Podcast - Page 3 of 4 - Mental Health Goes to School

30 May

E14: Cell Phones in Class – A Double-Edged Sword

Technology

Skip to transcript of Episode 14 Show Notes Cell phone use by students in the classroom is a contentious issue. Join Jo-Ann Berry, a seasoned special educator, and Dr. Candida Fink, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, as they delve into this topic. In this episode of Mental Health Goes to School, they tackle the complexities surrounding students’ use of mobile devices during school hours and its impact on learning and mental health. From the potential benefits of digital accessibility for […]

04 Apr

E13: Dr. Shivana Naidoo – Talking it Through

Health and Safety, Mental Health Crisis Planning

Skip to transcript of Episode 13 Show Notes Note: This episode discusses mental health crises and mentions suicide. If you or a loved one are experiencing thoughts of suicide, know that you are not alone and help is available. You can call or text “988” – the National Crisis/Suicide Hotline. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Dr. Shivana Naidoo is a child and adolescent psychiatrist with a broad range of experience working in various settings including inpatient, outpatient, […]

29 Feb

E12: Lori Krinsky: NAMI – You Are Not Alone

Advocacy, Student Support

Skip to transcript of Episode 12 Show Notes Lori Krinksy joins Candida and Jo-Ann to discuss her involvement with NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). Lori is her local chapter’s president (volunteer) and walks us through NAMI’s national, state, and local programs and resources. NAMI is volunteer-driven, with some paid staff at the national and state levels. The 600 local chapters, while connected to the national organization, are run by volunteers and thus vary in program offerings and availability of resources. […]

01 Feb

Episode 11: Dr. Jacqui Springer, Transition to College

College Transition, Student Support

Skip to transcript of Episode 11 Show Notes In Part 2 of the conversation with Dr. Jacqui Springer, Assistant Dean for Student Support and Advocacy Services at the University of Rhode Island, we focus on the transition to college and learning what supports are available and what students and families should consider when applying to college. The most important thing is for students to have honest conversations with providers, teachers, and caregivers. The biggest error is wishful, magical thinking that […]

11 Jan

Episode 10: Dr. Jacqui Springer: Returning to School from Hospitalization

Mental Health Crisis Planning, Student Support

Skip to the transcript of Episode 10 Show Notes Candida and Jo-Ann talk with Dr. Jacqui Springer, Assistant Dean for Student Support and Advocacy Services at the University of Rhode Island. Our discussion focuses on the transition back to school from hospitalization or partial hospitalization for mental health treatment and the need for student support systems. In most cases, the need for a higher level of care for a student does not come as a surprise – there is usually […]

28 Dec

Episode 9 – Increased absenteeism isn’t just a bad habit. Curiosity and communication can help.

Anxiety Disorders, CBT - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Jo-Ann and Candida Chat

Skip to the transcript of Episode 9 Show Notes In this episode Jo-Ann and Candida spin off from our last interview about school avoidance, digging a little deeper into the high rates of chronic absenteeism being seen across the country since COVID-19. Public discussions have tended to focus on this problem as one of kids and families falling into bad habits since the pandemic. In our experience and reading we have found that there are numerous reasons for students to be […]

18 Nov

Episode 8 – School Avoidance: It’s real and it’s not a crime with Jayne Demsky

CBT - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Student Anxiety

Skip to the transcript of Episode 8 Show Notes School refusal or school avoidance is a real problem that is not the same as a student not liking school. Some students miss school for weeks, months, or even entire academic years. The reasons students avoid or refuse to attend school are rooted in anxiety and are not just a desire to do something else. It’s not playing hooky. Jayne Demsky started her journey with school refusal when it became a problem […]

09 Oct

Episode 7 Jo and Dida Talk ADHD Meds and Student Success

ADHD, Jo-Ann and Candida Chat, Psychiatric Medication

Medical treatment of ADHD is often a key support for student success. Jo-Ann and Candida talk about ADHD: what it is and how medications can be part of a multi-pronged approach to treating ADHD. The discussion includes reviewing some of the most common medications prescribed and potential benefits for some children with ADHD. The hosts remind listeners that anything spoken about in this episode is for educational purposes only – it is not medical advice. ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) is related to how […]

21 Sep

Episode 6 School nurses working on the frontlines of school health and safety with Robin Cogan

Health and Safety, Physical and Mental Health

School nurses and school health and safety are intertwined and yet often misunderstood. The role that nurses play in the school environment varies across states and districts – although far too many schools and districts have no or too few school nurses. Feeling safe is fundamental for students to be able to learn and for teachers and others to help students learn. Unfortunately, school nurses are often not included in conversations about school safety despite their being on the front […]

31 Aug

Episode 5 Back to School -Small steps, compassion for bad days, and asking for help

Jo-Ann and Candida Chat, Sleep

Jo-Ann and Candida talk with each other about this exciting and challenging time of year Back to school articles and tips are everywhere this time of year – with great ideas for helping your child or teen navigate the start of the school year to set them up for success. But when mental health needs are in the mix, some of these tips may sound impossible to approach, let alone put into practice. Organizational tips that make sense for many […]