Page 6 - Healthcare News August 2021

OPINION
How to Address Your Children’s Back-to-school Anxieties
BY SARA KENDALL
s we enter the 18th month of the pandemic, with a new school year starting, many parents are concerned about how their children are doing in facing the return to school this fall. Is it increasing children’s anxieties and fears? How
can that be determined? And what steps should parents take if they feel there might be problems beyond the normal back-to-school jitters?
The first thing to realize is that the looming start of school is affecting children differ- ently. Some are eager to get back to school. They want to get back together with friends, enjoy the routine, or welcome the stability of the school environment. Others may have begun to feel more secure at home, a feeling that, for some, was increased by the uncer- tainties around school schedules last year and the ongoing unpredictability of a pandemic that does not seem to end.
Open communication is the best way for parents to assess how their children are doing. While parents should not try to be mental-health workers, real — and frequent — conver- sations with children and adolescents can help allay fears, correct misunderstandings, and indicate if there are issues which might require outside help.
“While parents should not try to be mental- health workers, real — and frequent
— conversations with children and adolescents can help allay fears, correct misunderstandings, and indicate if there are issues which might require outside help.”
Parents should remember that some nervousness is natural with the start of a school year and in the face of the changing news about the virus. That said, if children or adoles- cents exhibit high levels of stress over time, or complain of headaches, bellyaches, or other symptoms without any apparent cause, parents should take note.
What should parents do if anxieties are not effectively addressed through parental con- versation? Often, the best next step is a visit to the family doctor or pediatrician. Children often find these settings safe places to open up.
If parents want to talk with a professional mental-health counselor who is trained, li- censed, and ready to listen, there are many options, including the comprehensive range of services offered through MHA’s BestLife Emotional Health and Wellness Center at (844) MHA-WELL.
Parents can also find many online resources to help them make the best decisions for their children. One of these resources, the Handhold website at handholdma.org, was recently created by the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health to help parents look after the mental well-being of their children.
In addition to all those notebooks, pens, pencils, and other back-to-school supplies, let’s remember to include healthy conversations about how our children are feeling emotion- ally. v
Sara Kendall, MSW, LICSW is vice president of clinical operations at MHA.
Time to Check Back in with
YAour Doctors By DONALD LLOYD-JONES, M.D.
s COVID-19 vaccinations become more widespread, people who have put off seeing a doctor during the pandemic are now signifi- cantly more likely to seek care. So now is a good time to check in
with your doctors to take stock of your overall health, along with any chronic conditions you may have, like high blood pressure or diabetes.
There were many patients who were hesitant to come anywhere near the hospital, clinic, or doctor’s office for some time. I certainly encourage pa- tients to come in to make sure we’re addressing all their health issues.
Recently, only 19% of U.S. adults reported delaying or not getting medical care in the prior four weeks because of the pandemic, according to the CDC’s latest Household Pulse Survey conducted between June 23 and July 5. That’s a marked decline from 45% of respondents reporting pandemic-related de- lays in the same period last year. As people return to in-person medical visits, here are a few tips:
• Leave the shame at home. Many people experienced a COVID backslide with their health status. Stress took a toll on all of us, and our lives and rou- tines were turned upside down. There’s nothing to be ashamed of here. The key is, let’s move forward together.
• Track your body metrics. Leading up to your appointment, start mea- suring and documenting your daily weight, blood pressure (if you have a home blood-pressure machine), blood-sugar levels (for those with diabetes), etc. Even if it’s been a while since you’ve tracked your body metrics, provid- ing recent measurements will help your doctor determine if there have been significant changes.
• Bring a list of questions. Writing down your questions in advance on ev- erything from COVID-19 vaccination and preventing a stroke to that health tip your neighbor gave you will help make the most of your time together with your healthcare professional. There’s no such thing as an embarrassing or bad question at your doctor’s office.
• Make an action plan with your doctor. Doctors are here to help. To- gether, patients and their healthcare providers can discuss how to get to a healthier place and make a plan for how to get there.
• Set realistic goals. We’ve spent the last 17 months managing the stress of the pandemic. Incorporating new, healthy habits — or reinstating pre- pandemic ones — isn’t going to happen overnight. Keep in mind that small, consistent habits can add up to big changes over time.
• Pay close attention to any symptom changes. If you’ve experienced any new symptoms — physically or mentally — don’t wait to see your doctor. New chest-pain symptoms in particular are always a red flag. That’s some- thing we want to know about and see you about ASAP.
I also emphasize that, if your medications don’t seem to be working as well or you can’t afford them, call your doctor right away and let them know what’s going on so they can help you. Our goal, like yours, is to make sure you’re get- ting the care you need to live your longest, healthiest life possible. v
Dr. Donald Lloyd-Jones, professor of Preventive Medicine, Medicine and Pediatrics and chair of Preventive Medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, became presi- dent of the American Heart Assoc. in July.
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