Mental Health Matters
by Maya Chell
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1 in 3 high school students said they struggled with feelings of sadness and hopelessness in 2019 alone, according to the CDC.
COVID-19 has only exacerbated the everyday pressures that high school students have on a daily basis. Because of the pandemic, online school set students back, dealing with all of their schoolwork without the extracurricular activities, pep rallies, and assemblies that brighten the day. There are many mental health resources available for students at Nottingham High School. |
Mrs. Jo Anne Parker is a Student Assistance Counselor (SAC) located in the guidance office. She is here to help any and every student with familial problems, stress, mental health issues, drugs and alcohol, relationships, eating disorders and bullying. She works with students and their families and provides resources.
She does not judge or freak out on you about any issues you may be having. She is an open ear at all times ready to help in any way. Making someone's day is important. Students are welcome to see Mrs. Parker by emailing or stopping by the guidance office. If a student has a concern about a friend, she is there for them.
Unlike confiding with a teacher or friend, Mrs. Parker is obligated to keep everything you tell her confidential. By confiding in her, you do not have to worry about parents getting involved unless you would like them to.
“Students have a right to have someone to go to.” Parker says.
Parker doesn't just lend an ear, she also gives students advice on how to cope with poor mental health.
She sees Nottingham as a village to help the students with the support of guidance, administration and staff all working together.
Some of the methods she recommended were, yoga, breathing exercises, and centering yourself (bringing yourself back to the present).
Before Mrs. Parker started working at Nottingham, she was working at Lawrence High School. She met the SAC counselor at Lawrence, then deciding that that was her true calling. She wanted to help the students around her. She then went back to school and landed her job at Nottingham.
Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a rise in family tension and mental health issues.
The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) held the “household pulse” survey to see the rise in anxiety and depression since the start of the pandemic. In New Jersey alone, 28.5% of participants reported they felt symptoms of an anxiety disorder. 22.2% said they had symptoms of a depressive disorder.
In a survey of 48 students at Nottingham High School, 48% answered that they felt the pandemic affected their mental health negatively. Forty-six percent of students also felt their anxiety has increased.
On a happier note, a senior at Nottingham High School, Zainab Iqbal, expressed how religion has helped her through the pandemic and any hardships. Zainab is Muslim and never misses prayer. She says that prayer is what keeps her calm.
Another senior at Nottingham, Kelsey Mason, also speaks on her quarantine/mental health experience. ¨I was anxious because I wasn't doing anything to get covid, I was staying home. I still ended up getting it anyways.¨
Nottingham is here to help, with the help of Mrs. Parker and also for students who have lost a friend or family member.
Mrs. Parker and the grief group aren’t the only places to talk about mental health.
Another potential resource for students is ESS (Effective School Solutions), coordinated by Fern Reinbeck and clinician Ms. Nomora Pearyer.
The program is not open to everyone. It is Tier III level of care, meaning they are referred students who need additional mental health support in a school setting.
Students who are in ESS are identified by teachers, counselors, CST, and administration. After students are referred they participate in a three hour assessment to see if they are appropriate for the program.
Group therapy is provided daily where students share about personal experiences, familial issues, their own mental health and are provided mental health psychoeducation. There is also individual therapy once a week and a family component.
Once a month parent/guardian/caregiver (s) can join in a support group that takes place in the evening on zoom. They discuss topics such as healthy communication, how to work with their teen, setting healthy boundaries, and mental health education.
Reinbeck loves her work and helping students help him/her/ themselves at Nottingham.
When asked why she chose this job, Reinbeck said, “They chose me, I like to think of it that way. I accepted this job because I like working with students.”
She is a licensed counselor in NJ and PA. Previously she had taught every grade level in supplementary school, while also having experience as an educational director. She describes this role as a “perfect fit”.
With all of the experience that Reinbeck has, she says, “I could never do this work without working with my colleague, as Ms. Nomora and I are a team.”
If you or someone you know is struggling, don’t be scared to reach out to Mrs. Parker, a guidance counselor or a trusted adult.
A grief group is held by Mrs. Parker and Mrs. Okereke in the main hall conference room. If you have lost a loved one they will reach out to you, or you can reach out to them.
She does not judge or freak out on you about any issues you may be having. She is an open ear at all times ready to help in any way. Making someone's day is important. Students are welcome to see Mrs. Parker by emailing or stopping by the guidance office. If a student has a concern about a friend, she is there for them.
Unlike confiding with a teacher or friend, Mrs. Parker is obligated to keep everything you tell her confidential. By confiding in her, you do not have to worry about parents getting involved unless you would like them to.
“Students have a right to have someone to go to.” Parker says.
Parker doesn't just lend an ear, she also gives students advice on how to cope with poor mental health.
She sees Nottingham as a village to help the students with the support of guidance, administration and staff all working together.
Some of the methods she recommended were, yoga, breathing exercises, and centering yourself (bringing yourself back to the present).
Before Mrs. Parker started working at Nottingham, she was working at Lawrence High School. She met the SAC counselor at Lawrence, then deciding that that was her true calling. She wanted to help the students around her. She then went back to school and landed her job at Nottingham.
Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a rise in family tension and mental health issues.
The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) held the “household pulse” survey to see the rise in anxiety and depression since the start of the pandemic. In New Jersey alone, 28.5% of participants reported they felt symptoms of an anxiety disorder. 22.2% said they had symptoms of a depressive disorder.
In a survey of 48 students at Nottingham High School, 48% answered that they felt the pandemic affected their mental health negatively. Forty-six percent of students also felt their anxiety has increased.
On a happier note, a senior at Nottingham High School, Zainab Iqbal, expressed how religion has helped her through the pandemic and any hardships. Zainab is Muslim and never misses prayer. She says that prayer is what keeps her calm.
Another senior at Nottingham, Kelsey Mason, also speaks on her quarantine/mental health experience. ¨I was anxious because I wasn't doing anything to get covid, I was staying home. I still ended up getting it anyways.¨
Nottingham is here to help, with the help of Mrs. Parker and also for students who have lost a friend or family member.
Mrs. Parker and the grief group aren’t the only places to talk about mental health.
Another potential resource for students is ESS (Effective School Solutions), coordinated by Fern Reinbeck and clinician Ms. Nomora Pearyer.
The program is not open to everyone. It is Tier III level of care, meaning they are referred students who need additional mental health support in a school setting.
Students who are in ESS are identified by teachers, counselors, CST, and administration. After students are referred they participate in a three hour assessment to see if they are appropriate for the program.
Group therapy is provided daily where students share about personal experiences, familial issues, their own mental health and are provided mental health psychoeducation. There is also individual therapy once a week and a family component.
Once a month parent/guardian/caregiver (s) can join in a support group that takes place in the evening on zoom. They discuss topics such as healthy communication, how to work with their teen, setting healthy boundaries, and mental health education.
Reinbeck loves her work and helping students help him/her/ themselves at Nottingham.
When asked why she chose this job, Reinbeck said, “They chose me, I like to think of it that way. I accepted this job because I like working with students.”
She is a licensed counselor in NJ and PA. Previously she had taught every grade level in supplementary school, while also having experience as an educational director. She describes this role as a “perfect fit”.
With all of the experience that Reinbeck has, she says, “I could never do this work without working with my colleague, as Ms. Nomora and I are a team.”
If you or someone you know is struggling, don’t be scared to reach out to Mrs. Parker, a guidance counselor or a trusted adult.
A grief group is held by Mrs. Parker and Mrs. Okereke in the main hall conference room. If you have lost a loved one they will reach out to you, or you can reach out to them.