October Health Room

Why is mental health screening important?

*October is a crucial time for awareness since the onset of the holiday season and winter can increase stress and potentially lead to seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

*Early intervention: Just as with any medical condition, early detection of mental health disorders like depression and anxiety leads to better treatment outcomes and a higher quality of life.

*Reducing stigma: Discussing mental health openly and normalizing screenings helps reduce the stigma associated with mental illness, making it easier for people to seek help.

*Accessible care: By making screenings part of routine medical care and offering affordable services, healthcare providers can break down barriers related to cost and access.

October is recognized as National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month. In observance, St. Luke's University Health Network and its affiliate, St. Luke's Penn Foundation, provide year-round psychiatric and behavioral health services, including mental health screenings. Our nurses and guidance counselors here at Neidig can also help with any questions you may have regarding your students mental health. Please reach out if you have any questions or just need some guidance.

An Apple a Day… Back-to-school time always brings images of teachers with apples. Apples are a great snack for the school year as they are a good source of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that protects the cells in your body from free radical damage and potassium which is essential for heart health. They are also high in fiber and contain large amounts of phytochemicals. Adding apples to your child's diet is a great way to boost their nutrition. A medium-sized apple contains about 95 calories, making it a nutrient dense snack and with about 4 grams of fiber it will keep them feeling full longer. Apples are indeed a versatile and nutrient-rich fruit that can be enjoyed in various ways. Here are some healthy snack ideas to incorporate apples into your student’s diet-

• Apple slices with almond or peanut butter

• Add diced apple to their oatmeal or breakfast cereal

• Layer cheese and thinly sliced apples on whole-wheat crackers

• Baked apple with a sprinkle of cinnamon

• Hot Apple Cranberry Crisp

• Apple Cheddar Quesadillas

• Apple Sandwiches: Core and slice apples into rounds, then sandwich peanut butter and granola or raisins between two slices

• Apple Chips: Thinly slice apples, sprinkle with a bit of cinnamon, and bake until crispy for a healthy alternative to potato chips

• Apple and Yogurt Parfait: Layer diced apples with Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of granola for a delicious and protein-packed snack

• Apple and Turkey Wrap: Roll thin apple slices, turkey slices, and a slice of cheese in a whole-wheat tortilla

• Apple Smoothie: Blend an apple with spinach, banana, and honey

At this time, I will be sending out information on the dental van that services Neidig Elementary to students in grades Kindergarten, 1st and 3rd grades. If your student does not have a dental exam on file in the health room and has been to your dentist, please send a copy of their visit in to the health room. I will be sending out an email with the dental van information to students who do not have a current dental exam on file. If you would like your student seen on the dental van, please check the information noted in the upcoming email and send the completed form back to school. Currently, they accept the following insurances-

*Gateway Health Plan

*AmeriHealth Caritas Health Plan

*Medicaid

*CHIP

*Delta Dental

*United Concordia

*MetLife

Uninsured students are also welcome. If time allows, I will open visits to the dental van to the other grades. Please note that a current dental exam is mandated by the State of Pennsylvania for the students noted in the above grades.

Who doesn't remember having fun and hoarding Halloween candy as a kid? I certainly do! Here is a very helpful link for things to help your kids have a spooky, fun and above all, SAFE haunting season.

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/all-around/Pages/Halloween-Safety-Tips.aspx

The pantry is being used as we have been refilling as it is emptied. Thank you to all who have asked about how to contribute or have added things on your own. It's only a small step to helping with food insecurity, but every little bit helps! I am grateful and very proud of our community here at Neidig in helping me realize my little idea of starting one of these! Again, thank you!

Patti Seiger BSN, RN, CSN

pseiger@qcsd.org

215.529.2369

Cindy Nyce RN (Wednesday's)

cnyce@qcsd.org

215.529.2517