Health Annotations by Emma Hamilton

Mental and Emotional Health

erosehamilton24 — 2024-04-30 13:49:12 UTC

This article about mental and emotional health in schools from The Washington Post goes in depth about the impacts that the pandemic had on students mental health and the lack of support that schools are able to offer. The article offers statistics like 7 in 10 public schools are seeing more students requesting services. In a poll only around half of schools noted that they felt they were able to provide adequate services for students. Because of increasing demand for mental health services, schools have made changes like offering teachers mental health training, making changes to the academic calendar, and implementing support groups. The information directly pertains to teaching health in elementary schools because we can work to provide students with the resources they need such as support groups and one on one support with a counselor.

Meckler, L. (2022, May 31). Schools are struggling to meet rising mental health needs, data shows. The Washington Post. Retrieved April 23, 2024, from

Physical Activity

erosehamilton24 — 2024-04-30 13:50:22 UTC

The article Physical Fitness Linked to Better Mental Health in Young People by The New York Times dives into a study that was recently published about how physical fitness combats against developing depressive, anxiety, and ADHD symptoms. This specific study is drawn from independent assessments and objective standards which differs from previous reports that link physical and mental health, which drew from questionnaires and self-reports. The article states that "mental health is the defining public health crisis of our time.". The information in this article is important to know for teachers who teach health to elementary students because physical health and activity can be a deterrent for mental health issues. Teachers can give students physical activity outlets to help combat poor mental health.

Richtel, M. (2024, April 29). Physical Fitness Linked to Better Mental Health in Young People. The New York Times. Retrieved April 23, 2024, from

Safety and Preventing Unintentional Injury

erosehamilton24 — 2024-04-30 13:50:39 UTC

In the article Hundreds of young children killed playing with guns, CDC reports by CBS News gives insight on the horrifying statistics about incidental deaths from unsafely stored guns. The article stated that 8 in 10 gun death incidents took place in a home and of those 56% happened in the child's own home. For kids aged 0 to 5 more than half the deaths were found to be self inflicted. 99 percent of the reported deaths were with guns that had been stored both loaded and unlocked. A new finding shows that gun owners with children are more likely to safely store their gun compared to years past, however the article notes that more parents overall are owning firearms so this offsets the increase in safer gun storage. As a health teacher gun safety can be a really important classroom topic. As a teacher you can also send PSA to the parents of your students explaining the importance of safe gun storage. It is essential for teachers to know about the dangers of unsafely stored guns because as teachers we want to do everything to keep our students safe.

Tin, A. (2023, December 14). Hundreds of young children killed playing with guns, CDC reports. CBS News. Retrieved April 23, 2024, from

Intentional Injury and Violence

erosehamilton24 — 2024-04-30 13:51:08 UTC

In the article, About 1 in 5 high school students have witnessed community violence, new CDC report says by CNN Health reports on community violence and its effects on youth. A harrowing statistic states that suicide is the third leading cause of death among 14 to 18 year olds. The article lists numerous statistic which tie to the idea that "teen dating violence, sexual violence, and bullying are "common experiences" for US high schoolers.". The article shares more information on statistics regarding connectedness, parental support, and substance abuse. My overall take away was that much of our youth are going through intense and dangerous experiences and we are only perpetuating them by not taking action as this is a real public health crisis. As a teacher I feel like this is important to be aware of because I want to create a safe space in my classroom where students can come for help if they are feeling any of these ways. I also think we need to educate our students in a deeper way. Clearly the current ways we are educating our students on the dangers of substance abuse or guns aren't working.

Howard, J. (2024, April 28). About 1 in 5 high school students have witnessed community violence, new CDC report says. CNN Health. Retrieved April 23, 2024, from

Preventing Tobacco Use

erosehamilton24 — 2024-04-30 13:51:20 UTC

In the article Juul to pay D.C. $15 million in settlement for marketing products to teens by The Washington Post readers learn about the current settlement that is being carried out currently against the vape company Juul. The article shares that in 2019 Juuls began to get very popular with teens. This can be attributed to the marketing from Juul which featured young models at elaborate parties. The vapes also came in fun flavors and sleek size. The company is also said to have downplayed Juuls nicotine contents and how addictive it truly is. A powerful quote from a DC principal says Juul " reversed a decades-long trend of declining teen smoking rates.". As a teacher I want to know about the dangers of tobacco and vape use because it is so common now, in 2022 a study found that 2.5 million adolescents were using some type of e-cigarette. I would want to teach my students about the dangers of using vapes. A lot of times they are seen as a healthier alternative to smoking, however, we know just how addicting they are and that there have been deaths associated with vaping.

Brice-Saddler, M. (2023, April 12).Juul to pay D.C. $15 million in settlement for marketing products to teens. The Washington Post. Retrieved April 23, 2024, from

Death/Grief/Loss

erosehamilton24 — 2024-04-30 13:51:55 UTC

In the article 1 in 12 kids lose a parent or sibling before turning 18: Report by ABC News shares personal stories of parent loss, statistics of parent/sibling loss, and ways for schools to help students going through this. The article talks about the need to openly talk about death and grief in schools so that students don't feel alone. The article also mentions how losing a parent is a huge risk factor for adult mental health problems. As a teacher it is important that you address death and grief in the classroom because it can happen to any of our students and we need to create a safe environment for them to learn and heal. I think talking with students about death and grief can help them empathize with their peers who may be dealing with the death of a loved one. Also talking about it in the beginning of the school year and not just speaking about it if or when it happens to a student in your classroom is good measure.

Ruprecht M. (2023, March 28).1 in 12 kids lose a parent or sibling before turning 18: Report. ABC News. Retrieved April 23, 2024, from

Gender and Sexuality Identity

erosehamilton24 — 2024-04-30 13:52:09 UTC

In the article Gender ID, sexual orientation can be talked about in Florida classrooms after lawsuit settlement by CBS News readers learn about the recent lawsuit which clarifies the law which banned instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades. The article shares that LGBTQ+ teachers were unsure if they could even show pictures of their spouses or speak about their marriages to their class. The settlement did not get rid of the law but it did clarify that teachers are allowed to discuss LGBTQ+ people. As a future educator with a philosophy that we should be teaching diversity and critical literacy as well as creating a space where every student is welcomed and celebrated for who they are, I am appalled that the previous version of the law was even in place. Gender and sexual orientation already consume our education system in many ways. It is incredibly hypocritical to ban the conversations about gender and sexual orientation that don't conform to traditional American values.

(2024, March 11). Gender ID, sexual orientation can be talked about in Florida classrooms after lawsuit settlement. CBS News. Retrieved April 23, 2024, from

Trauma

erosehamilton24 — 2024-04-30 13:52:17 UTC

In the article 25 years after Columbine, trauma shadows survivors of the school shooting by ABC News talks about the experiences of Columbine High School shooting survivors. The stories the survivors share uncover years of trauma and PTSD that impact them on a daily basis. The article also shows research about the long term effects of gun violence which result in absenteeism, reduced college enrollment, and lower earnings. The survivors created a support group for each other called the Rebels Project. The survivors also noted that it was hard to see themselves as survivors since they were not physically injured. As someone who plans to work in a public school, the threat of a school shooting is a real. It is important when teaching health to teach about mental health and get students the support they need. As a teacher it is important to know about this so that you can be prepared for the worst.

Slevin C. (2024, April 17).25 years after Columbine, trauma shadows survivors of the school shooting. ABC News. Retrieved April 23, 2024, from