May 20, 2020 – As Mental Health Awareness Month continues and I reflect on how we can live our best lives, I am drawn to the topic of substance abuse. No, I don’t’ have any “just say no” or “this is your brain on drugs” messages. I am interested in starting a larger dialogue about why some of us may turn to […]
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May 18, 2020 – As classrooms have become virtual, so too have many of the programs designed to keep students productive and emotionally well. This includes the Calm Classroom program. Used in at least 40 district schools, Calm Classroom is a mental wellness initiative that promotes social-emotional learning in students using relaxation and mindfulness […]
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May 14, 2020 – Maintaining strong, personal connections is vital for students in recovery from substance abuse addictions and mental health issues. But in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, maintaining those face-to-face connections becomes challenging. It’s why River Oak Center – a school in a public-private relationship with Duval County Public Schools – is […]
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May 11, 2020 –Not getting enough rest is a major culprit causing low energy or moodiness. Studies show that people limited to four to five hours of sleep experienced anger, sadness, and stress, which were all significantly reduced when they returned to the recommended seven to nine hours. If you’re thinking, “That’s not me! I go […]
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May 8, 2020 – Lace up your sneakers and let’s get physical! Knowing that strong bodies lead to strong minds, Team Duval is encouraging students and families to participate in a month full of physical activity starting with today’s National Field Day. An annual initiative designed to get students moving, National Field Day normally […]
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May 4, 2020 — It’s about health. It’s about wholeness and wellness. It’s about breaking barriers. And it’s about overcoming stigma! For Katrina Taylor, this is what makes Mental Health Awareness Month so powerful. This will be Taylor’s fifth year leading the district’s celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month. Unlike past years, all activities will […]
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May 4, 2020 –During May, we’re celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month by focusing our Duval Dialogue on topics that promote ways we can be healthy, strong and vibrant in all areas of our life. For example, fitness and nutrition may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about mental health. But eating […]
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April 28, 2020 – Last week we covered how to follow the advice of Katrina Taylor, Director of Schools Behavioral Health, when it comes to staying socially connected. But in addition to the quality time we spend with others, we should also invest in quality time with ourselves. I spent two years in a mission community […]
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April 20, 2020 – Earlier this month, we learned from Katrina Taylor – Director of Schools Behavioral Health – that combating this pandemic is more than just an external fight. It is internal as well. The same care and vigilance we take with social distancing, and using gloves and masks to protect our bodies, we […]
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April 17, 2020- It’s School Therapist, Yolla Bailey’s job to counsel students on a daily basis. Bailey says going through this season of challenges with the Coronavirus is a different experience, but now students are opening up more. “Especially with everything going on, they’re at home, they can’t go out, they can’t see their friends, […]
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