OAKES, N.D. (Valley News Live) – Anonymously written questions are helping turn some of Oakes\u2019 silent struggles into spoken conversations about teen mental health.<\/p>\n
Oakes Public Schools recently hosted a \u201cBeHEARD\u201d session \u2014 an in-person crash course built from BeHEARD for educators, an online program that explores behavioral health concerns in youth ages 10 to 17.<\/p>\n
The training is offered through Sanford Health and made possible by First International Bank & Trust.<\/p>\n
The course, typically taken virtually, is designed so schools of any size can participate. It gives teachers and staff basic tools to recognize, respond to and support students dealing with stress, anxiety and other behavioral health challenges.<\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes, as adults, we don\u2019t really know what to say or we\u2019re afraid to say the wrong thing, so we don\u2019t really know how to help,\u201d said Rich Preussler, Director of Learning and Development at Sanford Health.<\/p>\n
In Oakes, a mental health expert walked junior and senior high students through how the brain works while responding to stress before reading a stack of anonymous questions submitted by the teens. <\/p>\n
The questions often centered on school and sports-related stress and anxiety.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s something that doesn\u2019t get talked about a lot in the same capacity,\u201d said Jordyn Lynch, Principal of Oakes schools. \u201cIt\u2019s just a topic that hits home with everyone at some point in their life.\u201d<\/p>\n
The session focused on offering practical coping strategies that students can use when they feel overwhelmed.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s something that gets brought up and something they have to deal with over and over again, but who\u2019s really giving those helpful strategies to get them through what they need to get through… it\u2019s great to have partnerships like these,\u201d Lynch said.<\/p>\n
Along with breathing exercises and other de\u2011stressing techniques, students were given information about additional resources and where they can turn if they need follow-up help.<\/p>\n
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