stress, anxiety, and extreme emotions. Therefore, it's paramount that young people learn how to identify the source and triggers of their emotions so they can better manage them. 

Improving communication skills is another key component of emotional regulation. Teenagers may have intense emotions but lack the ability to express themselves properly, which can have a detrimental effect on their mental health. To help improve communication, parents can encourage active listening, role-playing, and journaling activities, as well as help their teenagers distinguish between healthy and unhealthy communication methods. 

Cultivating Emotional Intelligence (EI) is important for effective emotional regulation. EI refers to understanding and managing emotions, empathy, and social skills. These skills can be developed through deliberate practices such as martial arts or meditative techniques, which strengthen the cognitive capacity to recognize, manage, and regulate feelings more efficiently. 

Creating safe environments can help make a big difference when it comes to reducing stimuli that impact emotional regulation negatively. Many school districts already have systems in place, and homes and social settings can provide safe spaces such as calm rooms or nature areas where students can relax, reflect on their emotions, or bond with others emotionally. 

Resilience plays an essential role in adolescent mental health as it links closely with emotion regulation; both are essential components for successful teenage development. To build resilience, teens can adopt positive thinking habits and problem-solving strategies while embracing the possibility of failure. Having positive relationships with family, friends, or community members can lead to a more positive outlook on life, ultimately equipping teens with the tools to successfully tackle stressful scenarios. 

Emotional regulation is essential to teen mental health, but requires further exploration through research and proactive measures by parents, schools, healthcare providers, and researchers. This involves identifying sources and triggers of emotions, improving communication skills, developing emotional intelligence, creating safe and nurturing environments, and building resilience. By focusing on these five strategies, parents, schools, and healthcare providers can enhance emotional regulation and improve teen mental health. It's crucial that we start incorporating emotional regulation techniques into our daily lives and provide resources for teenagers to manage stress effectively. 

Sources
UCLA Center for Developing Adolescents

Stress awareness month for teens

Stress has a significant impact on physical and mental health in teens.

April is Stress Awareness Month, and it's important to remember that teenagers often face a high level of stress due to external pressures in school, at home, and in their social lives. This can manifest as an increased heart rate, faster breathing, or tense muscles. Though some stress is natural and helps motivate children to get things done, too much stress can become overwhelming. As community members, healthcare providers, and parents we must provide the support and resources necessary for preteens and teenagers to cope with their stressors. Healthy coping mechanisms include physical exercise, talking to others about worries, or finding activities they enjoy. 

The Impact of Stress on Teens  

Stress has a significant impact on physical and mental health in teens. This includes physical symptoms like headaches, fatigue, stomach aches, and irritability, as well as emotional symptoms like depression and anxiety. Additionally, chronic or extreme levels of stress can have long-term effects on the developing brain. For example, high cortisol levels associated with long-term stress have been linked to decreased cognitive performance in teens.  

Managing Stress in Teens  

There are a variety of factors that can contribute to stress in teens. These include school demands and frustrations, negative thoughts or feelings about themselves, changes in their bodies, problems with friends, unrealistic expectations, strife at home, strained sibling relationships (including sibling bullying), illness in the family, and financial stress on the family. 

It is important for parents to recognize the signs of stress in their teens and help them develop healthy coping skills. This includes getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and engaging in activities that bring joy. Additionally, parents should encourage their teens to talk openly about their feelings and provide support when needed. 

As a parent, it is important to acknowledge your teen’s emotions and fears and take them seriously by listening. Avoid labelling your teen as "shy" or "anxious" and use positive reinforcement. Show love and empathy, make time for daily talks, promote healthy habits such as diet and exercise, and build a strong connection with your teens. If more help is needed, seek out professional support from a pediatrician or trusted psychologist/counselor. School counselors can also provide additional assistance. 

Stress Awareness Month serves as an important reminder for all of us to be mindful about the impact of stress on teenagers. By recognizing the signs of excessive stress and providing resources for managing it appropriately, we can help create a healthier environment for our young people so that they can thrive emotionally during this challenging time in their lives. Together, let’s make sure our teenagers know that they are not alone in this struggle.  


Sources
American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
American Psychological Association
CDC Coping with Stress

Students engage in conversation on mental health at our annual Summer Academy

Members of The L.A. Trust’s Student Advisory Boards prepared for the new school year at The L.A. Trust Student Health Summer Learning Academy online.

This July Student Advisory Board (SAB) members from ten LAUSD Wellness Center campuses  prepared for a new school year at The L.A. Trust’s annual Summer Learning Academy on student health. The virtual event served as an orientation for incoming students joining the SABs and was an opportunity for participants to learn more about us and collaborate on challenges for the coming year.

 “We had great participation from the students this year,” said Senior Program Manager Robert Renteria. “Students were engaged in conversations that covered topics such as consent, mental health, sexual and reproductive health and identity.”

Students from ten LAUSD campuses — Belmont, Carson, Crenshaw, Elizabeth Learning Center, Garfield, Jordan, Locke, Monroe, Santee and Washington — attended. The students were joined by staff members from The L.A. Trust’s student engagement team, LAUSD Adult Allies, and mental health professionals.

A video to educate teens about depression and what to do if you or a friend is depressed.

Tanya Mercado and Frank Dussan, psychiatric social workers from LAUSD, helped lead a discussion on mental health and resources. Attendees also watched and discussed More than Sad, a video on depression and the stigma surrounding mental health that keeps youth from seeking treatment. 

 “We are expecting this engagement to translate to a great year of health promotion on campuses,” Renteria said. “The students are crucial to the success of our school outreach. Peer to peer outreach is a proven strategy and our SAB members are prepared with information to help support other students in their path to health and success. We are inspired by their enthusiasm and creativity and we’re looking forward to a great school year ahead.” Other topics included data and public health, including The L.A. Trust Data xChange, selfcare, sexuality and identity, healthy relationship and how to create and conduct health campaigns. 

Seeking to reach more teens with TikTok grant

The L.A. Trust will pilot the TikTok Challenge with the Carson High School SAB.

The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health was recently awarded a six-month, $21,000 grant from the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and the Community Ambassador Network (CAN) Youth program to help reach students on the TikTok social media platform who may be suffering from emotional or mental distress.  In late 2021, TikTok rolled out new resources to support the well-being of its hundreds of millions of users, most of whom are teens and young adults. The resources include in-app videos that address “youth signs of struggling” and “youth steps to create a connection,” with an aim toward helping people who are dealing with mental health issues.

The CAN Youth Program TikTok Grant will be used by The L.A. Trust’s Student Advisory Boards (SAB) to spearhead a TikTok Challenge aimed at increasing mental health awareness and promotion among Los Angeles County youth. The L.A. Trust will pilot the TikTok Challenge with the Carson High School SAB.

“This is another great opportunity to engage our Student Advisory Boards and get our youth involved in creating a positive, healthy impact in their schools and their communities,” said Maryjane Puffer, executive director at The L.A. Trust. “The creativity of our students knows no bounds and we look forward to creating exciting new content - for students, by students.”

The L.A. Trust Student Advisory Boards are led by volunteer student health advocates who can hone their leadership skills by mentoring and training their peers. This social media investment aims to help educate teens on mental illness by developing and vetting a compilation of approved video messages for wellness, “how to help a friend;” “where to find support;” “you are not alone;” and “the teen line.”

Silent epidemic of mental illness

The mental health and well-being of students has gained greater urgency during the COVID-19 pandemic. Youth data from Mental Health America found that 60% of youth with major depression do not receive any mental health treatment. Youth experiencing mental health episodes continue to go untreated. Twenty-one percent of youth aged 13 to 18 live with mental illness severe enough to cause significant impairment in their daily lives. Three out of four children with mental health needs in California do not receive treatment.

Why TikTok

The pandemic has shown just how effective TikTok can be when trying to reach youth. Powered by a highly personalized content recommendation system, the TikTok video platform has broken download records, quickly becoming the go-to app for connecting with teenagers. Recently, TikTok rolled out some new restrictions on DMs for teens to make sure the app is safe and available for every age. The platform also gives teenagers a place to learn more about anxiety, sexuality, depression, and relationship abuse.

We at The L.A. Trust welcome the opportunity to incorporate a new creative channel to further reach our youth and help them communicate with each other on such an important topic as mental health. Stay tuned for more details on the upcoming TikTok campaigns.

The L.A. Trust hosts first Youth Mental Health Collaborative

The L.A. Trust, L.A. Unified, healthcare providers and student representatives are uniting to address youth mental health concerns.

Representatives from L.A. Unified School Mental Health, Student Health and Human Services, Wellness Center operators and other concerned organizations met at the first-ever Youth Mental Health Collaborative hosted March 25 by The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health.  

Marsha Ellis, director of programs for The L.A. Trust, said, “The Youth Mental Health Collaborative has two objectives — to improve student mental health access and services, and incorporate youth voice into improving the system.” The collaborative is funded by the Ballmer Group and is part of The L.A. Trust Student Mental Health Initiative, launched last fall.  

Maryjane Puffer, executive director of The L.A. Trust, framed the work, outlining how training, engagement and referral systems will work together in a single strategy encompassing awareness, prevention and intervention, and healthcare access.  

Puffer said members of The L.A. Trust Student Advisory Boards and after-school providers have already begun training in Youth Mental Health First Aid. Members of The L.A. Trust staff completed the training last year. Members of the Woodcraft Rangers attended the training March. Students will also participate in Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR), a suicide prevention program, and will continue to conduct student awareness campaigns on social media and on–campus, when classroom teaching resumes.  

Survey finds challenges 

Ellis presented survey results about the challenges encountered with remote counseling. The top issue reported was technology, followed by difficulty obtaining consent forms, distractions, lack of privacy, inadequate follow–through and complicated telehealth platforms. 

Kim Griffin Esperon, a clinical social worker and administrative coordinator of LAUSD School Mental Health, provided an update on school mental health referrals, which have declined during the pandemic.  

Esperon said providers can receive referral requests through several channels. LAUSD has an online “Mail Me” portal that can be used to send and receive parental consent forms. Another consent option is Zoom remote control and signature forms. Parents can also drop off and pick up paper consent forms at schools. 

Jaime Ducreux, LAUSD organization facilitator, gave an update on the status of agreements between LAUSD and school-based mental health providers (MOUs). He said it has not been determined when outside providers will be allowed back on campus. 

Tanya Mercado, a LAUSD social worker and attendance counselor, and  Francisco Dussan of School Mental Health, Innovative Funding for Mental Health, spoke about funding models needed to expand and improve school-based mental health services. Research is still being conducted to investigate funding streams, develop deeper partnerships and recommend policy, practices and legislative changes needed to increase funding and support, they reported. 

The one-hour collaborative concluded with a discussion on future bimonthly Youth Mental Health Collaboratives and establishing subcommittees to act as working groups. 

Mental health is a key concern as students return to class

As students return to campus after a year of lockdown, youth mental health will be a paramount concern. 

As Los Angeles Unified and other local school districts reopen, the question becomes, “What comes after COVID?”  

 “We can’t carry on as if the past year hasn’t happened,” says Maryjane Puffer, executive director of The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health. A year of isolation, economic and food insecurity, distance learning and delayed healthcare have created a crisis for hundreds of thousands of Los Angeles County public school students — one that will not disappear when in-person learning starts  later next month.  

Existing healthcare systems, like the 16 LAUSD Student and Family Wellness Centers offering mental health services to schools and communities hardest hit by COVID, will play an important role in the post-COVID recovery process. So will programs like The L.A. Trust’s Student Mental Health Initiative ramping up this year.  

 Wellness Centers key  

“School wellness centers could be an answer to soaring mental health needs in California,” according to a report — “Every Young Heart and Mind: Schools as Centers of Wellness” — released last December by the California Mental Health Service Oversight & Accountability Commission. According to the report, 1 in 6 high school students in California has considered suicide in the past year, and 1 in 3 report feeling chronically sad. LGBTQ students and low-income Black and Latinx students experienced higher rates in both categories and were less likely to receive services intended to help them, the report said.   

 The American Psychological Association recommends teachers use existing processes and referral protocols to identify students who need extra support — especially those suffering anxiety and depression, which can be hard to identify under the best of circumstances.  

Youth Mental Health First Aid  

Teachers, counselors and healthcare professionals are not the only ones who can help. The L.A. Trust staff was trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) last fall and is sharing its knowledge with after-school providers and others.   

The first YMHFA class of 20 after–school providers was held online March 12. “The participants were eager for the information and the feedback was very enthusiastic,” said Eddie Hu, program manager at The L.A. Trust. “Mental health is an urgent issue and this training curriculum is timely and compelling.”   

The Youth Mental First Aid training will be expanded later to include members of The L.A. Trust’s Student Advisory Boards and other students on L.A. Unified campuses.  

“People who work with students — and students themselves — need to be aware of the danger signs of suicide and self-harm,” said Hu. “The crisis is real  —  without training we can miss the red flags.”  

YMFA training is part of The L.A. Trust’s Student Mental Health Initiative, a multi-pronged effort funded by Health Net, Cedars-Sinai, Dignity Health and Ballmer Group. It includes a Youth Mental Health Collaborative launching this month, made up of LAUSD leaders, Wellness Center staff, and community mental health organizations to identify and resolve obstacles to care. Student input will be a key component informing the group’s work. The group will also advocate for needed policy change at the district and county level.   

 The state of student mental health in Los Angeles Unified School District was acute even before the pandemic. In a screening of 572 LAUSD students, 88% reported experiencing three or more traumatic events in their lifetime, 55% of whom showed symptoms of PTSD, depression or anxiety. LAUSD recorded 7,661 suicidal ideation incident reports in the 2018-2019 school year.   

Time will tell how much damage has been wrought by a year of lost education, healthcare and outside contact and support. The pandemic of trauma caused by COVID-19 will be felt for years according to the National Education Association, which states “the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on communities of color has magnified the trauma of Black and Latinx students.”  

 “Teaching and learning can’t just pick up where educators and students left off,” the NEA observes. Trauma-informed policies and care are critical. ”Moving forward with grief or loss is better than just moving on.”  

Foundations sustain The L.A. Trust through COVID-19

Ballmer Group is among the foundations that have stepped up to support the work of The L.A. Trust during the coronavirus pandemic. 

In the midst of the suffering and uncertainty of our multiple pandemics, the outpouring of community support from the philanthropic world has been heartening and reassuring. We continue to receive grants that make the difference for students between empty days and much-needed healing and enrichment. The following funders have committed grants this past quarter to benefit those we serve:   

Ballmer Group notified us of their intention to invest on a large scale in student mental health through a two-year, $300,000 grant that will support our Student Mental Health Initiative, including Youth Mental Health Collaboratives. The purpose of The L.A. Trust project is to increase mental health education and prevention among Los Angeles Unified students within the Wellness Network by launching a collaborative made up of LAUSD leaders, Wellness Center staff, and community mental health organizations to identify and resolve obstacles to care. Student input will be a key component informing the group’s work. The group will also advocate for needed policy change at the district and county level. Much like our Wellness Network Learning Collaborative, our Oral Health Advisory Board and Data xChange Expert Advisory Council, this collaborative aims to improve students’ well-being through increased cooperation among stakeholders.  

Ballmer Group supports efforts to improve economic mobility for children and families in the United States who are disproportionately likely to remain in poverty. This generous grant reflects their belief that building pathways to opportunity requires broad, systemic change.  

Dignity Health is also making a significant investment in mental health, through a three-year effort funded in part by UniHealth Foundation to increase the awareness, skills and capacity of local community organizations and individuals to identify mental distress, address the impacts of trauma, reduce stigma and increase resiliency via delivery of mental health awareness education. The project focuses on children and youth of color and the adults who care for them in areas where high health disparities persist. Through a grant of $65,000, The L.A. Trust is joining in the second year of the project and will train after-school and academic support programs in Youth Mental Health First Aid and students in peer-to-peer outreach. We’re honored to work with the many organizations pioneering this effort.   

FCancer awarded The L.A. Trust $12,000 to expand HPV education and increase HPV vaccinations during the fall semester at the schools we serve. This is an extension of FCancer’s Take a Shot campaign. FCancer is dedicated to prevention, early detection, and providing emotional support to those affected by cancer. We have been working with FCancer since 2016 and are proud to continue this key cancer prevention initiative in spite of the limitations imposed by COVID-19 precautions.  

QueensCare is partnering with us for the first time through a $50,000 grant to support oral health education for children and their caregivers associated with nine local elementary schools. The L.A. Trust will share information via educational branded videos and live video chats with our community members. A nonprofit organization with compassion at its core, QueensCare offers direct patient care through a mobile dental program at many LAUSD schools and in the community. Understanding that tooth decay is the most pervasive, yet preventable, chronic disease among children in the United States, we are very grateful to continue our long-standing commitment to oral health for children through this grant. The support from QueensCare comes at a critical point in the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing The L.A. Trust to deliver much-needed educational outreach when many cannot access adequate dental care.  

Satterberg Foundation has been a key supporter over the last three years through its seminal Core Support Grants. The Foundation recently let us know that they intend to provide another five years of general operating support in the form of $125,000 a year. The mission of the Seattle-based foundation is to promote a just society and a sustainable environment. The founders, board members, and staff of the Satterberg Foundation have a highly progressive, inclusive approach to grant-making. Their goal is to help organizations achieve their goals, to adapt to change, to innovate and to improve their ability to serve the community. They have been foundational in The L.A. Trust’s growth over the past three years, and we’re deeply honored to be continuing this relationship.  

Our current times illuminate with great clarity the ways in which all of us are interconnected. The interdependence of student services, social progress, and philanthropy can be seen in these generous grants from committed, forward-thinking institutions. We remain grateful for and inspired by these sustaining relationships.

Student mental health challenged by COVID, recession and racism

Idle busses and empty classrooms are reminders of the scale of the education and healthcare void caused by the continued coronavirus shutdown.

Student mental health in Los Angeles is facing unprecedented challenges, according to Maryjane Puffer, executive director of The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health.

“Our students are under tremendous pressure,” she said. “Many were already dealing with inadequate access to mental healthcare and the impacts of poverty and racism. The isolation and economic hardships brought on by COVID-19 threaten to create a student mental health crisis in Los Angeles.

“Students miss the structure of school, their friends and their support system, including access to counseling and mental health treatment,” said Puffer. “Some students may be in stressful situations at home or even the targets of abuse. We must redouble our efforts to help them.”

New initiative

This fall The L.A. Trust will launch its Student Mental Health Initiative. The collaborative is funded by a $100,000 grant by Cedars-Sinai and a $50,000 grant by Health Net.

The initiative will train students as peer leaders through The L.A. Trust’s Student Advisory Boards, increasing awareness of symptoms like anxiety and depression, and building positive coping mechanisms and self-referrals to care. The initiative will foster student social media campaigns and conduct online trainings such as “First Aid for Mental Health,” scheduled for August.

“Student voices are critical in addressing mental health awareness and to ensure access to services,” said Pia V. Escudero, executive director of  Student Health & Human Services for Los Angeles Unified. “We are grateful for this grant opportunity that will lift stigma and access to services for students and families that need it the most.”

Puffer added that “as a backbone agency for student health in Los Angeles, The L.A. Trust has a unique role and responsibility. We are committed to lead on this issue, helping support students, family members, healthcare providers and LAUSD tackle these issues.”

Racism and mental health

Puffer noted that July is BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month and that racism must be factored into any discussion of student mental health. This is especially relevant in Los Angeles, where four out of every five LAUSD students is Latinx or Black.

A review of literature on the impact of racism on child health found that 11 out of 12 studies showed an association between racism and depression, while three studies showed an association between racism and anxiety. “We can’t ignore the impact of racism on the mental health of our students,” Puffer said. “Our programs, outreach and training must acknowledge the racism that many of our students live with every day.”

Resources available

Puffer saluted LAUSD Student Health and Human Services, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and other public and private organizations for adapting and expanding to serve students and family members during the COVID-19 crisis.

LAUSD Mental Health Hotline (213) 241-3840. Open weekdays 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is staffed by counselors and mental health professionals who can provide support in English and Spanish. Teachers can also call and get advice on how to connect their students to services. Questions can also be emailed to mentalhealth@lausd.net.

Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (800) 854-7771. Open 24/7 for all mental health services.

2-1-1 Hotline. The central source for all health and human services support in Los Angeles County.

National Suicide Prevention Hotline English: (800) 273-8255 Español: (888) 628-9454.

Teen Line Text “TEEN” to 839863 between 6:00pm-9:00pm PT to speak to a teen.

Posted July 15, 2020 at 9:55 a.m.

Watts Healthare COVID RX: Exercise, mindfulness and relaxation

Dr. Oliver Brooks, chief medical officer of Watts Healthcare, recommends a diet of exercise, mindfulness and a bit of fun during the current stay-at-home orders

These are challenging times. We’re wondering when we will go back to school or work, see our friends and be able to get together.

Dr. Oliver Brooks, chief medical officer of Watts Healthcare Corporation, notes that regular physical activity can increase self-esteem and reduce stress, depression and anxiety. People who participate in daily physical activity have an approximate 20 to 30 percent lower risk for depression.

A good fitness goal is low-intensity aerobic exercise for 30-35 minutes, 3 to 5 days per week. If you’re feeling more energetic, you can take this fitness challenge and see how many rounds of these four exercises you can complete in 10 minutes (25 repetitions each): Squats, jumping jacks, high knees and push-ups (if you’re not in shape, take it slow).

Relax…

Brooks recommended controlled breathing exercises, mindfulness, relaxing body exercises and the practice of opposite action to counteract stress.

Watts Healthcare suggested a weekly self-care schedule, including fun activities such as:

• Communicating with friends/family on video

• Taking a walk/run

• Journaling

• Stretching

• Painting and drawing

• Picking up an old hobby or creating a new one

• Organizing your room or house

• Engaging in deep breathing activities

• Eat something healthy and delicious

• Drinking something healthy and delicious

• Making a new recipe

• Trying a new hair style

As Buddha said, “To keep the body in good health is a duty, otherwise, we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.”

The impact of racism on children’s health cannot be ignored

The murder of George Floyd has shined a spotlight on racism, which affects every aspect of American life, including the health of children and adolescents. Photo by Gabe Pierce on Unsplash.

The murder of George Floyd has brought the issue of racism to the forefront once again. But racism does not affect just the justice system — it is the major determinant in the healthcare outcomes of children and adolescents. 

Last August the American Academy of Pediatrics put out its first policy statement on how racism affects the development and health of adolescents and children. “Policy statements like these are welcome — and long overdue,” said Maryjane Puffer, executive director of The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health. 

According to the AAP, racism has a profound impact on the health and status of children, adolescents, emerging adults and their families. The continued negative impact of racism on health and well-being through implicit and explicit biases, institutional structures and interpersonal relationships is clear. 

Racism is a disease 

“Those of us who have been doing this work are not surprised by findings like these,” Puffer said. The AAP states that racism, experienced directly or just witnessed, can lead to high levels of stress, depression and even inflammatory reactions. Race is also a factor in low birth weight, maternal mortality, heart disease and hypertension. 

“If you saw these symptoms in a clinical setting you would diagnose racism as a chronic illness – one that is passed down from generation to generation,” Puffer said. 

In addition to the direct physical effects of racism, there are the health effects of institutional racism and implicit bias built into every aspect of American life, including jobs, housing, policing, incarceration and our education and healthcare systems. All of these factors impact the health outcomes of Black and Brown students and families. Any one of these factors can kill. 

COVID-19 is a textbook case. African Americans have the highest death rate for the disease in Los Angeles County: 13 deaths per 100,000 people versus 9.5 for Latinx, 7.5 for Asians and 5.5 for whites. The factors are myriad (poor healthcare, housing and greater co-factors like diabetes, asthma and heart disease), but underlying all these is racism. 

Two–front battle 

“We need to advance on two fronts,” Puffer said. “We must address structural racism by investing in healthcare and preventative programs in our underserved communities.” Our communities — and the kids who live in them — are not getting the primary, oral and mental healthcare services they need and deserve.  

Funding is needed, funding that is threatened by the budget cuts being actively considered in Sacramento and Washington. Community clinics, oral health providers and hospitals have been hit hard by COVID-19. “We must fight for government funding and reject false economies during this economic crisis,” Puffer said. 

“We also need to look at racism and bias within our healthcare system itself,” she said. As many institutions have acknowledged, there is a long legacy of inequal treatment of Black, Brown and Indigenous peoples in the healthcare system. People of color, especially African Americans, are less likely to be heard, diagnosed and successfully treated than whites. “We need more Black and Brown healthcare providers. We must eliminate unconscious bias and serve patients in a cultural context. We’re making progress, but not enough. 

“The healthcare providers I see working in our underserved communities are doing heroic work,” Puffer said. “They know their patients and they know their communities. But there are not enough of them and they do not have the resources they need,” Puffer said. “We must expand, not cut, healthcare in our communities. 

“We must seize this moment and redirect our priorities to invest in the healthcare of our students and communities,” she added. “We can’t end racism overnight, but we can start dismantling healthcare disparities piece by piece, patient by patient. We must ensure the current revolution leads us to a long-term evolution of our healthcare system.”

Students find a healthcare home at LAUSD Wellness Centers

LAUSD’s network of Wellness Centers, like this one operated by South Central Family Health Center, are on the front lines of student and community health.

When a Delta 777 passenger plane dumped a load of aviation fuel over the Cudahy area last month, students at six LAUSD schools were affected—and the Wellness Center at Elizabeth Learning Center sprung into action.

The clinic, operated by South Central Family Health Center, offered free screenings to everyone in the community, regardless of insurance, immigration status or ability to pay. The clinic is part of Los Angeles Unified School District’s network of Student and Family Wellness Centers, which provide a healthcare home for students and community members in the district’s most underserved neighborhoods. Tens of thousands of students and community members rely on the clinics each year.

“When there’s an environmental emergency, a flu outbreak or a spike in STDs, the Wellness Centers often see it first,” said Maryjane Puffer, executive director of The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health. “They are on the front lines of student and community health, and the services they provide are indispensable. Nothing is more important to The L.A. Trust than supporting these clinics.”

Partners in health

The L.A. Trust provided direct financial support to the six original LAUSD school-based health clinics between 1994 and 2002. Since then it has worked closely with LAUSD Health and Human Services to support the development of 15 (soon to be 19) new school-based Wellness Centers, focusing on strategies to make them self-sufficient and sustainable. 

“Our Wellness Center support mission today includes a broad range of prevention programs, best practices and research,” Puffer said. She cited The L.A. Trust’s groundbreaking Data xChange initiative, student engagement efforts and Wellness Network Learning Collaborative workshops as examples of how The L.A. Trust supports the clinics.

The Wellness Center Network is overseen by LAUSD Health and Human Services, headed by Executive Director Pia V. Escudero. Professional services are provided by these Federally qualified health centers: Asian Pacific Healthcare Venture at Belmont; Eisner Health at Santee Education Complex; Kaiser Permanente, LAUSD Student Medical Services and Planned Parenthood Los Angeles at Hollywood High; Mission City Community Network at Maywood Center for Enriched Studies; Northeast Community Clinics at Gage Middle School; St. John’s Well Child and Family Center at Manual Arts High and Washington Prep; South Central Family Health Center at Elizabeth Learning Center and Jefferson High; South Bay Family Health Center at Carson High; T.H.E. (To Help Everyone) Health and Wellness Centers at Crenshaw High; UMMA Community Clinic at Fremont High; Valley Community Healthcare at North Hills-Monroe High; Via Care at Garfield High; and Watts Health at Jordan High and Locke Early Education Center. 

Primary care plus

In addition to primary and dental care, most LAUSD Wellness Centers provide mental health services to students and community members. LAUSD School Mental Health provides intervention, care and referral at the Belmont, Carson, Crenshaw, Elizabeth, Gage, Locke, Maywood and Washington Prep Wellness Centers.

Other mental health services providers include Aviva Family and Children’s Services at Hollywood High; Child and Family Guidance Center at North Hills-Monroe; Children’s Institute at Jordan; Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic at Manual Arts; and Weber Community Center at Fremont.

“Our kids hold all the promise in the world,” Puffer said. “Helping support them with access to care—whether it’s asthma, anxiety, depression or substance use—is part of the holistic wellness mission of The L.A. Trust. ”