Tag Archive for: Social Worker Articles

Youth First Highlights Jessie Laughlin – Social Work Week 2022

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Jessie Laughlin, LSW – Youth First Social Worker at Edgewood Junior High School in Monroe County

Q: What called you to become a social worker?

A: I started college as an education major. During early field experience, I crossed paths with a school social worker. In learning more about their role, I knew that could be a great fit for me as I’ve always been an advocate for both mental health and education. Being a social worker allows me to work in so many different capacities; counselor, advocate, educator, community resource.

Q: What is the most rewarding part of your job?

A: It is an honor when a student lets you into their world. It’s really special to see a moment when a student overcomes an obstacle, finding and using their natural strengths and putting into play the skills they’ve been working hard on. I love that I get to be part of nurturing a student’s mental health so they can best learn and grow. 

Q: What does mental health mean to you?

A: Every being has mental health, and it’s complex and changes day to day. The stigma around mental health is really unfortunate, and I hope that one day everyone will treat mental health like physical health; just another part of our holistic self-care. 

Q: How has social work influenced the way you view younger generations?

A: I have seen the power and change that comes with youth having at least one positive adult in their life, who cares for them and is looking out for them. That one person can make such a difference in their outcomes. 

Younger generations are eager to learn about the world, movements, injustice, and change. I’m really hopeful their awareness, engagement, and discussion surrounding mental health is moving our outlook and treatment of mental health in the right direction. Youth mental health seems to follow trends and is ever changing, depending on what is going on in the world and our culture. 

Q: Which mental health tools/strategies do you think are the most impactful or effective for students?

A: I am a big fan of mindfulness strategies. It’s helpful and effective for most people in many different situations; self-care, attention/focus concerns, stress and anxiety, self-esteem, anger, etc. 

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Assisting Your Teen with the Dreaded “Senioritis”

By Angel Wagner, LSW – March 2, 2022 –

The first semester of your child’s senior year of high school is complete. You log on to the school’s grading system expecting to see the normal A and B grades your child always receives.

However, this time the grades are different. You see Cs, Ds, or maybe even failing grades. Senioritis can appear in many forms, such as declining grades, missing assignments, or loss of interest in participating in classes.

When these signs of senioritis show up, your immediate reaction might be anger towards your child. As a parent, it can be difficult to understand how a good student can suddenly start failing tests and assignments. Your instinct might be to punish your child by grounding them from their games, phone, or even their car until their grades improve.

Before you react, take a moment to listen to your child. They may have fears or a lack of motivation that you don’t know about. Many high school seniors become unmotivated as the amount of schoolwork becomes overwhelming. They may have fears of graduating and moving to the next step. Having someone there to listen to these fears can help them figure out what they need to do to get through this difficult transition.

No one should stop a marathon on the last lap. Though there may be just a little left to go in the school year, that last semester may feel impossible to some students, just like the last lap of a marathon when a runner has already gone twenty-something miles by the end of the race. Stopping before the end may sound so much better than finishing at some point. Provide that motivation for your child to keep going.

You can help your child see the finish line more clearly by working with them to create a schedule. Between the usual homework, looming finals, college and scholarship applications, and extracurricular activities, your high school senior has a lot on their plate! They may want to just forget all their stress and concentrate on fun times with the friends they may never see again.

Some students have stated to school staff that they need structure in their day, otherwise they’d just prioritize fun things all the time. Sitting down with your child to create a schedule of fun and work will show them they can find enough time in the week for both.

The last year of high school may perhaps be the hardest year of all for some students. Remember that your child is not lazy. They are going through a normal phase of adolescence that many of us may forget about as we deal with the difficulties in our adult lives. Listening to their problems, giving motivation, and helping them stick to a schedule are simple ways that you can help your child finish strong.

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Promoting a Healthy Body Image in Youth

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By Jessie Laughlin, LSW – February 23, 2022 –

Body image and self-awareness begin at a young age, even before kindergarten. As children transition into teenagers, they become more aware of themselves and who they are becoming, which includes their body that is drastically changing due to normal development.

Body image can be influenced by family and peer relationships, cultural norms, societal pressures, and media. Youth with a positive body image are more successful, happier, and more comfortable with themselves. Those with negative body image are at risk for developing low self-esteem and mental health concerns including depression, anxiety, substance use, and eating disorders.

As caregivers, we have the opportunity and responsibility to help young people shape a healthy self-image. Here are some ways to do just that.

  1. Be a safe space. Create an environment that feels comfortable and allows freedom to express concerns and feelings. Listen, be honest, use empathy, and refrain from judgement.
  1. Lift them up. Compliment your child’s achievements, hard work, and resiliency. Praise their unique qualities and positive personality traits. Focus on attributes not related to their size, shape or weight, such as their eyes, their smile, or their hair.
  1. Limit media exposure. Comparison is an easy trap to fall into and can cause feelings of insufficiency and envy. Seeking “likes” becomes a reward system that can turn into an obsession and a measurement of someone’s value. Limit screen time, monitor social media, and talk about the unrealistic features of filters, photoshop, and aesthetic curation. Encourage them to follow people and causes that make them feel good about themselves. Keep in mind that even media that encourages health and athleticism can have negative messages.
  1. Focus on health. Health has different shapes and sizes. Prioritize a healthy sleep schedule, nutrition, and hydration. Explore and offer a variety of foods and cook together, encourage a balanced diet, and talk about nutrition in terms of how food fuels our body, not with labels of “good” and “bad” foods. Encourage healthy movement that makes them feel good and improves strength, rather than achieving a figure.
  1. Embrace diversity. Have conversations about diversity in bodies. Educate your child about normal changes that occur throughout life, especially during puberty. Have routine conversations about prejudice and stereotypes towards bodies and beauty norms. Never shame or compare other body types, including your own.
  1. Be a role model. Young people watch and mirror adults, including behaviors and choices surrounding health. Model and support a healthy lifestyle and be positive towards yourself and others so those around you adopt a similar focus. Check in on your own self-image. Avoid using nicknames and insults that are shameful. Use caution with diet culture and workout obsessions that are often masked as a “lifestyle.” This verbiage can be very harmful and influence a youth’s future relationship with food and movement. 

If you feel your child is struggling with an unhealthy body image, consult with your family doctor, nutritionist, and mental health provider for professional guidance and a plan best suited for their personal needs. 

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Helping Student Athletes Manage Emotions

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By Nolan Miller, LSW – February 9, 2022 –

Many parents have been there. Your student athlete attended every practice and worked hard to improve their skills. Then when game time rolled around, they struggled to find success on the court or field. As a parent, this can be difficult to watch.

For students, defeat can cause strong emotions. Feelings of sadness or embarrassment can occur if they did not play well. Sometimes students feel angry and place blame on their teammates or the officials. From my experience in coaching, here are four ways to help your child cope with the challenge of managing emotions in sports.

  1. Focus on what they did well. Many times children and even adolescents struggle to understand that victory isn’t everything. In basketball, for example, helping their teammates do well, playing good defense, and being a positive team player is just as important as scoring points. Everyone on the team has their role, and if scoring is not their role it can be difficult for many students to enjoy the sport. Helping students focus on how they positively impacted the game can motivate them to keep doing their part to be a good teammate.
  1. Zap negative thought patterns. When it comes to sports, or even schoolwork, we might hear a student talk about how well they did when they succeeded. The same can also be said when they do poorly. When a student doesn’t do well on a test or doesn’t make a play correctly, they might say something like, “I’m not good at this,” or “Why am I so bad?” These thought patterns are going to set them up to fail the next time they try. Our children need our help to know that just because they fail once does not mean they will fail all the time.
  1. Support them even when they lose. When we’re headed home after a bad day, the last thing we want to hear is how we could have done something better. After a tough game or practice, children will look to their caregivers for love, not for their coaching advice. There is a time and place for that. Supporting them should always come first.
  1. Teach them that life is a marathon, not a sprint. We have all heard it before. We learn more when we lose than when we win. This is true in more than just sports. When we struggle we should look at it as a way to grow and not as a failure.

Not every child is going to become the next LeBron James or Tom Brady, but they can be the best version of themselves. Growth will come with a positive mindset. Teaching children to take it a day at a time can help them see gradual improvement in their skills and performance. Day one might not look much different than day five, but day one can look much different than day thirty. 

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Love Yourself this Valentine’s Day

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By Ashley Manship, LSW – February 2, 2022-

Maintaining good mental health during the Valentine’s Day season can be a struggle for some teens and adults, especially for those who may not have a significant other to celebrate the holiday with. It is important for older youth to keep in mind that February 14th can be a day dedicated to loving on your friends, family, and most importantly, yourself.

This is the perfect opportunity to give yourself the proper pampering, love and attention you’d otherwise be giving someone else. So if you’re one of the people out there who is single this year, here are a few things you can do to make the best of Valentine’s Day!

1.     Write yourself a love letter. The most important relationship you can have is the one with yourself. Celebrate you and the progress you have made in your life. Take time to think about the future you imagine for yourself. This is the perfect time to fall in love with yourself and all of your accomplishments and future aspirations!

2.     Take a break from social media. Sometimes seeing other people’s #couplegoals posts on Valentine’s Day might make you feel envious or insecure about your relationship status. Take at least a 24-hour break from scrolling social media, or at least be mindful of your scrolling.

3.    Spread the love! Valentine’s Day isn’t exclusive to romantic love. If you’re not getting flowers this year, give them! This may be somewhat more challenging with lingering COVID restrictions, but get creative with safe ways to accomplish gift-giving. Buy some inexpensive flowers at Walmart or another local store and deliver them to a nursing home, friends, church members, etc. I truly find that nothing feeds the soul like making others smile.

4.     Use this time to connect with your single friends. Plan something special for yourself and your single friends. It can be something as simple as hosting a socially-distant or virtual dinner with others so you can enjoy some laughter among friends. This can help mitigate any negative feelings you might have about the occasion.

5.    Finally, do everything you would do if you were in a relationship! Let’s be real, most dates always end in binge watching Netflix anyway (or at least that’s how it is for me and mine). Make dinner for one, carve out time for your favorite hobby, or prioritize pampering yourself. You don’t need a partner to do that!

Valentine’s Day can be a wonderful day to reflect on the love we feel for the ones most important to us. Act on that love, and remember that the most important people in our lives don’t always have to be our romantic partners.  

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Navigating Friendships

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By Megan LaRue, LSW – January 26, 2022 –

As children develop and learn to be more independent, their focus on family starts to fade and peers become the center of their universe. The need to fit in with a circle outside the home is a major stage of development.

However, when children start to form these groups and their various upbringings come into play, there are bound to be some bumps along the way.

From my own experience working with youth, this connection to peers really starts to take hold around 3rd-4th grade, although it can be different for each child. These years are also when conflicts start to arise and friendships can either be solidified or start to fade away.

Here are a few of my favorite strategies for helping kids work through conflict and develop positive communication skills.

The first obstacle kids may face in working through peer conflict is recognizing the bigger picture. As humans in conflict, kids are likely to assign blame outside of themselves. Although there are situations where someone wrongs us, we have to be open to recognizing our own faults as well.

Teaching children how to examine a situation from all perspectives can help them recognize when they may need to take some responsibility. Asking children questions like, “How do you think that feels?” or “How do you think your friend sees this situation?” can help kids practice this important skill.

Often when kids develop conflict with one friend, they may seek alliance with an uninvolved peer to support them or take their side. Like adults, kids just want to feel heard and understood. Although feeling supported and not alone is helpful, it doesn’t solve the original conflict. This can often be an avoidance strategy that provides temporary relief while not addressing the issue at hand.

Teaching students how to effectively confront the issue with the involved person can help to minimize the damage in the long-run. Key strategies for this include good communication and the ability to share feelings in a positive way. Modeling this behavior and the practice of identifying complicated emotions can help kids have the language to share their experiences.

Along with sharing their own feelings, kids have to learn to receive others’ feelings and be open to maintaining clear boundaries. When someone expresses they’ve been hurt or doesn’t like something that’s happened, this isn’t necessarily a personal attack or an attempt to be hurtful. It is an opportunity to improve the relationship and prevent future conflicts.

Kids don’t need to change who they are because someone doesn’t like it, but they do need to learn to be open to change as they recognize how their actions affect those around them. Being a good listener and having the ability to say, “I hear what you’re saying and I will think about this going forward” can be the best way to make sure everyone feels heard.

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Self-Regulation for Parents

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By Shannon Loehrlein, LCSW – January 19, 2022 –

Being a parent is hard. I can say this is 100 percent true from my own personal experience with a seven-year-old and a two-year-old. Parenting is a job that offers no pay, little appreciation, and no time off. It’s a 24/7 job. Who in their right mind would apply to that job, right? 

Parenting in 2022 comes with an extra set of challenges. The seemingly never-ending COVID pandemic has put intense pressure on parents and families. The Kaiser Family Foundation, a non-profit organization that focuses on health issues in the United States, has been studying mental health related changes due to the COVID pandemic. They found that in 2019, the average number of adults reporting anxiety and depression was 11 percent. By January of 2021, that number rose to 41.1 percent. 

Parents play an important role, because children look to their parents for emotional regulation and safety during difficult times. It’s crucial for parents to be able to regulate their own emotions in order to also regulate their children.

Here are some simple tips to help parents regulate themselves.

1.     Take time for yourself. It’s important for parents to have time away from their children. Some people enjoy alone time and others enjoy spending time with other adults. Do what replenishes you and carve out time each day, even if only 10 minutes.

2.     Prioritize transition times. Have you ever noticed that your own kids act out the most during transition times (bedtime, end of playtime, coming home from school etc.)?  It’s because transitioning from one task to the next can overstimulate the brain. Adults have difficulty with this too. A good way to help with this transition is to doing something you enjoy during the transition. For example, I personally like listening to audiobooks or podcasts during my commute from home to school. I’ve noticed my kids need this time to decompress too. Make a family rule that for the first 30 minutes home from work/school, everyone has “calm time” alone.

3.     Try breathing techniques. Breathing exercises and meditation can reset the brain when you’re feeling overwhelmed. The main focus on breathing is to hold your breath between inhale and exhale and try to exhale longer than you inhale. This type of breathing helps with your parasympathetic nervous system. You can find many examples of breathing exercises on YouTube and different mindfulness apps. 

4.     Spend time having fun. Many times as parents we move from one task to the next, never really finding time to enjoy our day. Make sure you and your kids spend time having fun each day. You could read a book, play outside, have family game night, or watch a movie together. Having these types of experiences also promotes healthy bonding with your children. 

5.     Exercise. Exercise is really important in managing stress and decreasing anxiety and depression. According to the Mayo Clinic, exercise can make a statistically significant difference in improving anxiety and depressive symptoms by releasing “feel-good endorphins” in your brain. Any exercise is good exercise, just go at your own pace. 

Remember, this pandemic has been difficult for everyone around the world. It’s okay to have times when you feel overwhelmed. If you don’t feel that self-care is enough for you, it’s okay to seek help from a professional. Now many mental health providers offer virtual sessions, removing barriers to access care. Remember, we are all in this together!

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Ring in the New Year with Self-Care

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By Camryn Cater, MSW – January 14, 2022 –

When traveling by plane, we have all heard flight attendants tell us that in an emergency you should put an oxygen mask on yourself before putting it on your child. This is to ensure the adult’s safety so they can take care of the child accompanying them.

Parents tend to instinctively place their child’s well-being before their own. But what happens when a parent does not take care of themselves first?

Stress is an emotional response to the demands of life such as bills, school, work, taking care of children, and all the additional curve balls that life throws our way. Stress affects everyone differently, and it’s important to remember that not all stress is bad. However, long term stress can negatively affect your health as well as the health of your children.

The number one stress-related mental health diagnosis is anxiety. Parental stress causes increased behavioral issues in children and can lead to poor performance in school. It can also result in children using less expressive language, having poor social skills, experiencing more mental health struggles, and having a harder time coping with change.

During my time as a Youth First Social Worker, I have noticed that the behaviors of parents and guardians struggling with large amounts of stress are often mirrored by their children. For example, when parents are experiencing depression or undergoing tough times, their children may experience lack of motivation in school, poor grades, and often appear more tired. Some parents experiencing anxiety have children with anxious behaviors such as lack of control over emotions, lack of sleep, and frequent stomach aches.

Understanding your stressors and prioritizing self-care can help create a better environment and healthy lifestyle for you and your child. Practicing and teaching your child effective self-care is very important as they grow and mature throughout their life. Children absorb and learn from your habits.

Parents and guardians can help their child overcome stress by modeling positive habits. Examples of self-care include exercising, taking a longer shower, finding a new hobby, prioritizing sleep, replacing negative self-talk with positive self-talk, and reaching out for support if necessary.

Help your child identify their emotions and let them know it’s okay to feel the way they do. This allows them to learn healthy ways to react to those emotions when they arise. Topics children find stressful may seem trivial when compared to our adult stressors, but acknowledging a child’s stress is important for the child to feel heard and understood.

In the happiest of our childhood memories, our parents were happy too! Putting yourself first as a parent is not as selfish as it sounds. Committing to habits of self-care can create a better well-being for yourself and a positive future for your child.

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Coping with a Cancer Diagnosis

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By Katherine Baker, LCSW, LCAC – January 6, 2022 –

During my time as a Youth First Social Worker, I have worked with many students impacted by cancer. This school year has been no exception, as I was diagnosed with breast cancer myself in July 2021. Here are a few ideas you may find helpful when coping with a cancer diagnosis.

When first learning about a cancer diagnosis, you may be scared and confused. After the initial shock has worn off, start reading and asking questions. There are many educational books and articles available to help you understand the type of cancer you or a loved one is facing. There are support groups in the community that can help as well. Check them out!

When going to doctor appointments, take another person with you who can assist with taking notes and asking questions. The person with cancer can be overwhelmed at times, so having someone else there for support is important. Bring a notebook and pen with questions you have thought of.

I began keeping a daily/monthly calendar of all doctor appointments and tests. It has been a good way for me to look back to check dates for billing purposes. I also use the calendar as a journal where I record how I feel on chemo days, as some days are better than others.

Keep in mind that some people may not be sure how to react to someone else’s cancer diagnosis. I told my Youth First supervisors, as well as school administrators and my co-workers, about my diagnosis at the start of the school year. I wanted them to be aware of what I would be going through, especially as I knew I would be losing my hair.

I met with students individually to determine if they would be okay working with me. Some of them had parents or family members with cancer, and I did not want to cause additional trauma or stress. Most were receptive, and some check on me as much as I check on them.

Develop a support system that includes family, friends, church community members, neighbors, peers, and co-workers. You will have your oncologist and other medical support staff guiding you through treatment, but having the support of loved ones is just as important.

I can’t do it all on my own, so I find it comforting to have others support me physically, mentally, and spiritually. While going through chemotherapy, my co-workers made goody bags on a regular basis filled with items such as Chapstick, hand and body lotion, puzzle books, snacks, etc. Cards of encouragement are always welcome; everyone loves getting mail!  

Finally, if you know someone with cancer, ask them how you can help. It could be just listening to them, sharing a meal, helping with transportation to appointments, going on walks together, or even helping with housework. Most importantly, be flexible and patient with someone going through their cancer journey.

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Smoothing Transitions for Your Child

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By Kelly McClarnon, LCSW – December 29, 2021 –

Christmas break is underway! As a Youth First Social Worker, I have met with several students who have difficulty transitioning back to the classroom after weekends and school breaks. My observation is that many of these kids also struggle with feelings of anxiety.

The pandemic has caused many children to complete schoolwork from home due to school closures, quarantines, and parental choice to avoid exposure to the virus. Spending long periods of time at home in a more relaxed environment is much different than a structured school setting with increased rules and expectations. At school, increased peer interaction can amplify these feelings of anxiousness in some children. 

Below is a list of things parents can do when their child is having difficulty transitioning back to school:

  1. Have a consistent routine at home. Children thrive on routine. Making sure they know what’s coming next can help kids feel more secure and make transitions smoother.
  • Make sure your child gets plenty of rest. When children feel tired, transitions can become more difficult. Being rested is essential to optimal school functioning and improved mood and mental health.
  • Talk with them in the car on the way to school or before they leave. Ask them how they are feeling. Try to avoid leading questions like, “Are you anxious about going to school today?” Instead, try saying, “How are you feeling today?” This gives them the opportunity to identify how they are feeling and process those feelings prior to arriving.
  • Try listening to uplifting music, talking, or praying to distract them from negative thoughts. If your child rides the bus, allow them to take a journal with positive messages they can read on the way to school. 
  • Reassure your child that it’s not actually the situation (school) that’s causing them to feel scared, nervous, or anxious – it’s the thoughts they have about it. 
  • Sometimes kids have legitimate reasons to want to avoid going to school such as problems with other peers, mental health concerns, and learning disabilities/academic struggles that make it difficult for them to keep up in school. Addressing these issues can lessen a child’s fears by knowing they have the necessary supports to help them succeed.
  • Do not allow them to stay home from school even if they are having a difficult morning. This will only reinforce that avoiding school is acceptable when feeling upset and will make it even more difficult for them to go the next time school is in session.
  • Praise your child when they transition to school successfully. Encourage them that facing their fears will actually reduce their anxiety in the long run. Teach them that uncomfortable feelings and emotions will pass.

Some difficulty with transitions is completely normal. It’s even hard for adults to go back to work after some time off. However, if you are having continual issues with your student transitioning to school, contact the school social worker. They are there to help identify why your child is struggling and will help you address this difficulty.

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