Wellness Center

May is mental health awareness month! We celebrate this month to destigmatize mental health issues, provide support and generate awareness of what mental health means for all of us.
 
Destigmatizing mental health issues has played a huge role in making mental health care more widely accessible to those who need it. The implementation of Wellness Centers in AUHSD is largely in part to widespread efforts to normalize mental health and provide support at school, where students spend a huge portion of their time.

Mental health comes in all shapes and sizes. Many people assume that mental health struggles are a matter of pathology but, in reality, someone may have mental health challenges without ever receiving a diagnosis. When thinking about mental health in broad terms, a perfect analogy for understanding is a car. Cars need regular maintenance to make sure that things run smoothly for as long as possible and when things come up, a car needs to be checked out to get things back to baseline. Mental health is extremely similar in the sense that if we are not taking care of our mental health, it is more likely that things will come up. If these things are not addressed appropriately, they have the potential to impact our lives in ways that are less than ideal. The Acalanes Wellness Center is here to support your students no matter what their mental health looks like. Mental health is a journey, not a destination. Check in with your student for a better understanding of where they might be on their journey.

May is mental health awareness month! We celebrate this month to destigmatize mental health issues, provide support and generate awareness of what mental health means for all of us.

Destigmatizing mental health issues has played a huge role in making mental health care more widely accessible to those who need it. The implementation of Wellness Centers in AUHSD is largely in part to widespread efforts to normalize mental health and provide support at school, where students spend a huge portion of their time.
Mental health comes in all shapes and sizes. Many people assume that mental health struggles are a matter of pathology but, in reality, someone may have mental health challenges without ever receiving a diagnosis. When thinking about mental health in broad terms, a perfect analogy for understanding is a car. Cars need regular maintenance to make sure that things run smoothly for as long as possible and when things come up, a car needs to be checked out to get things back to baseline. Mental health is extremely similar in the sense that if we are not taking care of our mental health, it is more likely that things will come up. If these things are not addressed appropriately, they have the potential to impact our lives in ways that are less than ideal. The Acalanes Wellness Center is here to support your students no matter what their mental health looks like. Mental health is a journey, not a destination. Check in with your student for a better understanding of where they might be on their journey.

We’re in the home stretch of the school year! As it wraps up, it is just as important now as in the beginning of the year to prioritize mental health. An easy way to boost mental health is to get outside! Encourage your students to spend some time in the sun soaking up some mood boosting vitamin D or moving their bodies in a way that works for them. Being outside, specifically around water and lush greenery, taps into our natural state and promotes quicker stress relief. Take advantage of our break from the rain by spending some time outdoors as a family!

We’re in the home stretch of the school year! As it wraps up, it is just as important now as in the beginning of the year to prioritize mental health. An easy way to boost mental health is to get outside! Encourage your students to spend some time in the sun soaking up some mood boosting vitamin D or moving their bodies in a way that works for them. Being outside, specifically around water and lush greenery, taps into our natural state and promotes quicker stress relief. Take advantage of our break from the rain by spending some time outdoors as a family!
 
The final AUHSD Wellness parent education opportunity is taking place this Tuesday, Apr 18 at 6pm over Zoom. The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office will be presenting crucial information on how to keep your kids safe on social media. While these parent education opportunities are free to attend, we do ask that you register hereprior to the webinar.

AUHSD Wellness Presents an In-Person Parent Education Event: Please join Addiction Specialist Dr. Allyson Mayo, Medical Director of Comprehensive Wellness Dr. Rebecca Parish, and CHS Wellness Coordinator Jenna Wrobel for a presentation detailing what parents and guardians need to know about fentanyl, Narcan, and other important drug updates. This will take place on Tuesday, Mar 13 at 6:30pm in the Campolindo Library.

 
Substance use continues to be an issue that adolescents are navigating within our AHS community. It’s important that our entire community is diligent in educating our students around the effects of various substances. Specifically, it is important that we continue to educate our students around smart and safe decision making and how the decisions we make today have the potential to impact our future. Whether or not you think that your student may be using substances, there is no better time than now to start having these conversations. Creating a dialogue is extremely effective in building trust with your AHS student vs. them feeling like they’re getting a lecture. The goal is to foster a space in which your student might feel more comfortable discussing these sensitive topics.
 
Kiara Thomas- Wellness Intake Specialist

The Wellness Center is starting up a couple of new groups. Check in with your AHS student and submit a referral if they are interested in participating.
 
The Wellness Center is starting up a couple of new groups. Check in with your AHS student and submit a referral if they are interested in participating.
 
Wellness Wednesdays started last week during academy: Is your student feeling stressed, overwhelmed or just wants to improve their understanding of mental health? They can join us during academy on Wednesdays to connect with others in a safe and supportive space. We will discuss various mental health topics in the hope of destigmatizing mental health challenges and improving our coping skills. Space is limited. Sign up for “Wellness Center” academy on Teachmore.
 
Expression Through Dance and Movement started Friday, Feb 24 during lunch. This is a program created to focus on increasing student confidence by using body movement to gain insight into behavior patterns and gaining the ability to express themselves through dance. This allows individuals to create new ways of coping with stressors. This program also provides an opportunity to make friends, try new activities and develop new coping skills. Stop by the Wellness Center for more info or to sign up.
 
Kiara Thomas- Wellness Intake Specialist

The Wellness Center is starting up a couple of new groups. Check in with your AHS student and submit a referral if they are interested in participating.
 
The Wellness Center is starting up a couple of new groups. Check in with your AHS student and submit a referral if they are interested in participating.
 
Wellness Wednesdays started last week during academy: Is your student feeling stressed, overwhelmed or just wants to improve their understanding of mental health? They can join us during academy on Wednesdays to connect with others in a safe and supportive space. We will discuss various mental health topics in the hope of destigmatizing mental health challenges and improving our coping skills. Space is limited. Sign up for “Wellness Center” academy on Teachmore.
 
Expression Through Dance and Movement- starting Friday, Feb 24 during lunch: A program created to focus on increasing student confidence by using body movement to gain insight into behavior patterns and gaining the ability to express themselves through dance. This will allow individuals to create new ways of coping with stressors. This program also provides an opportunity to make friends, try new activities and develop new coping skills. Stop by the Wellness Center for more info or to sign up.
 
Last but not least, the Contra Costa County Office of Education and their Tobacco Use Prevention and Education program needs your help in preventing  tobacco and cannabis usage by students. They are looking to gather parent feedback through this survey. Your feedback is extremely valuable to us so that we can best support our students. Your responses are highly encouraged and greatly appreciated!
 
Kiara Thomas- Wellness Intake Specialist

The Wellness Center is starting up a couple of new groups. Check in with your AHS student and submit a referral if they are interested in participating.
 
Wellness Wednesdays starting Feb 15 during academy: Is your student feeling stressed, overwhelmed or just wants to improve their understanding of mental health? They can join us during academy starting this Wednesday to connect with others in a safe and supportive space. We will discuss various mental health topics in the hope of destigmatizing mental health challenges and improving our coping skills. Space is limited. Sign up for “Wellness Center” academy on Teachmore.
 
Expression Through Dance and Movement- starting Friday, Feb 24 during lunch: A program created to focus on increasing student confidence by using body movement to gain insight into behavior patterns and gaining the ability to express themselves through dance. This will allow individuals to create new ways of coping with stressors. This program also provides an opportunity to make friends, try new activities and develop new coping skills. Stop by the Wellness Center for more info or to sign up.
 
Last but not least, the Contra Costa County Office of Education and their Tobacco Use Prevention and Education program needs your help in preventing  tobacco and cannabis usage by students. They are looking to gather parent feedback through this survey. Your feedback is extremely valuable to us so that we can best support our students. Your responses are highly encouraged and greatly appreciated!
 
Kiara Thomas- Wellness Intake Specialist

Resilience is defined by the Oxford dictionary as the ability to withstand or recover quickly from difficulties. Let’s be honest, this is one of the most valuable skills that one can have in life. While suffering in life is inevitable, resilience allows us to move past it, and even capitalize on it, by fostering personal growth. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you are hoping to develop resilience within your AHS student or yourself:

Self Awareness – being in tune with oneself increases our ability to understand our emotions and act in accordance with what aligns with our values. Ultimately, this reduces inner conflict which reduces suffering.
Mindfulness – taking in the present moment for solely what it is creates a space in which we may feel more in control of ourselves. Instead of passing judgment, take a deep breath and consider what decisions can be made to achieve our desired outcome.
Self Care – if we are not taking care of ourselves (exercising, eating, recreating, etc.) suffering increases. Consider the fact that sleep is now viewed as one of the strongest health indicators.
Community – humans are extremely social creatures. Creating meaningful, healthy connections with others can help lessen the negative effects of suffering. Sharing personal experiences with people you trust can increase resilience.
Purpose – this point goes along with self-awareness. Finding purpose in what we do with our lives has the potential to be grounding  when times get tough.
 
Kiara Thomas-Wellness Intake Specialist

Resilience is defined by the Oxford dictionary as the ability to withstand or recover quickly from difficulties. Let’s be honest, this is one of the most valuable skills that one can have in life. While suffering in life is inevitable, resilience allows us to move past it, and even capitalize on it, by fostering personal growth. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you are hoping to develop resilience within your AHS student or yourself:

Self Awareness – being in tune with oneself increases our ability to understand our emotions and act in accordance with what aligns with our values. Ultimately, this reduces inner conflict which reduces suffering.

Mindfulness – taking in the present moment for solely what it is creates a space in which we may feel more in control of ourselves. Instead of passing judgment, take a deep breath and consider what decisions can be made to achieve our desired outcome.

Self Care – if we are not taking care of ourselves (exercising, eating, recreating, etc.) suffering increases. Consider the fact that sleep is now viewed as one of the strongest health indicators.

Community – humans are extremely social creatures. Creating meaningful, healthy connections with others can help lessen the negative effects of suffering. Sharing personal experiences with people you trust can increase resilience.

Purpose – this point goes along with self-awareness. Finding purpose in what we do with our lives has the potential to be grounding  when times get tough.
 
Kiara Thomas-Wellness Intake Specialist