Back to School
Depression in the Class
Asthma
continued from page 5
T
he recent string of school shootings
has inspired school administrators
to start taking a closer look at men-
tal illness and the dangers it causes when
left unchecked. Mental illness is not static;
it progresses with time. We live in an inter-
connected world; consequently, we do not
have the luxury to look at mental illness
within a vacuum or as being a personal
issue. Instead, the way that mental illness
affects communities must be addressed.
Colleges are especially important to look
at since most mental disorders manifest
themselves during this stressful period of
time. One of the most common ailments
that affects the college population is
depression. Depression differs from the
typical one to two days blues and instead
stretches for weeks and even years of
time.
“30 percent of college students reported
feeling ‘so depressed that it was difficult
to function,’’ according to a study by the
National Institute of Mental Health. The
C OLUMNIST
Jeremy
Bamidele
somewhere down the line.
The fact that depression is common
amongst college students seems paradoxi-
cal when looking at depression as an
illness that derives from sadness due to
social triggers such as loneliness, after all
colleges are filled with peers. However,
the paradox is actually a result of the mis-
interpretation of the nature of depression.
While mental health problems are often
triggered by external factors, their persist-
ence comes from a change in brain
activity. This change in brain activity per-
sists even when the external factors that
One of the most common ailments that
affects the college population is depression
American Freshman: National Norms sur-
vey of over 200,000 college students
indicates that mental health in colleges is
at its lowest point since the organization
began obtaining data over 25 years ago.
This is especially troubling because the
long term consequences of early onset
depression are more severe than those of
late-onset depression. Early onset depres-
sion can halt developmental changes from
occurring leading to underdevelopment in
all areas of life. Over fifty percent of
those who suffer one lapse of depression
will suffer another one and the chances of
developing chronic depression increases
with each episode. Early onset depression
is a predictor of other potentially more
serious mental disorders developing
triggered the depression are removed.
While predispositions to depression are
often genetic there are ways to prevent the
likelihood of developing depression and
the slew of mental disorders that can result
from it. One is the maintenance of one’s
overall health through diet and regular
exercise. Exposure to sunlight can also
help ward off depression. Depression
rates are highest in countries with shorter
sunlight hours. Many depressive states
actually come from magnesium deficien-
cy. A diet high in magnesium is not only
shown to prevent the onset of depression
but actually reverse its effects once it has
begun. Avoiding stressful situations is one
of the best ways to prevent the onset of
depression and other mental disorders.
• Discuss your child’s asthma triggers and
steps to reduce them in the classroom.
• Ask about the school’s asthma emer-
gency plan, and if coaches, teachers and
staff are trained in how to recognize
asthma symptoms and respond to a
breathing emergency. All 50 states and
the District of Columbia allow children
to self-carry and use their asthma
inhalers while at school. Asthma can be
fatal and you never know when asthma
symptoms may occur. Discuss the poli-
cies and practices to ensure immediate
access to your child’s asthma medication
while at school.
Step 3 - Schedule an Asthma
Check-up
Each school year should begin with a
visit to your child’s healthcare provider for
an asthma check-up. It’s a good time to
make sure your child is on the right
amount of medicine for their asthma, to
fill out any forms required by the school
and to create an asthma management plan.
• It’s important that your child has an
updated asthma action plan on file at
school and one at home and has been
trained to use the prescribed medicines
and devices. Visit how to make your
medical visits more satisfying to find
helpful hints on how to talk to your
child’s healthcare provider.
• If your child uses a spacer or valved-
holding chamber or a peak flow meter,
ask your healthcare provider for a pre-
scription for two; one can be kept at
home and one at school. A peak flow
meter at school will help the school nurse
assess your child’s asthma symptoms.
• Asthma medicine only works if it is
taken correctly. Your healthcare provider
can teach your child the correct way to
hold and inhale the medicine. Visit
www.lung.org/asthmameds to watch
how-to videos for using inhalers.
• Staying active is especially important in
kids with asthma. Discuss the types of
physical activity and sports your child
wants to play and the steps to take to
avoid symptoms while exercising. Fol-
low these steps to help your child stay
active with asthma.
Step 4 - Develop an Asthma
Action Plan
An asthma action plan is a written work-
sheet created by your healthcare provider
and tailored to your child’s needs.
• The plan includes a list of your child’s
asthma triggers and symptoms, the
names of their medicines and how much
medicine to take when needed. The plan
also explains the steps to manage an
asthma episode and a breathing emer-
gency.
• An asthma action plan should always be
on file in the school nurse’s office and
easily accessible to anyone who may
need to help your child use his or her
inhaler.
• Make sure teachers, coaches, after-
school care providers and even school
bus drivers have a copy.
• Keep a copy for yourself to help manage
your child’s asthma symptoms when at
home.
Step 5 – Get a Flu Shot
On average, 1 out of 5 Americans suffer
from influenza (flu) every year. Respirato-
ry infections such as the flu are one of the
most common asthma triggers.
• Remember, the flu shot is safe for peo-
ple with asthma.
• The best way to protect your family
from the flu is for everyone over the age
of 6 months to get vaccinated.
Have Questions? The American Lung
Association’s HelpLine is staffed by Reg-
istered Respiratory Therapists and
Registered Nurses who are ready to
answer questions regarding asthma, lung
health, and provide resources to help
smokers quit. Call 1-800-LungUSA (1-
800-586-4872).
Ella’s Kitchen
formerly Soup & Soap
SOUL
FOOD
...one taste will bring you back.
BREAKFAST • LUNCH SPECIALS
DINNER • SEAFOOD • DESSERT
“Finally!! I found a great cozy
soul food spot in Portland”
“Something about Ella’s catfish is magical”
“The mac and cheese was real mac and cheese
like momma used to (or should’ve made)”
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK, 9 AM - 6 PM
3505 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR
503-927-6708
add 25¢ for each to go meal
Can’t wait to share
your news?
Email press releases to
info@theskanner.com
August 13, 2014 The Portland and Seattle Skanner Page 7