Calm, Cool, & Colt-Connected
A student mental health & wellness newsletter...
September 14, 2020
About Colt Connection...
Colt Connection School-Based Youth Service Program
The School Based Youth Services Program (SBYSP) initiative was started throughout the State of New Jersey in 1987 to help young people navigate their adolescent years, finish their education, obtain skills leading to employment or continuing education, and graduate healthy and drug free.
Adolescents have numerous concerns and problems. Since a substantial number of teenagers have multiple problems that call for several different services, SBYSP provides an array of employment, health, and social services. Services are available to all youth and recreation is provided. In addition to the following core services, each site develops services which respond to local needs, such as on-site child care, so that teen parents can stay in school.
The major services are:
Mental health and family services
Healthy youth development
Access to primary and preventative health services
Substance abuse counseling
Employment services
Pregnancy prevention programs
Learning support services
Family involvement
Referrals to community based services
Recreation
One-Stop Shopping
SBYSP sites, which are located in each of the 21 counties in or near schools in urban, rural, and suburban communities, are open to all youth ages 10-19, and provide services before, during, and after school, as well as throughout the summer. The comprehensive "one-stop shopping" design helps break down barriers and bureaucratic roadblocks that too often prevent young people from obtaining services and supports. School-Based Youth Service Programs exist in about 100 schools throughout the state of New Jersey
Email: Lawrence-evans@crhsd.org
Website: https://www.crhsd.org/domain/59
Location: 90 Silver Lake Road, Bridgeton, NJ, USA
Phone: 856-451-9400
Tips for Remote Learning
6 Facts about Teen Mental Health
Covid-19 Personal Safety
WELCOME BACK FROM COLT CONNECTION!
Welcome back to the new school year!
The Colt Connection team is excited to help you transition back into remote-learning… please know that our staff of counselors are available to you via our office phone, Remind (texting app), virtual counseling sessions (via Doxy.Me platform), and by scheduling an in-person, socially-distanced session here at the school (by appointment only). For those of you who are new to CRHS… Colt Connection is a School-Based Youth Service Program with counselors who you can access for support throughout your school day. Please feel free to reach out if you are in need of academic or personal support.
Tips for Remote Learning
1. Create a Designated Study Space - Put a desk or table in a relatively quiet area, away from the television and family gathering spaces. Avoid studying on the sofa or bed — not only does it lead to less focus, but it can also result in hunched shoulders, bad posture, and neck pain. Be sure your space has good lighting and enough room for a computer as well as room to write and take notes.
2. Get Organized - Use a planner and note the dates for all tests, projects, and assignments. If needed, figure out how to break up the work into manageable steps. For example, if you have a paper due in two weeks, schedule a little bit of time each day for research, writing, and editing. You may want to make a daily to-do list to stay on top of deadlines for each subject.
3. Limit Digital Distractions - It’s tempting for us to play a game or text friends while they should be focusing on an online class or assignment. To help avoid this, put their phone on Do Not Disturb and put it away. Also, try to avoid opening tabs online that aren’t school-related. It’s far too easy for that 5-minute internet browsing break to turn into 45 minutes of wasted time.
4. Establish a Routine - If you don't have a designated time to be online for a class, set up a daily start time for schoolwork. You should take short breaks between classes and assignments. It’s best if those breaks happen away from the computer. Stretching, walking in the backyard, or getting a snack can help you stay energized and give your eyes a rest from the computer screen.
Strive to make progress in each class every day. You should check online to see if teachers have posted new assignments or notes for the class and complete the tasks on the to-do list they have created. Putting work off until the last minute can result in falling behind, and it can be hard to catch up once you are off track.
6 Facts About Teen Mental Health
- One in five people are aged 10–19 years.
- Mental health conditions account for 16% of the global burden of disease and injury in people aged 10–19 years.
- Half of all mental health conditions start by 14 years of age but most cases are undetected and untreated.
- Globally, depression is one of the leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents.
- Suicide is the third leading cause of death in 15-19-year-olds.
- The consequences of not addressing adolescent mental health conditions extend to adulthood, impairing both physical and mental health and limiting opportunities to lead fulfilling lives as adults
- https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-mental-health
Covid-19 Safety Tips
- Consider if anyone in your home is at high risk for COVID-19. This may include people over 65 years old or those with certain underlying health conditions. If so, it's recommended you stay at home if possible.
- Opt for outdoor activities over indoor when possible. Steer clear of large parties or social gatherings and instead consider visiting non-crowded parks, hosting small backyard gatherings like cookouts. Make sure to take steps to prevent heat exhaustion during warm weather - such as staying hydrated and enjoying activities early in the morning or later in the evening.
- If getting outside food to eat, curbside takeout can be a safer option. If choosing to eat at a restaurant, sit outside if possible, at tables spaced at least six feet apart. Check the restaurant's website ahead of time to see their COVID-19 safety guidelines.
- If planning travel, avoid areas with high spread and choose a destination that allows you to social distance. Vacations such as camping or renting a secluded cabin or house will generally be safer than visiting a big city or crowded attraction.
- For any social activities, always remember the importance of physical distancing, cleaning hands often, and wearing face masks. Keep hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes available for on-the-go use