Social-Emotional Learning: At-Home Connection

Hello Richfield Families!

We have loved seeing more student faces over the past week—there is nothing like it! Talking to students in person, we are hearing a common theme: stress. This school year continues to be stressful for our students. While we know this, when we see students and they TELL us this, we know that this school year continues to be a year unlike any other. The world around us keeps adding stress in the lives of our students who have already had to be so resilient this school year.

Last week, our students were reminded in AIR Pods that there are so many people at RHS who are here just to provide support. We went over who our counselors are, who our social workers are, where to find us and how to reach us. We acknowledged how hard this has all been and we praised them for their strength. We reminded them that asking for help is a sign of strength.

As caregivers, you know our RHS students better than anyone. We want to give a reminder to you all regarding when to seek our mental health support for your teenager. We know there is no clear answer to this. However, the thoughts below can be helpful for guidance. We are always here to assess and talk through any concerns, any time. 

Remember, if your student ASKS for mental health support, respond and reach out. Listen, support and help them seek resources. We know that if/when they ask, they need it. Here are some additional signs:

• Excessive sleep concerns: We know the pandemic has changed our sleeping habits. Concerns occur when an inability to get out of bed for our teen prevents any class attendance, productivity, or results in job loss. Avoidance of daily tasks due to sleep is a sign of concern.
• Expression of feelings of worthlessness and constant questioning of self-worth.
• New unexplained body aches or pains not due to medical illness: stress can and does show itself physically.
• Extreme withdrawal from family and friends (in the pandemic, this has become common). Even when students cannot physically see each other, they should still have an interest in calls, texts, social media and/or video games that allow socialization.
• Excessive crying: Tearfulness during times of stress is normal; excessive crying and daily tears is a reason for concern.
• Thoughts of suicide: Immediate help needed, should not be seen as a normal pandemic response!
• Consistent irritability, anger and frustration. 
• Increase in anxiety and/or panic attacks.
• Major changes in appetite: While the pandemic has changed family patterns in eating, individual teenagers should not have their own extreme appetite changes.

Again, we know it is hard to separate what is a “new normal” in these times and what is something to see as a concern. We can talk you through that as needed and get students connected when it makes sense.  Reach out as needed or if you want to talk through anything on here that has resonated with what you are seeing in the home. We know you are all working hard to support your children during this ongoing challenging time!

Please reach out anytime- Your RHS School Social Workers,

Marisa Zimmerman and Jill Carlton