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Because there is no health without Mental Health! |
Prevent the Summer Academic Backslide
It's a fact. Kids lose academic ground during the summer months. Come September, even the best students are several weeks behind where they were in June. Struggling students can lose up to two months. This is especially true in math and science, but even reading takes a hit in the lower grades.
Teachers regularly report that every fall they have to re-teach, not just review, most of what kids were supposed to cover in the spring. The result is serious. All that time spent going over old stuff means the kids aren't getting new and more advanced information. Often kids get discouraged and lose confidence. They know they should know the material. They sense their new teacher's frustration or disappointment and may internalize it as meaning they are failures. Not good. It's not our kids' failure. It's ours. Click here to learn more.
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KIDS ROCK THE BLOCK!
Anna Perry was born in South Korea, but was adopted as an infant by the Perry family.
By the age of three, her parents noticed that Anna always seemed to have more energy than the other kids, and realized there was more to Anna's behavior than just a lot of extra energy. The Perrys took Anna to a pediatrician, and by Elementary school, Anna had taken several tests and evaluations that determined that she had Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Anna's pediatrician decided to put her on medication, and at school her teachers helped Anna learn strategies, or ways of doing things, that helped her stay on task.
Anna is now 11 years old and is in the 5th grade. Anna is featured in the scripts "Shhh!!" and "Career Day". In both of these programs, she shares ways in which she copes with ADHD.
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DID YOU KNOW?
Facts About ADHD
ADHD is one of the most common neurobehavioral disorders of childhood. It is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood. Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors (may act without thinking about what the result will be), or be overly active. Click here to learn more
ADHD Can Persist Into Adulthood With Serious Consequences
The first large population health study to follow children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD) into adulthood suggests adult ADHD is a serious condition that is often associated with other mental disorders. Researchers discovered that adult ADHD often doesn't "go away." Click here to learn more
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LORIE'S UPDATE
When talking with audiences about mental health disorders, it is always important to focus not only on the symptoms of a particular disorder, but also the degree to which the signs and symptoms affect one's life. For instance, in the script "The Counseling Game", KOTB puppets don't describe the symptoms of depression in general terms such as "feeling sad'' or "having the blues"; instead, the puppet characters carefully emphasize details that might indicate the presence of depression or another mental illness. For instance, the puppets tell audiences that a kid might feel very sad for two weeks or more, or that these feelings of sadness might be accompanied by rage, or feelings of anger. When speaking of mental health or mental health illnesses, the Kids on the Block also specify the physical symptoms that accompany the emotional ones. Physical symptoms in extremes can be warning signs of depression or anxiety. For instance, sleeping too much or not sleeping at all can be indicators of depression. Also, loss of appetite or a tendency to eat too much can be symptoms of a mental illness. The Kids on the Block always conclude discussions by naming trusted adults at home, in schools, places of worship, and in the community where children can seek help if they feel any of the signs of depression, or feelings of anger, loneliness, or fear.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD):
At a recent performance of "Shhhh!!!" and "Career Day", both scripts concerning ADHD, an audience member asked a common question: "How do you know if you have ADHD?". The KOTB Program addresses this question by listing the symptoms of this condition, and emphasizing that not every case of ADHD is exactly the same. Another important detail in these scripts is the mention of the use of strategies as a way to cope, or more effectively manage, ADHD. For instance, puppet Anna Perry mentions that she sits in the front of the classroom so that she can pay better attention to what her teacher is saying. In "Career Day", Nurse Abby Lynch, who also has ADHD, tells Anna that she tries to make and keep eye contact when listening and speaking with someone. This is a beneficial tip for any audience member, since this is a skill used when verbally communicating feelings or thoughts with others.
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We at MHA of Georgia are always so pleased and excited to hear positive feedback about our Kids!
"The performance was nice and I liked it. There were some good facts to know and learn about, and some of it was funny!"
--3rdGrader, following a performance of "Career Day", a skit that focuses on ADHD
"Anna sits in the front of her class so she can focus on what the teacher says, and she can pay attention better to her work".
--4th Grader, after watching "Shhh!!!" and "Career Day", skits that focus on ADHD.
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WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!
Kids on the Block is only one of many programs offered by MHA of Georgia to further our mission of enhancing the mental health of all Georgians through education, outreach and advocacy.
Click here to learn more about our programs. Your support will help us continue our work educating Georgians about mental illness, working to eliminate stigma and advocating on behalf of people with mental illness in our state. Click here to support MHA of Georgia.
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