Fall is here, school is in full swing, and, as hard as it is to believe, the holidays are just around the corner. Hopefully your year is off to a great start, with exciting memories already made and many more to look forward to. We want this year to be safe, happy, and healthy for everyone, so read on for tips on battling anxiety, talking to your kids about difficult (but important) topics, and how to build more joy and satisfaction into your everyday routine. Be sure to check out the link to our SEL Online Library as well for links to read-a-longs for books on any number of social emotional topics. For even more helps, take a look at our newsletter archives on our Counseling Webpage under "Newsletter Archive" in the left-hand column.

As always, if you are concerned that you or someone you know may be experiencing a mental health issue, it is important to act. Start the conversation. Seek help from a trusted adult. A list of area Mental Health resources and hotlines can be found on our district counseling website under Counseling Resources. You are not alone.

Happy Harvest,

Ashley Ward, MS, LPC, CCTP

Coordinator of Counseling and Student Support

Mabank ISD

amward@mabankisd.net

November is National Gratitude Month, and it's no wonder with it being the month of Thanksgiving and Harvest. But did you know that gratitude actually rewires your brain? Recent studies in gratitude have gained attention over the last few years because of the remarkable positive impact gratitude has on our bodies and our brains. People who report regularly practicing gratitude have longer lives, better physical health, and greater overall life satisfaction! Check out the articles below for more details.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), within the last two years, teen overdose deaths related to Fentanyl have tripled. Over half of all overdose deaths are related to Fentanyl use.

Fentanyl can come in many forms and even the smallest amount can be lethal. It is often mixed with other drugs such as cocaine and heroin. Prescription medications can also be laced with it. There have been some cases where the Fentanyl pills were made to look like candy. Oftentimes, the teen has no idea that what they are taking has Fentanyl in it.

What can you do as a parent to prevent your teen from falling prey to this deadly trend?

1) Talk to your teen. Talk about the dangers that they may face at parties and social events. Let them know that they can talk to you about things that are concerning them.

2) Monitor their social media and app usage. This is a common way that teens get access to this drug.

3) Encourage your teen to get involved with extra-curricular activities, church, service projects, community, and school organizations. Keeping your teen involved can help battle loneliness, isolation, and hopelessness.

4) Know how to access the district’s anonymous reporting tool. It can be found on the district’s website. Report any suspicion that Fentanyl use may be occurring in the schools or that someone may be abusing it. Encourage your child to do the same. You could save a life.

5) Monitor your child’s behavior. Has their behavior changed lately? Do they have a new set of “friends”? Are they keeping to themselves more often than usual?

6) Seek help if your child is facing a mental health challenge or if you suspect they are using any substance.

Momentous Institute has been building and repairing social emotional health for nearly a century. Almost anywhere you look, the research confirms what we know to be true – that people with solid social emotional intelligence are happier, healthier and more successful.

All lessons are built on safe relationships and move up through self-regulation, awareness of self and others, empowering students to be change makers themselves. As we wrap-up Safe Relationships, we move to the next step in our Social Emotional Learning- Self-Regulation.

Self Regulation breaks down the importance of the Brain-Body connection, Breath work, Feelings, Body, and Impulse Control. First up are the roles the brain and breathing play in self-regulation.

What Is It?

The brain guides everything that you do: how you move your body, make decisions, experience emotions and deal with stress. When children understand how their brain is connected to their emotions, they are better able to manage those emotions.

Breath is a tool for self regulation that aids in managing impulses and emotions.

Why Is It Important?

Kids benefit from learning how the brain works because it helps them to understand their thoughts, emotions and behaviors.

Breathing is a tool that your children (and you!) can use to relax and think clearly.

This is an amazing scholarship opportunity available to any Texas student who plans to pursue a trade or vocational degree or certification at an accredited community college or nonprofit trade school in the state of Texas. The Life Association Scholarship may be used for tuition, fees, books, and equipment. They only have 1 applicant as of April 21st, so please share this great opportunity!

Click the link below to complete the 2022 Universal Application for the Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT) scholarship opportunities. This allows you to apply for multiple scholarships hosted by CFT in one spot.

A chatbot named ADVi – short for “adviser” – uses artificial intelligence to provide on-demand support to Texans looking to attend or return to higher education. Right now, any student in Texas may access ADVi by texting “COLLEGE” to 512-829-3687 or by starting a freshman application in ApplyTexas.

When students sign up to receive messages from ADVi, they receive:

• The ability to ask questions about college 24/7 via text message,
• Backup support from our virtual advisers if a student has needs or questions beyond what ADVi can provide,
• Student-friendly, accurate, and engaging messages about key college access milestones,
• Information and tips to help with their college applications, planning, and financial aid, and
• Resources to help navigate the transition to college.

Learn more at www.askADVi.org.

Ashley Ward, MS, LPC Coordinator of Counseling

Email: amward@mabankisd.net
Website: https://www.mabankisd.net/page/counseling
Location: 310 East Market Street, Mabank, TX, USA
Phone: 903.880.1300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mabankisd
Twitter: @mabankisd