PAGE B8, KEIZERTIMES, MARCH 19, 2021
TALK,
Continued from page B1
to feel comfortable. Many Celts are at
home alone with a Chromebook and that
eliminates many of the social opportu-
nities that they not only had but really
needed.
Curran: Hands down, isolation and
lack of face-to-face contact outside of
households, followed closely by fam-
ily and academic stressors. In middle
school, kids are super social, and miss-
ing that interaction has been a huge loss
for them. Adjusting is very similar to the
grief cycle. When negative things happen
over a shorter duration, it is easier to be
resilient and bounce back. Unfortunately,
the (long) the duration can impact even
the strongest kids and lead to apathy and
lack of motivation, and over time can
sometimes lead to depression.
Eveleth: For many students, school
provides a safe place with hot food, car-
ing adults, structure and routine when
those things are not available at home.
Not having this safe haven has been the
hardest aspect many kids have had to
endure over the last year. Loneliness and
disconnection from peers has also been a
major concern among parents, students
and staff.
What have your conversations with
kids been like over the last year?
Bobeda: Some students are naturally
verbal so that communication style has
worked great but most of my commu-
nication has been over email. Students
reach out to us and we offer to call but (I)
have had some really great conversations
through written language. If a student is
in crisis, we always call, and those have
been not only enriching but I have felt
that the weight of isolation lift as the con-
versation starts and it has been a breath
of fresh air for both us and our students.
McNary has an incredible team that has
conducted hundreds of home visits and
it has made a tremendous
impact on our community.
That face-to-face interac-
tion is invaluable and has
changed the course of the
year for many.
Curran: Conversations
have been both positive
and heartbreaking, but defi-
nitely not the same over the
phone or on Zoom call as in
person. Body language is
70% of communication and
it is much harder to have a
deep conversation and
build trust when not
face to face, especially
with students new to the
Counselor, FOREST RIDGE ELEMENTARY
school, or a sixth grader
that I have never met in
person. Conversations
vary, depending on the cir-
2 classes this year and talked with all the
cumstance. Sometimes, it’s dealing with students about this exact topic. I encour-
frustrations and giving encouragement. age each student to figure out what fills
Other times it’s about loss or anger and their batteries up and then go do it. The
trying to help a student process. We talk important thing to remember is that each
about not being in this alone, looking person is different and what fills your
forward, and giving grace to others and batteries one week may change so we
ourselves. I also try to remind students discuss multiple ways of finding fulfill-
that school is not just about classes and ment during such a difficult time. I think
grades. We are also learning life skills it is important to remember that every
like problem solving, organization, time person must discover their own place of
management and, especially, resiliency. peace and fulfillment.
One of the biggest lessons a person can
Curran: Have a routine each day to
learn is: It’s not what happens to you, but establish a sense of consistency and bal-
how you respond to it. All the power and ance. Getting up, showering, putting on
control is in your response.
school clothes, eating breakfast and hav-
Eveleth: My conversations with kids ing an established study area will help.
over the last year have been amazing! Take breaks from time to time and try to
I have been invited into their homes get outside when you can. Stay in touch
through Zoom and been able to meet with friends and family. Have outlets for
their pets, see their favorite toys and times of stress: people to talk to, exercise,
get to know them on a deeper level. journaling, art, pets, reading, or whatever
Unfortunately, our most vulnerable stu- helps you relax and feel better. Making
dents are often the most difficult to reach plans and having things to look forward
via Zoom or phone calls. I fear that many to is also important. Be okay asking for
of their concerns have gone unheard.
help. This has been hard for everyone
What are some of the best things kids and you are not alone and we will get
can do for their mental health during through this together. Remember E+R=O.
this time?
The Event plus your Response equals
Bobeda: I have visited all the Wellness the Outcome. The power is all in your
Unfortunately, our most
vulnerable students are
often the most difficult to
reach via Zoom or phone
calls. I fear that many
of their concerns have
gone unheard.
— ASHLEY EVELETH
response.
Eveleth: Some of the best
things kids can do for their mental
health are get good sleep, exercise
and nutritious food. Unless our
basic needs are met we will not
be much use in the other areas of
our lives. Journaling and getting
outside more often are helpful for
many. Beyond these basics, seek-
ing professional help for ongoing
or acute mental health challenges
is incredibly important. School
counselors can help connect fam-
ilies with mental health resources.
Do you think a return to in-per-
son learning will improve the
mental health of students?
Bobeda: Absolutely! I can’t
wait! I have not met many students
that can’t wait either. I think soci-
ety operates together for a reason
and I think returning to school will be
incredible. I can’t wait to see my students
again and I believe they can’t wait to be
back as well.
Curran: For the majority of kids,
absolutely. Seeing and having contact
with people face-to-face and engaging
in activities outside of their homes will
make a big difference to not only stu-
dents mental health, but also teachers
and families. I also think it is important
to point out that there are some students
that have actually benefited from online
learning and have made major improve-
ments academically. Everyone will
benefit with more opportunities for inter-
action, but some families may choose to
continue with online learning. Either way
as we continue to move forward, it will be
extremely nice to get to a place where we
have choices.
Eveleth: I believe it is incredibly diffi-
cult to balance the life and death conse-
quences of COVID-19 and acute mental
health crisis. When students are in the
building educators have a much better
chance of detecting and reporting major
issues like suicidality and abuse. We can
provide resources and supports more
effectively when we have eyes on kids.