The 2020 SBHC Annual Update & Survey is due TOMORROW (10/2/20).

This helps us to keep the information in the NM SBHC Directory and Map updated. The survey serves as an essential tool for SBHC information shared with legislators, state agencies, community members and funders across New Mexico.  Please make sure your SBHC is represented.

In October, we feature Atrisco Heritage SBHC.

It is time to start preparing for the 2021 SBHC calendar.

Read more about their call to action at the following link and read below for some of what they say about SBHCs: https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2020/09/15/america-put-up-or-shut-up-1-trillion-investment-help-kids-poverty/

"Keep kids safe and healthy: All students deserve access to primary, behavioral, oral and vision care. Of our nation’s 100,000 schools, pre-pandemic, fewer than 3,000 have school-based health centers. These centers have proven to reduce parent time away from work and to improve students’ academic performance. Now, more than ever, vaccinations, medicine management, wellness checkups and emotional support should be available to all students. And the pandemic’s disparate impact points to the need to train more people of color as school health professionals."

Additionally, please make a plan for completion of your School Collaboration surveys, which are an OSAH contract deliverable this year. The link is: https://evaluation-sbhc-school-collaboration.questionpro.com. For answers to questions or to request a copy of the guidelines for administration, please reach out to Jamie Duvall at Apex: j.duvall@apexeval.org.

On September 29th, HSD Secretary David Scrase, M.D. presented an webinar with updated information about the state of the pandemic and public health gating criteria. He was joined by Behavioral Health Support Division Director, Neil Bowen, M.D. who shared data about the impact of the pandemic on behavioral health. Of particular concern for SBHCs will be the decrease in preventive care for children since the school closures, including immunizations, well child visits, and oral health screenings. Additionally, the behavioral health impacts are described (see CDC infographic below) and the value of telehealth is addressed. The presentation can be viewed and downloaded at: https://www.hsd.state.nm.us/uploads/PressRelease/2f473c14ee654f868b5a25b3cfd15a6d/FINALPress_Update_NMCOVID19_Day_2032020_09_29.pdf

Please reach out to NMASBHC if you need assistance in navigating the new landscape, and visit the NM Medicaid portal (https://nmmedicaid.portal.conduent.com/static/covid.htm) for special and regularly updated policy direction related to the pandemic.

"Q-Tips for Teachers: Nuts & Bolts for Supporting Queer Students!"

 This will be a multi-part series of various 1-hour trainings. Please see the flyer and links below to register for the first two sessions.

Creating Safe Spaces for LGBTQ Youth (10/13/20 @ 2:30 PM)-Secondary:  https://unm.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJItduGtqzsrGtcGCIqhn_vIcrXPGfX2kHET 

https://unm.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwrdeqqqjwoHNfftRu7XyUWKku-BoC1pOWC 

Mental Wellness Basics, a digital course developed by leading education technology provider, EVERFI, provides a population level approach to what is often viewed as an individual issue. Through a public health lens, Mental Wellness Basics provides students with opportunities to explore their own mental health and identify challenges that they may face. The course helps students develop concrete strategies for managing those challenges, while increasing their awareness of resources and empowering them with the knowledge, skills, and language necessary to identify and support a peer who may be struggling.

The Mental Wellness Basics course is designed to be integrated into existing lesson plans and curriculum for students in grades 8 – 10, or provided as an additional resource for support from your School Based Health Center.

Each year, during the first week of October, NAMI and participants across the country raise awareness of mental illness. Each year, they educate the public, fight stigma and provide support. And each year, the movement grows stronger. NAMI believes that mental health conditions are important to discuss year-round, but highlighting them during Mental Illness Awareness Week provides a dedicated time for mental health advocates across the country to come together as one unified voice. Since 1990, when Congress officially established the first full week of October as Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW), advocates have worked together to sponsor activities, large or small, to educate the public about mental illness

The theme of this year’s Mental Illness Awareness Week is, “What People with Mental Illness Want You to Know.” Information, resources and graphics to support Mental Illness Awareness Week can be downloaded at: https://www.nami.org/get-involved/awareness-events/mental-illness-awareness-week

NASN developed a series of Return to School Videos. You can use these as a tool to educate the school community either as they return to school or via virtual review in student advisory classes. Video topics available are:

All the videos are available in English and Spanish versions.

The Out of School Network Virtual Conference and Mission: Graduate have collaborated on a free pre-conference training, by Dr. Craig Pierce of Southwest Family Guidance Center and Institute. Trauma-informed practices are becoming increasingly important for children and families in central New Mexico, especially in the context of COVID-19.

This session is designed as an overview of trauma and its effects on children and families. For more information: https://missiongraduatenm.org/civicrm/event/info?id=605&reset=1

Contact Email: anne.tafoya@uwcnm.org