The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1454364
YOUTH FIRST TODAY Anxious kids in the age of COVID-19 By Kelly McClarnon Youth First, Inc. When I started as a first year school so- cial worker with years of experience in a clinical setting, I was surprised by how many kids were coming to my office with symptoms of anxiety. Manifestations of anxiety can take on many forms. In addition to some chil- dren having physical symptoms that can't be attributed to a virus or illness, anx- iety may also involve kids thinking up- setting thoughts and conjuring up wild "what ifs." To make matters worse, I've met with several children who have lost a loved one due to COVID-19. Grief adds to the complexity of understanding the world around them. Here are a few things both parents and school staff can utilize when faced with a student who is struggling with anxious thoughts. 1. Try belly breathing. Ask the stu- dent to place a hand on their chest and a hand on their belly. Tell them to ex- pand their belly in- stead of their chest with each inhale. This teaches them how to take deep breaths which can physi- ological- ly calm the mind and body. 2. Use mindfulness techniques. This can look like praying with the child or asking them to name things they are thankful for (it's hard to be worried when they can articulate their bless- ings). Ask them to clear their mind and just picture a blank space for as long as they are able. 3. Help them put their worries into perspective. Sometimes just stating what their worries are out loud and having a supportive person help them put things into perspective can pro- vide reassurance. 4. Have open conversations. Let them know their concerns are val- id and that you understand why they may be worried. Reassure them that it's ok to talk about their worries. We do not want children to feel anxious about feeling anxious. 5. Name their worries. One term that I've often heard used is "the worry monster." Explain that this is a bully in our mind who is responsible for mak- ing them (and everyone else) think worrisome thoughts. When those thoughts come up, tell them to tell the worry monster to go away! 6. Make a list of coping activities. Lis- tening to music, journaling, reading, physical activity, and getting outside are all great outlets that can help stu- dents minimize anxious thoughts. 7. Model and teach healthy behav- iors. Children need to see their care- givers modeling healthy ways of man- aging worries and stress. They will learn from your example. For the children I see, there are so ma- ny unknowns. Will school close again? Will I be cut off from family/friends? Will another important event be cancelled? Will I get sick? Will my loved ones get sick? Children are still often isolated with events being cancelled, quarantines, and some in-person activities taking place virtually. All these factors contribute to the increase in anxiety that mental health professionals are seeing. This is not an argument for or against the restrictions put in place due to COVID-19, but an effort to raise aware- ness that the changes in our everyday lives are impacting our children's men- tal health. Teaching children how to manage anxiety so it doesn't spi- ral out of control is an important part of nur- turing a child. Hope- fully the strat- egies above can help the next time you have a child strug- gling with anxiety. Kelly McClarnon, LCSW, is a Youth First So- cial Worker at Evansville Christian School in Warrick County. Youth First, Inc. is a nonprofit dedicated to strength- ening youth and families. Youth First provides 78 Master's level social workers to 107 schools in 13 Indiana counties. Over 60,000 youth and families per year are served by Youth First's school so- cial work and after school pro- grams that prevent substance abuse, promote healthy behaviors, and maximize student success. To learn more about Youth First, vis- it youthfirstinc.org or call 812-421- 8336. The Press-Dispatch Wednesday, Feburar y 23, 2022 C-1 HOME LIFE TO ADVERTISE: Call: 812-354-8500 Email: ads@pressdispatch.net Visit: 820 E. Poplar Street, Petersburg Deadline: 5 p.m. on Monday Eddie Boyd, Principal Broker Kay Helfen Associate Broker 812-582-1145 Addey Boyd Associate Broker 812-354-5599 Keith Shoultz Associate Broker 812-664-6640 Adam Boyd Associate Broker 812-582-2486 602 E. Main, Petersburg | www.BoydRealtyCo.com | Phone: 812-354-8893 SIAR REALTY & DEVELOPMENT LLC BOYD For personal service, chse Looking to get out of renting? The property features a 3 bedroom, 1 full bath, yard barn, and garage for storage. The many updates include vinyl siding, flooring, windows, roof, gutters, air conditioning system. A lean-to style covered back porch great for grilling and entertaining. Large driveway to park a boat or to accommodate a growing family. The home sits on a permanent foundation. Sale Price $65,000. MLS#202201147 Collins St. Storage Units $60/MONTH 812-354-8893 Tried of paying rent? It is hard to find this type of home in this price range that has 3 to 4 bedrooms. Walk-in closet. This could be a great home for a family or for an investor that wants a rental property. Sale Price $89,900. MLS#202151808a SALE PENDING! Very well taken care of 2 bedroom 1-1/2 full bath home. This home has a tremendous amount of updates throughout the years. It is ready for its new owners. Some of the updates include a new roof (2020), hot water heater 2018, central air in 2014 and new windows in 2007. The large back deck and fenced-in yard make it ideal for entertaining, keeping kids and pets safe. Sale Price $109,900. MLS#202149946 NEW LISTING! Looking for a place to build? Many possible building sites. Very nice 7 acre lot. At the beginning the lot is nice and flat. Great spot to put a house very close to the utilities coming in from the road. Lets move down the line and the property gently slopes down into a valley. Also another site with potential of walkout basement with the slope. As you cross the valley the area opens up to a very open lot. As we go up the sloping hill this would be the most scenic spot and secluded building spot. With views of the woods in the back and a nice elevated view of the lake. Sale Price $91,390 MLS# 202203870 NEW LISTING! Are you outgrowing your current church? Christian Holiness Church took up residency in 2004. This property has two teaching rooms located in the back of the building. The two bathrooms are located at the entrance of the building. The property has a lot of possibilities. Just over 2000 sq. ft. of area on the main building. It could be converted into a rental or residential home. The price is right for this conversion. Sale Price $49,900. MLS#202201251 This multi-house property is set up and ready for you to enjoy. The first house features a 3 bedroom, 1 bath with custom rock tile shower with two shower heads. The second house features a 1 bedroom, 1 bath with custom tile shower. Both have tile work throughout the bathroom floors. Relax and recharge with views of the White River. The outdoor kitchen and gazebo make this perfect for entertaining. Currently set up as a high end summer camp that can easily be converted to a long term stay. Looking to get into the short term rental game this would be a great property for VRBO or Airbnb. Sale Price $159,000. MLS# 202137183 SALE PENDING! 2/23/22 PRICE REDUCED TO $72,000 Commercial building built in 1987 and was used as a retail hardware store until 2018. Approximately 4,448 sq. ft. The building is all open and has free span trusses that make the area open to any kind of use. Open fenced area in rear, with a 24'x86' open three-sided storage building. The main building had a new roof installed in 2016, along with new gutter and new metal siding on the east and west gable ends. Price Reduced to $72,000! MLS# 202046722 REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS Terry L. Brown and Rebecca K. Brown convey to Ruth Joseph Melhiser, real estate as recorded in Pike County. Aron D. Oneal, Aron D. O'Neal, Angela S. Oneal and An- gela S. O'Neal quitclaim to Aron D. Oneal and Angela S. Oneal, real estate as recorded in Pike County. Douglas Edward Crooks and Mary Katherine convey to Michael J. Martin and Gina M. Davies, real estate as re- corded in Pike County. Tracey Powers, Terry Paul Coleman and Denise Head convey to Bradley Lamey, real estate as recorded in Pike County. Bradley Lamey conveys to Lamey Family Farms LLC, real estate as recorded in Pike County. Russell L. Hill conveys to Bryan Louis Luster and Aman- da Lee Luster, real estate as recorded in Pike County. Gary A. Pepper, Mark J. Pepper and Dennis J. Pepper quitclaim to Gary A. Pepper, Mark J. Pepper, Dennis J. Pep- per, Adam J. Pepper, Sarah J. Pepper, Kelly M. Pepper and Abby L. Nielsen, real estate as recorded in Pike County. Stefan Zon Risley conveys to Stefan Zon Risley and Lo- rena Guadalupe Risley, real estate as recorded in Pike County. Linda Sendelweck quitclaims to Sarah Alexander, Steve Sendelweck, and The Linda Sendelweck Irrevocable Trust, real estate as recorded in Pike County. Indyre LLC quitclaims to Town of Winslow, real estate as recorded in Pike County. Auditor of Pike County, Pike County Auditor and Foutch Oil and Gas Inc. convey to Savvy In LLC, real estate as re- corded in Pike County. Auditor of Pike County, Pike County Auditor and Patri- cia Ann Rothrock convey to Savvy In LLC, real estate as recorded in Pike County. Auditor of Pike County, Pike County Auditor and Patri- cia Ann Rothrock convey to Savvy In LLC, real estate as recorded in Pike County. Auditor of Pike County, Pike County Auditor, Sally Moya Rich and Sally Moya-Rich, convey to William E. Groome, real estate as recorded in Pike County. Auditor of Pike County, Pike County Auditor and Ruth S. Hammond, convey to William E. Groome, real estate as recorded in Pike County. Auditor of Pike County, Pike County Auditor and An- schutz Corp Royalty Pool convey to William E. Groome, real estate as recorded in Pike County. Boneda M. Williams, Charles D. Williams, Auditor of Pike County and Pike County Auditor convey to William E. Groome, real estate as recorded in Pike County. Carlton West Oil Company LLC, Auditor of Pike Coun- ty and Pike County Auditor convey to William E. Groome, real estate as recorded in Pike County.