Wellness Quarterly
Updates from your Student Assistance Counselors...Quarterly!
Welcome Parents!
Holidays
The holidays can be a wonderful time of celebration with friends and family. It can also be the most stressful and overwhelming time of the year. Family dynamics may have an impact on our well-being throughout this season. In this newsletter, we've included resources for keeping calm, addressing grief, and making the most of this holiday season.
Grief, Loss, and the Holidays
The approaching holiday season can bring challenges for families who have lost a close loved one, whether recently or a long time ago. Local hospitals, funeral homes, and religious organizations often have support groups available.
Resources:
- Book: Option B, by Sheryl Sandberg
- Book: How Will I Get Through the Holidays?, by James E. Miller
- Article: Grief and the Holidays
- Website & Local Support Group: Good Grief
- Local Support Group: Imagine
- Camp: Comfort Zone Camp
- Camp: Camp Clover
Mindfulness
Practicing Mindfulness has been proven to relieve stress and anxiety. Establishing a practice (even 1 minute per day) can help improve our well-being in times of stress, regulate emotions, and improve immunity to viruses and colds. Here are some helpful apps for you to use and share with your family.
Apps and Websites for Mindfulness:
Below is a video "The Scientific Power of Meditation". To play the video, click anywhere in the box.
Vaping Updates
There continues to be new information coming out about e-cigarettes and their capabilities, as well as health concerns. The longer the products are available, the more information we have about the impact on our bodies and what this could mean long term. It is important to consider the source when obtaining new information.
- There is no requirement for manufacturers to report e-cigarette/juice ingredients.
- Vaporizers that advertise "nicotine free" do not necessarily have 0 mg of nicotine. If there was actually no nicotine, there would be no chemical dependency.
- It is possible to put THC (the chemical found in marijuana) into JUUL vape pens. Vapes specifically designed for THC are on the market.
- Dab pens are increasingly popular among high school and college students. Dab pens contain a waxy substance called "dab" which contains a highly concentrated level of THC.
- One cigarette contains approximately 2mg of nicotine. One JUUL pod contains 5% nicotine which is the equivalent of one pack of cigarettes. E-cig juice is sold with nicotine concentration as high as 45%. The juice is sold online or at local smoke shops.
Below is a Vaping Brochure. When you click to download, you will be automatically redirected to the Smore newsletter website. Scroll down to the Vaping Brochure and click on it again to view the pdf file.
Resources
Livingston Parent Self-Help Support Group. Group is open to all parents living in Essex, Morris and Union Counties. Meetings Every Tuesday 8-10 PM at Livingston Community Center. The purpose of the group is to offer parents support and practical information on how they can better help their children.
PFLAG Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays of Northern NJ. This group meets regularly in Montclair NJ and are dedicated to supporting the LGBT community.
Mindful Schools A resource for teaching mindfulness and stress reduction to school aged children and teens. Trainings and programs available at:
Municipal Alliance Committee of the Chathams Volunteer organization devoted to educating the community about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. "MACC's purpose is promote a thriving Chatham community by way of its residents, individually and collectively, embracing prevention as an essential tool again substance abuse." Monthly meetings. All are welcome.
Mental Health Association of Morris County A Morris County resource providing information and services regarding mental health www.mhamorris.org
Upcoming Events
Smart Strategies for Relaxation and Success - December 19 - Governor Livingston High School, Berkeley Heights. See Smart Strategies flyer below. When you click to download, you will be automatically redirected to the Smore newsletter website. Scroll down to the Smart Strategies and click on it again to view the pdf file.
Berkeley Heights Consortium Event - February 7 - Governor Livingston High School - More information to follow
Contact Us
Chatham Middle School
973-457-2506 X3036
Lisa Lattarulo
Chatham High School
973-457-2536