OGHS Wellness
Happy Student Mental Health Week Patriots! (2021)
Mental Health Week
Hello Patriots,
May is mental health month and May 10-14 is Student Mental Health Week. Here at OGHS we invite you to take action in bringing awareness to the important issue of student mental during this challenging time of COVID-19. We are asking that you take time this week to practice and learn more about mental health!
This year's Mental Health Matters Month theme is #HopeForChange. The activities and messages ground us in the moment, allow us to reflect on the growth we have experienced, and empower us to face change in the future with hope as our guiding principle. The past year has undoubtedly brought unanticipated changes for us as individuals, families, and communities--leaving us to face these challenges and transform. Change is not always planned. Growth can be powerful and empowering. It can also be uncomfortable. #HopeForChange reminds us to spread and rely on the hope that carried us through a year of change. These activities follow physical distancing guidelines and are built off the past year that changed many of our self care activities.
Take a look at the resources provided below and have a peaceful week!
We ask that you use the hashtag #CA4studentmentalhealth and#HopeForChange with all events and activities so that we are able to celebrate your creativity and implementation statewide.
Understanding and Managing Your Emotions
What Is Mental Health?
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
Over the course of your life, if you experience mental health problems, your thinking, mood, and behavior could be affected. Many factors contribute to mental health problems, including:
- Biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry
- Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse
- Family history of mental health problems
Mental health problems are common but help is available. People with mental health problems can get better and many recover completely.
Early Warning Signs
Not sure if you or someone you know is living with mental health problems? Experiencing one or more of the following feelings or behaviors can be an early warning sign of a problem:
- Eating or sleeping too much or too little
- Pulling away from people and usual activities
- Having low or no energy
- Feeling numb or like nothing matters
- Having unexplained aches and pains
- Feeling helpless or hopeless
- Smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual
- Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, on edge, angry, upset, worried, or scared
- Yelling or fighting with family and friends
- Experiencing severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships
- Having persistent thoughts and memories you can't get out of your head
- Hearing voices or believing things that are not true
- Thinking of harming yourself or others
- Inability to perform daily tasks like taking care of your kids or getting to work or school
Learn more about specific mental health problems and where to find help.
Mental Health and Wellness
Positive mental health allows people to:
- Realize their full potential
- Cope with the stresses of life
- Work productively
- Make meaningful contributions to their communities
Ways to maintain positive mental health include:
- Getting professional help if you need it
- Connecting with others
- Staying positive
- Getting physically active
- Helping others
- Getting enough sleep
- Developing coping skills
Learn More About Mental Health
Book and Appointment
If you need support or want to learn more about mental health connect to your School Counselor or the School Social Worker, book an appointment by clicking on the name or come to our office here at OGHS.
Rita Guerra (Middle College)
Mayra Gonzalez (School Social Worker)
Once a Patriot, Always a Patriot!
Put the MOVE in MOVEMENT!
Focusing on our mental health is both important and challenging. People have been enduring multiple crises over the past year, from a pandemic extending well over a year to a historic fire season that impacted our whole state. Prolonged crises lead to long-term stress, which is often amplified among people who were already experiencing significant life challenges, chronic health, and mental health conditions and disabilities. Experiencing negative emotions, especially when under stress, is part of the human experience.
Thankfully, we all possess readily accessible and free tools that can be used to help manage some of that stress in the moment - movement and your breath. Research has found that exercise and breathing practices are very effective at reducing stress in our lives, but they are also remarkably easy to learn and use.
Today, Put the MOVE in Movement by doing any of the below:
- Practice Diaphragmatic Breathing on your lunch break.
- Try out a 5-minute daily stretching routine.
- Incorporate meditation practices into your self-care routine.
- Plan a free virtual stretching/movement session that people can sign up for.
- View the ‘Putting the MOVE in Mental Health Movement’ Activity Guide here.
Click here for other ideas and resources on how to practice or improve your self-care.
Try out this yoga video to relax and be present!
WANT TO CONNECT!
Student developed videos
De-stress and watch some live animal camera footage from the San Diego Zoo!
The zoo has live camera videos of penguins, elephants, and more!
Positive Affirmations!
“I AM … two of the most powerful words, for what you put after them shapes your reality”.
Affirmations work to reframe an individual's thoughts about themselves, they are positive statements that can help individuals to challenge and overcome negative thoughts. Just as we incorporate exercise into our lives in order to improve our physical health, affirmations are like exercises for our minds and outlook. As this past year has been particularly challenging, incorporating positive affirmations into one’s daily routine and repeating them often can be a useful addition to anyone’s self-care toolbox, as they can drive positive change in many aspects of one’s life.
This week, focus on improving your mind and outlook through Positive Self Talk, or Affirmations:
- Read the article, ‘Using Affirmations: Harnessing Positive Thinking’.
- Create an "I Am" Affirmation Board using a poster board or piece of cardboard and some crafting supplies.
- Snap a photo of your affirmation boards or affirmation messages and share it on social media.
- Share ‘Affirmation Cards’ with a friend, family member, or colleague. You can download printable versions or share them via social media.
Create an "I am" Affirmation Board
OGHS Counseling Team
Visit our Counseling website by clicking here.
OGHS School Counselors:
Sara Steadry (A - DE) ssteadry@euhsd.org
Freddy Delgado (DF- HERN) fdelgado@euhsd.org
Tiffany Wilson (HERO - MI) twilson@euhsd.org
Melissa Allen (MJ - ROD) mallen@euhsd.org
Ryan Chesire (ROE - Z) rchesire@euhsd.org
Rita Guerra (Middle College) rguerra@euhsd.org
School Social Worker
Mayra Gonzalez, MSW, PPSC, mgonzalez@euhsd.org
Office Line: 760-291-5000 ext. 5302 (Visit my virtual Office)
Kylie Przymus, MSW Intern Email: kprzymus@euhsd.org
Counseling Staff
Beatriz Rodriguez, Counseling Secretary, brodriguez@euhsd.org
Office Line: (760)291-5040
Rocio Ramos Rodriguez, Counseling Clerk, rramosrodriguez@euhsd.org
Office Line: (760)291-5041
Diane Landreth, Registrar, dlandreth@euhsd.org
Office Line: (760)291-5059