SAC Corner

Issue No. 4

Go Be Bad At Something

“It’s a little insulting to people who have spent years and years of their lives acquiring skills to think that you should have those overnight,” says Ms. Schulz, of Los Alamos, N.M.

The linked article (click the title) also appeared in the Wall Street Journal. Detailing how it can actually be beneficial to allow yourself to regularly engage in something you aren't good at. From 1989-2016 the average levels of social perfectionism in college students has increased by a third. Imagine that level of anxiety, fear, or stress?

Megan Thee Stallion

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.

NICOTINE POUCHES - NOT ALLOWED AT SCHOOL

(click the title for a Nebraska Medicine article)

What's the latest?

Not terribly new, but making their rounds are nicotine pouches. These, which don't look terribly dissimilar to cocaine or heroin baggies, are an oral ingestion of nicotine. The pouch goes between the gums and lip similar to chewing tobacco or "dip"/"chew". These are not made from tobacco but do have nicotine. They are also usually "pre-moistened" meaning they do not require much salvia to begin dispersing into the system - making them a spit-free option. They are marketed as a cessation device, but not FDA approved for such. They are still addictive and can be assumed to have the same dangers as other intakes of nicotine.

Where does HSD come into play?

Some of our students are partaking in this. It is more discrete than vaping, has fun flavors, and came be done somewhat unnoticeably. I've been asked by students if they can get in trouble for it (the big answer - YES). Some students believe because it is smokeless, not a vape, and no tobacco it is ok. FALSE. Not ok. Nicotine is still illegal for students.

What are we looking for?

Some of the most popular brands are Zyn, NIIN, On, Velo, Dryft, Lucy, FRE, LYFT. Hearing those words or those words used as a verb (___ing) is something to take note of. Tins & used baggies are also something to look for. If students appear to have a wad of gum in their mouth that isn't moving/chewed - that could be a sign.

******Extra Warning

There are hemp ones, so you can bet THC ones are just as available.

Interesting

A brand called GRINDS is tobacco free, nicotine free, coffee pouches that are used the same way. Instead they release loads of caffeine. These are marketed as a cessation device as well. These are not drug/substance and as far as we know perfectly fine. If you see the Grinds tin, however, I'd advise asking to see inside. If the pouch doesn't look like coffee grounds and/or is white - it may be a fake out tin to hide nicotine pouches.

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Also This

(click the title for an article link)

The National Institutes of Health released a study finding women who used hair straightening products (think chemical) four (4) times a year or more have more than doubled their risk of developing uterine cancer. The study tracked 33,000+ women ages 35-74 for 11 years and during that time 378 uterine cancer cases were diagnosed. According to this study:

https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/uterine-cancer-deaths-are-rising-united-states-are-highest-among-black-women#:~:text=Deaths%20from%20uterine%20cancer%20are,the%20National%20Institutes%20of%20Health

the deaths from uterine cancer are highest among non-Hispanic Black women. The research didn't find a direct link between straightener use and uterine cancer with race, but it is cautioned that the risk may be greater for Black women based on researchers seeing that Black women may use hair straightening or relaxer products more frequently and starting at an earlier age than other races and ethnicities.

Specific brands and ingredients were not specified in the study, but it is noted that chemical exposure in hair products is absorbed at a higher rate through the scalp.

Being Proactive

Sensitive Content?

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.

Vaping Education Online Class - Sign Up!

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).

Teen Mental Health Temperature Check

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