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This article is about preventing tobacco use by campaigning for tobacco-free kids. In this article, it discusses the danger that tobacco has for children. Over 400,000 middle and high school children are smoking some form of tobacco. 2.0 percent of high school students and 1.0 percent of middle school students currently smoke. Around 90 percent of smokers begin before the age of 21. This article pertains to teaching elementary students about health because it informs them of the dangers that tobacco use can have. Many of elementary-age students may have adults or older siblings in their lives that use tobacco. This article can provide factual information on how tobacco use is very harmful. Teachers can help children learn more about this topic in the classroom by explaining in detail some of the major effects tobacco use can have on them. The teacher can do this in a way that will not scare the children but provide information on the negative effects it has. It is essential for teachers to know about this topic because it is a reality that children are beginning to use tobacco at younger and younger ages. By being aware of this fact, teachers can do their best to provide students with information about the consequences of tobacco use.

Bibliography:
Campaign for Tabacco-Free Kids (February, 2023). Tabacco Harm to Kids. Retrieved from
https://padlet.com/if954056/my-sublime-padlet-72kpi34s6goje9hs/wish/2550713406

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This article on mental health from NIH is an important part of children's overall well-being. Early treatment for mental health conditions in childhood is pivotal. Early treatment can help prevent more severe, lasting problems as a child grows up into a young adult. One of the signs of mental health conditions in young children is irritability and troubling behavior. As a parent or teacher, it is important to be looking out for these signs and determining if it is just a part of the child's growth or if it is something deeper.
This article pertains to teaching health to elementary students because it will encourage students that it is okay to ask for help. This article discusses the idea of treating mental health issues as early as possible. Teachers in the classroom can help students feel safe and accepted in the classroom. Their classroom can be a safe space where students feel comfortable coming forward with any of their mental health concerns.
In the PreK-4th grade classroom, it is important for teachers to know the signs of mental health issues. If teachers are educated on these signs they can look out for the students in their classroom and take any actions necessary.

Bibliography:
National Insitute of Mental Health. (April 10, 2023). Child and Adolescent Mental Health. Retrieved
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/child-and-adolescent-mental-health

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National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

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Overview

Mental health is an important part of overall health for children as well as adults. For many adults who have mental disorders, symptoms were present-but often not recognized or addressed-in childhood and adolescence. For a young person with symptoms of a mental disorder, the earlier treatment is started, the more effective it can be. Early treatment can help prevent more severe, lasting problems as a child grows up.

Warning signs

Health topics and resources

Featured videos

Learn about youth suicide, the effects of technology and the pandemic on the developing brain, and tips for supporting the mental health of youth.

Got 60 seconds? Take a mental health minute to learn about stress and anxiety in adolescents.

Got 60 seconds? Take a mental health minute to learn about attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or ADHD.

Health hotlines

Clinical trials

Unless otherwise specified, the information on our website and in our publications is in the public domain and may be reused or copied without permission. However, you may not reuse or copy the images. Please cite the National Institute of Mental Health as the source. Read our copyright policy to learn more about our guidelines for reusing NIMH content.

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Find information about child and adolescent mental health, including warning signs, latest news and resources, videos, and how to find help.

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This article is about drug abuse from MedlinePlus. In this article, it discusses that many teenagers are becoming addicted to drugs at a very young age. Parents are beginning to worry earlier and earlier that their child is going to become addicted to drugs. Marijuana is the most common drug among teens and young adults. The most common reason teenagers begin using drugs is to fit in with their friends. This topic relates to teaching health at the elementary level because many of the student's families you will teach have struggled with drug addiction. Providing information on what drug addiction looks like can greatly help students learn the information needed to report a drug problem in their household. In the classroom, the teacher can help students identify the signs of drug addiction and the correct actions to take if they suspect someone in their family is abusing drugs. It is important for teachers to be educated on this topic so they can be informed on what drug addiction looks like and the resources provided by the school to report drug addiction.

Bibliography:
MedlinePlus (2023). Teenagers and drugs. Retrieved from
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001975.htm

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First, learn about the different types of drugs that may be used. Older teens are more likely to use drugs than younger teens. Marijuana (pot) is still common. More and more teens are using prescription drugs.

WHY TEENS USE DRUGS

There are many reasons why teens might use drugs. Some common reasons include:

To fit in. Social status is very important to teens. Your teen may do drugs in an attempt to fit in with friends or impress a new group of kids.

To be social. Some teens use drugs because it lowers their inhibitions and makes them more comfortable socially.

To deal with life changes. Change is not easy for anyone. Some teens turn to drugs to deal with situations such as moving, starting at a new school, puberty, or going through their parents' divorce.

To ease pain and anxiety. Teens may use drugs to deal with problems with family, friends, school, mental health, or self-esteem.

TALKING WITH YOUR TEEN ABOUT DRUGS

It is not easy, but it is important to talk with your teen about drugs. It is one of the best ways to prevent teen drug use. Here are some tips:

Do not make it one "big talk." Instead, have ongoing conversations about drugs with your teen. Use news stories, TV shows, or movies as a starting point for conversations.

Do not lecture. Instead, ask open-ended questions like, "Why do you think those kids were using drugs?" or, "Have you ever been offered drugs?" Your teen may respond in a more positive way if you have a real conversation.

Let your teen know how you feel. Make it clear to your teen that you do not approve of drug use.

Give your teen time to talk and listen without interrupting. This will show that you care about your child's opinion.

Spend some time every day talking about what is going on in your teen's life. This will make it easier to talk when tougher subjects come up, like alcohol, drugs, and sex.

HELP PREVENT DRUG USE

While there is no surefire way to make sure your teen never does drugs, you can take the following steps to help prevent it.

Stay involved. Build a strong relationship with your teen and show support for their interests.

Be a good role model. Your own behaviors send a direct message to your teen, whether you know it or not. Do not use drugs, and use prescription medicines only as directed. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.

Meet and get to know your teen's friends. If possible, meet their parents too. Encourage your teen to invite friends over so you can get to know them better. If you think a friend is a bad influence, do not hesitate to step in or encourage your child to make other friends.

Set clear rules for your teen about drug use. This may include not riding in a car with kids who have been doing drugs and not staying at a party where anyone is doing drugs.

Know what your teen is doing. Teens who are unsupervised are more likely to experiment with drugs. Keep tabs on where your teen is and who they are with. Ask your teen to check in with you at certain times of the day, such as after school.

Encourage healthy activities. Hobbies, clubs, sports, and part-time jobs are all great ways to keep teens busy. By staying active, your teen will have less time to get involved with drug use.

KNOW THE SIGNS

There are many physical and behavioral signs that point to drug use. Learn them and be aware if your teen acts or looks different. The signs include:

Slow or slurred speech (from using downers and depressants)

Rapid, explosive speech (from using uppers)

Bloodshot eyes

Cough that does not go away

Unusual odor on breath (from using inhalant drugs)

Pupils that are extremely big (dilated) or extremely small (pinpoint)

Rapid eye motion (nystagmus), a possible sign of PCP use

Loss of appetite (occurs with amphetamine, methamphetamine, or cocaine use)

Increased appetite (with marijuana use)

Unsteady gait

You may notice changes in your teen's energy level, such as:

Sluggishness, listlessness, or constant sleeping (from using opiate drugs, such as heroin or codeine, or when coming down off stimulant drugs)

Hyperactivity (as seen with uppers such as cocaine and methamphetamine)

You also may notice changes in your teen's behavior:

Poor grades in school and missing more school days

Not taking part in usual activities

Change in group of friends

Secretive activities

Lying or stealing

HOW TO GET HELP

If you think your teen is using drugs, start by talking with your family health care provider. Your provider can help treat your teen, or can refer you to a drug specialist or treatment center. You can also look for resources in your community or local hospitals. Look for a specialist who has experience working with teenagers.

Do not hesitate, get help right away. The sooner you get help, the less likely your teen's drug use will turn into drug abuse.

You can find more information at teens.drugabuse.gov.

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Teenagers and drugs: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

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First, learn about the different types of drugs that may be used. Older teens are more likely to use drugs than younger teens. Marijuana (pot) is still common. More and more teens are using prescription drugs. WHY TEENS USE DRUGS There are many reasons why teens might use drugs.

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This article is about Intentional Injury and Violence from MedlinePlus. The suicide rate is at an all-time high. Children and young adults are committing suicide at rates never seen before. It is extremely important to watch out for signs in children and young adults of depression, stress, and suicidal behavior. Open communication between students and teachers is extremely important. This article relates to teaching health in elementary school because it is never too early to explain to students how valuable they are in the world. It is important to describe to students the different resources that are available if they are ever feeling stressed or depressed. Teachers in the classroom can help children learn about this topic by educating them on how to get in contact with the school counselor etc. They can also inform the class that they are there for their students no matter the circumstances. The teacher can describe how the classroom is a safe space. It is essential for teachers to be educated on this topic because teachers need to be aware of the signs of suicide and the actions to take.

Bibliography:
MedlinePlus. (November 28, 2023). Death among young children and adults. Retrieved from
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001915.htm

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Death among children and adolescents: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

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Read our article and learn more on MedlinePlus: Death among children and adolescents

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This article is about personal health and wellness from familydoctor.org. This article discusses the two different types of illnesses and how they can affect your personal health. There is acute and chronic illness. Acute illness is an illness that lasts a short time and chronic illness that is ongoing and affects your health over a long period of time. It is important to know the difference and the steps to take. This relates to teaching health at the elementary school level so the students can know the difference between an acute common cold and a more chronic illness. This information will help children learn more about their bodies. Teachers can help students learn more about this concept by explaining in class the different examples of acute and chronic illnesses. It is important for teachers to be educated on this topic so that they can know which illnesses their students have that are extrmely serious and which do not need immediate attention.

Bibliography:
Robert Chuck Ritch, Jr. (March 2023). Self-management: Taking Charge of Your Health. Retrieved from
https://familydoctor.org/self-management-taking-charge-of-your-health/?adfree=true

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What is self-management of chronic illness?

Self-management of chronic illness means that you take responsibility for doing what it takes to manage your illness effectively. It's important for you to be responsible for your health. The treatment recommendations your doctor makes won't do any good unless you follow them. They can't make decisions for you or make you change your behavior. Only you can do these things.

In self-management, you and your doctor are partners in your care. Your doctor can provide valuable advice and information to help you manage your illness. However, the treatment plan that works best for one person with your condition might not work best for you. Talk to your doctor about the different treatment options available. Help them create a plan that's right for you. After all, nobody knows more than you do about your feelings, your actions, and how your health problems affect you.

As part of self-management, it's also your responsibility to ask for the help you need to manage your illness. This support can come from friends and family members. It may come from your doctor or a support group for people with your health problem.

How can self-management help a person who has a chronic illness?

Once you've decided to take an active role in managing your illness, you and your doctor can work together to set goals that will lead to better health. These goals will be part of an overall treatment plan.
Pick a problem
Take an honest look at the unhealthy aspects of your lifestyle. Start with a particular behavior that you'd like to change to have better control of your illness. For example, you might decide that you don't eat enough vegetables, get enough exercise, or take your medicines as your doctor tells you to.
Get specific
Once you've identified a problem, state a specific goal for managing it. The more specific your goal, the more likely you are to succeed. For example, instead of saying, "I'm going to exercise more," decide what kind of exercise you'll do. Be specific about what days of the week you'll exercise and what times you'll exercise on those days. Your new goal might be: "During my lunch hour on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I'm going to walk 1 mile in the park."

After you've stated your goal, think of things that could go wrong and plan how you'll overcome them. For example, if it rains and you can't go to the park, where will you go to walk? If you plan how to handle problems in advance, they won't prevent you from meeting your goals.
Check your confidence level
Ask yourself, "How confident am I that I'll be able to meet this goal?" If the answer is "Not very confident," you may need to start with a more realistic goal.

As you're working toward your goal, check in regularly with your doctor to let them know how you're doing. If you're having trouble following the plan, talk to your doctor to figure out why. Your setbacks can be learning experiences that help you make a new plan for success.

Things to consider

One of the most important things to remember is that you can change your behavior. Even though your illness makes you feel helpless at times, you are not. If you work with your doctor to set goals and you take responsibility for following through with them, you can make changes that will lead to better health.

Questions for your doctor

What are my treatment options?

What is the goal of my treatment?

What complications could develop from my illness?

How often should I see my doctor to monitor my chronic illness?

Should I also see a specialist for my chronic illness?

Can you recommend a support group?

What books or websites should I read to learn more about my chronic illness?

Resources
National Institutes of Health, MedlinePlus: Coping with Chronic Illness

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Self-management: Taking Charge of Your Health - familydoctor.org

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Self-management of chronic illness means that you take responsibility for doing what it takes to manage your illness effectively. It's important for you to be responsible for your health. The treatment recommendations your doctor makes won't do any good unless you follow them. They can't make decisions for you or make you change your behavior.

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This article is about grief and loss from MedlinePlus. Greif is the reaction to a major loss of someone or something. It is most often a painful emotion. Greif can occur if a loved one passed away. Everyone feels grief in their own way. The more important thing is to respect people through their own grieving process. The information in this article pertains to health at the elementary school level because it provides detailed information about what grief looks like and the different variations of it. This information can greatly help children who are going through the grieving process or simply just inform other children about what the grieving process looks like. Teachers in the classroom can help children understand this concept by modeling appropriate ways to talk to/help a classmate who is in the grieving process. Modeling this for students can help them see the correct way to act. It is essential for teachers to know about this topic because the grieving process looks different for everyone, especially for young children. Being educated on this can help make your students feel more comfortable.

Bibliography:
Fred K. Berger, MD. (April 30, 2023.) Grief. Retrieved
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001530.htm

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Grief may be triggered by the death of a loved one. People also can experience grief if they have an illness for which there is no cure, or a chronic condition that affects their quality of life. The end of a significant relationship may also cause grieving.

Everyone feels grief in their own way. But there are common stages to the process of mourning. It starts with recognizing a loss and continues until a person eventually accepts that loss.

People's responses to grief will be different, depending on the circumstances of the event. For example, if the person who died had a chronic illness, the death may have been expected. The end of the person's suffering might even have come as a relief. If the death was accidental or violent, coming to a stage of acceptance might take longer.

One way to describe grief is in five stages. These reactions might not occur in a specific order, and can occur together. Not everyone experiences all of these emotions:

Denial, disbelief, numbness

Anger, blaming others

Bargaining (for instance, "If I am cured of this cancer, I will never smoke again.")

Depressed mood, sadness, and crying

Acceptance, coming to terms

People who are grieving may have crying spells, trouble sleeping, and lack of productivity at work.

Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms, including your sleep and appetite. Symptoms that last for a while may lead to clinical depression.

Family and friends can offer emotional support during the grieving process. Sometimes, outside factors can affect the normal grieving process, and people might need help from:

Clergy

Mental health specialists

Social workers

Support groups

The acute phase of grief may last up to 2 months. Milder symptoms may last for a year or longer. Psychological counseling may help a person who is unable to face the loss (absent grief reaction), or who has depression with grieving.

Joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems and help relieve the stress from grieving especially if you have lost a child or spouse.

Complications that may result from ongoing grief include:

Call your provider if:

You can't deal with grief

You are using excessive amounts of drugs or alcohol

You become very depressed

You have long-term depression that interferes with your daily life

You have suicidal thoughts

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also call 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK). The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential support 24/7, anytime day or night.

You can also call 911 or the local emergency number or go to the hospital emergency room. DO NOT delay.

If someone you know has attempted suicide, call 911 or the local emergency number right away. DO NOT leave the person alone, even after you have called for help.

American Psychiatric Association website. Trauma- and stressor-related disorders. In: American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing. 2013:265-290.

Powell AD. Grief, bereavement, and adjustment disorders. In: Stern TA, Fava M, Wilens TE, Rosenbaum JF, eds. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 38.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Tips for survivors: coping with grief after a disaster or traumatic event. HHS Publication No. SMA-17-5035 (2017). store.samhsa.gov/product/Tips-for-Survivors-/SMA17-5035. Updated December 2017. Accessed August 17, 2022.

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Grief may be triggered by the death of a loved one. People also can experience grief if they have an illness for which there is no cure, or a chronic condition that affects their quality of life. The end of a significant relationship may also cause grieving.

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This article is about physical activity from CNN Health. This article discusses five easy steps to get healthy. The steps are to get enough sleep, eat good food, exercise, socialize, and reduce stress. This article discusses the importance of each of these five steps. It is not good enough to simply be strong in one or two of the categories and weak in the rest. For the best overall outcome, all five of these steps must be balanced. This information pertains to teaching health in the elementary school setting because it is important for the students at this age level to begin to realize the steps it takes for a healthy lifestyle. Teachers in the classroom setting can help children learn about this topic by describing in detail each step of getting healthy to the class. The teacher could also provide the class opportunities to practice some of the steps listed above during the school day. It is important for teachers to be educated on this topic because we have the responsibility to do what is best for our students. Ensuring our students are healthy and in good condition is important. It is also an opportunity for teachers to think if they are the healthiest they can be for their students and themselves.

Bibliography:
Madeline Holcombe. (April 7, 2023). 5 easy steps to get healthier. Retrieved from
https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/07/health/world-health-day-get-healthy-wellness/index.html

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The World Health Organization, which tackles some of the planet’s toughest health crises, turns 75 this month. Why not honor its work by making some healthy changes to your own life? Here are five areas to address today.

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This article about nutrition is from Medlineplus. Good nutrition is important for keeping people healthy. This is the case for people from the time they are born all the way through their older adult years. Good nutrition can help people live longer and feel better. Nutrition is about healthy eating habits and giving our bodies the proper nutrients. This article will benefit elementary students in many ways. This article can provide students with information about healthy eating habits and what that looks like. Teachers in the classroom can help students learn more about this topic by discussing some of the healthy food items discussed in the article. The teacher could even bring in some healthy food options for the class if at all possible. This information is essential for teachers to know in the PreK-4 classrooms because it provides detailed information about good nutrition that can change their students' lives for the better.

Bibliography:
MedlinePlus. (2023). Nutrition. Retrieved
https://medlineplus.gov/nutrition.html

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Food provides the energy and nutrients you need to be healthy. It is important to eat a variety of foods to get all the nutrients you need. Learn more.