School Health Newsletter
May 2023
Partnerships - Education - Advocacy - Resources
Announcements
Signs of Suicide Training for Parents
and Guardians 
 
Join RHA of TN during Mental Health Awareness Month in learning about the Signs of Suicide (SOS) for Parents and Guardians. SOS Training is presented by Fiona Hoehn, Mental Health Training Coordinator for Mental Health of America of the Midsouth. Fiona is certified to instruct Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid, QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer), and Signs of Suicide.

This webinar is an hour-long universal suicide prevention training for parents and guardians that teaches them how to recognize warning signs of suicide in youth. Join us on May 16th at 11am CDT. Register here
Call for Speaker Proposals
 
RHAs 29th Annual Conference will be held November 15-17, 2023 in Knoxville. We are now accepting presentation proposals. Proposals should highlight replicable programs, research, and/or collaborative efforts aimed at improving health and access to care in rural Tennessee. The deadline for proposals is May 31st. Submit your proposals here.
May is National Mental Health Awareness Month
 
This #MentalHealthMonth, Mental Health America invites you to #LookAroundLookWithin to learn about how your surroundings can impact mental health. Learn more: mhanational.org/may. Click here for a toolkit and resources.
Resource Highlights
Cultivating Food and Nutrition Security 

Food and nutrition security are essential to maintaining schools and communities that foster whole child health equity. However, according to the USDA, in 2021, more than 33 million Americans lived in households that lacked access to an affordable, nutritious diet, including five million children. Click here to learn more. 
Tennessee State Parks 

As the weather warms up and the days become longer, look for ways to get your family active outside. A great way to stay active is to visit one of our Tennessee State Parks. Click here to explore “things to do," such as:
  • Find Waterfalls
  • Kids and Youth Programs 
  • Camping 
  • Challenge Course 
  • Disc Golf 
  • Paddling and more! 
Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data 

The Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report: 2011–2021 provides the most recent surveillance data, as well as 10-year trends, on health behaviors and experiences among high school students in the United States related to adolescent health and well-being. Click here to view the full report. 
Grant Opportunities
COVID-19 Resources

COVID-19 County Check Find community levels and prevention steps by county. Data updated weekly (CDC).

One Stop Online for COVID Prevention and Treatment in Every County. Visitors to the site can enter their county and map nearby locations for masks, respirators, vaccines, boosters, and all testing and treatment options.

Help Prevent the Spread of Respiratory Viruses
An important step that parents and caregivers can take is to get vaccinated against flu and COVID-19 to help keep kids—especially those under 6 months, who can’t yet receive flu or COVID-19 vaccines—safe.

In addition to staying up to date on their flu and COVID-19 vaccines and protecting high-risk infants, people can prevent the spread of respiratory viruses by taking the following everyday actions:
  • Avoid close contact (such as kissing, shaking hands, and sharing cups and eating utensils) with people who are sick
  • Stay home when sick
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your upper shirt sleeve (not your hands)
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
  • Clean frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs and mobile devices
Vaccinating against flu and COVID-19 is a primary strategy for preventing illness and reducing severity of illness; this not only protects individuals from potentially serious respiratory disease, but also helps to prevent additional strain on the health care system.

Booster Calculator Use this tool to determine when or if you (or your child) can get one or more COVID-19 boosters. Bookmark other CDC tools below.

NRHA updates Rural Vaccine Confidence Initiative toolkit To help rural leaders communicate vaccine safety and efficacy in their own words at the local level, NRHA has added new and updated materials to our Rural Vaccine Confidence Initiative, including website landing page copy, frequently asked questions, and more. These free and easy-to-use communication tools are developed around three specific audiences: hospitals and senior leadership, business and community partners, and whole communities. 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) public education campaign, We Can Do This, recently launched the Pediatricians and Family Physicians Toolkit to help physicians increase confidence in and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines among their patients and in the communities they serve.

Mailing Address:
PO Box 656,
Decaturville, TN 38329
This service was supported by funds made available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support, under GR-21-73441. The contents of this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of/or endorsement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.