Whitehall School Nurses Holiday Check-In

The media likes to portray the holidays as a happy time, but they are not for everyone. Check out some tips from Youth Dynamics for helping kids deal with holiday stress. Youth Dynamics is a mental health service provider around Montana. The closest locations to Whitehall are Boulder and Butte.

“The holiday season is a time that, for many, is filled with fun and joy. Yet, for others, it’s a period flavored withstress and even trauma. This time of year can bring up memories of loss, create tension in homes, and present challenges as many families struggle to make ends meet.

Truthfully, the holidays not only amplify stress but can exacerbate existing mental health issues. For example, a National Alliance of Mental Illness study showed that 64% of those with mental health conditions report increased symptoms around the holidays.

So, how can we help our kids navigate holiday stress to keep their mental health in tip-top shape? Below are a few tips to help!

Role model healthy coping skills: We set the tone for our kid’s behavior. Simply put, if we let holiday stress get to us, our children will pick up on that, and anxiety is more likely to be a problem.

So, while easier said than done, make sure to practice healthy coping skills and whatever self-care strategies keep you at your best.

Routine helps kids thrive: This time of year often throws routines out the window, particularly for kids with holiday breaks from school. Yet, structure is critical for mental health and navigating stress.

Do what you can to help create a routine for your kids. Great examples of how to do so include setting regular sleep schedules and mealtimes.

Don’t overschedule: While it’s tempting to try to fit a lot into the short holiday season, try your best to refrain. Cramming too much in will overwhelm, adding stress in the home, and lead to anxiety and challenging behaviors in kids.

Help kids practice kindness & gratitude: We get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays that it’s easy to forget the true meaning behind the season. An excellent way for you and your kids to navigate stress is to give back. Encourage your little ones to shovel a neighbor’s driveway or find ways to participate in charitable giving.

Do you have a child who is struggling? If so, we can help! Check out the clinical services page on our website to learn more about mental health support available to children through Youth Dynamics. Then, contact us online or call 406-245-6539 to reach any of our 30 locations about getting your child started.”

How do you know if changes in your teenager are normal or something to worry about?

In addition to more overt symptoms like mood swings, irritability, anger and tearfulness, you may see:

● Notable changes in sleep, weight, eating habits or other everyday patterns

● Loss of interest in the things they usually love or quitting activities that they enjoy

● Withdrawing more than usual from friends, family and community

● Canceling plans with their closest friends with little or no explanation

● Academic struggles that seem different or more intense: for example, failing quizzes in their favorite subject or refusing to do homework that once would have seemed easy

● Running thoughts or worries that won’t leave them alone

● A whole new set of friends you’ve never met before

● Refusing to talk about what’s bothering them, even after you’ve made it as safe as possible to discuss hard issues openly

● Obsession with a certain goal, possibly with the belief that if they don’t achieve it, their life will never be the same

● Signs of drug, alcohol or other substance use

● Signs of self-harm such as cuts, burns, bruises, etc. that your teen tries to hide or can’t explain fully and credibly

● Sexual activity or interest that seems new or more intense than before

Keep in mind that having just one symptom on this list doesn’t mean your teen is experiencing a full-blown crisis. Biological changes, including the hormone shifts all tweens and teens go through, can affect your child’s mood, school performance and more. But if you consistently see one or more of these signs, it’s time to open a conversation about mental health with your teen.

Do you have the Poison Control number saved in your phone? 1-800-222-1222 The Poison Control Center also has an app. It isn’t just for ingestions, you can look up unidentified pills, read about common concerns at different times of the year or for different ages.

Check out this link to their website for common Poison Control calls and questions during the holiday season (https://bit.ly/3FbxTaI).