Fall 2022 NOAH

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North Omaha Area Health Fall 2022

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Special Edition

“In the community for the community”

We are a neighborhood clinic primarily serv- 6. Screening and vaccination for COVID-19 ing the North Omaha Neighborhood for the 7. Individualized Health Education. We help you plan how to care for yourself! last 20 years. Currently we have several services including We try and provide as much as we can so if • Public Health Program involving participayou have a question please ask. tion in community health fairs and public eduWe do not provide the following: cation through direct presentation and media Emergency Care. We are not a 24 hour on outlets. call provider. If you need assistance af• Breast Cancer Awareness through a partter hours, you may have to go to the ED. nership with My Sister’s Keeper However, if it can wait, we would gladly • Youth Outreach through the Summer Intern call you the next day we are open.

Program, year-round Youth Expression of Pain medication like opioids or stimulant Health (YEOH) programs and TOPS program medications for ADHD. We can work for young women. with you to find alternatives treatments.

• Mental Health Outreach and Support Legal evaluations for disability, workmen’s Groups through the SHIFT and Eat Well Live compensation or other such matters. We Well Programs will provide you care and will provide The NOAH Nurse Led Primary Care Clinic. copies of this information when you give You are seeking care at the NOAH Nurse us permission, but we do not specialize Led Primary Care Clinic. This is a patient cenin this service. tered clinic led by nurses. We tend to have If you become a patient: longer visits up to an hour for really complex 1. Tell us your goals and expectations so that problems. It is important for you to know what we can create treatment plan that will work for we do. We provide the following services you.

1. Testing and Treatment for Chlaymidia and 2. Keep your appointment or let us know if you Gonorrhea. We can test for other STI as they can not are appropriate. We use a symptom-based 3. Use the patient portal to send us questions treatment guideline and the RN or Medical or notes. We can help you set this up.

Provider will decide what test is appropriate.2. 4. Let us know if you cannot afford a medicaDiagnosis and treatment of common health tion. This can be embarrassing but we want to problems like high blood pressure, diabetes, work with you to make sure you care for yourobesity, depression, asthma, and COPD. While self. we will strive to care for all your physicalneeds, 5. Follow any goals you and the provider set we may not be able to provide every-thing a during the treatment plan as best you can. No typical clinic does. If we can’t we willrefer you one is perfect and many times we do not alto somewhere else. ways follow what is decided here so let us 3. Pre-exposure Prophylaxis which are medications given to partners of persons with HIV To make an appointment , or visit the clinic call to prevent the spread of HIV and Aids.

402-933-0737. All services are free but 4. Mental Health medication management. donation are appreciated.

5. Testing for HIV and Hepatitis C.

How Adults Can Help Improve the Mental Health of Black Youth

According to a 2020 study, Black teens may experience up to five instances of discrimination per day on average.

The global COVID-19 pandemic has both helped and hindered this statistic.

According to a Yale University research brief, teachers may keep a more watchful eye on Black students, even when the student is preschool age.

Research from 2015Trusted Source shows that interactions like Black youth are facing more mental health concerns than ever. this can lead to higher rates of depression.

As adults, it’s important to listen to them and direct them to Despite these findings, a 2016 study found that Black youth seek help. are still half as likely as their white counterparts to seek help Being young can be hard enough as is — grades, hormones, for their mental health. and life choices can impact the Moreover, when Black youth seek menmental health of tal health treatment, data shows that any child. their mental health concerns are often misdiagnosed.

The Adolescent Behaviors and ExA Rutgers University study suggests that periences Survey Black Americans who have severe deTrusted pression are more likely to be misdiagSource shows that nosed with schizophrenia. Anoth44% of teens reer study Trusted shows that Black youth port “persistent ranging in age from kindergarten to feelings of sadness eighth grade are more likely to be diagand hopelessness.” nosed with ADHD than other races.

Despite this, a 2013 review Both studies show that racial bias and a Trusted lack of cultural competency cause misdiagnoses.

Source noted that Black children in the United States are not School-to-prison pipeline as likely to be diagnosed with mental health conditions.

Also, Black teens with mental health conditions are less likely Discrimination that Black teens may face daily often comes in to seek treatment, though they’re more likely to experience bullying from peers, but sometimes it may come from either higher rates of depressive moods, according to a 2019 study. conscious or unconscious bias from adults.

While the state of Black youth and their mental health seem discouraging, there are ways you can help.

The Black youth mental health crisis In 2019, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) created an emergency task force to help address unclear data involving suicide in Black youth.

According to the CBC, data shows that the current generation of Black teens and children have higher rates of suicide than previous generations.

A 2018 report states that Black children are also more likely to be punished more harshly for the same behaviors as their white classmates. This perpetuates the school-to-prison pipeline or the instance that youth are more likely to be incarcerated after consistently experiencing harsh school punishments.

Why aren’t Black youth seeking treatment?

Although Black youth aren’t as likely to get mental health treatment as their non-Black peers, it’s not because they don’t And the 2021 Mental Health in American report states that this rate is increasing faster than any other ethnic group. How- need it. ever, historical data showed that Black youth died by suicide at According to a 2010 study Trusted Source, when 465 9th-grade low rates.

Black students were surveyed, half reported having mental health needs, but only 20% received treatment.

Though Black youth experience similar mental health challenges as their non-Black peers, the American Academy of Pediat- Many factors may contribute to Black youth seeking help less rics (AAP) named racism as one of the leading causes of the often than their peers. mental health concerns that Black youth face.

Cultural stigmas The CBC task force report notes that Black youth, especially Black boys, tend to seek mental health help as a last resort treatment, as they fear they may be ridiculed by their friends and loved ones.

The report states that Black youth may fear that their friends will tease them for having mental health concerns, and family will encourage them to keep their problems hidden from outsiders.

Distrust in healthcare systems The same report also states a cultural mistrust in healthcare systems that keeps Black youth from seeking help for their mental health.

The report calls for the need for culturally competent therapists and mental health professionals to better assist their patients who are in underrepresented groups.

A difference in expressing symptoms According to the CBC task force report, Black youth may not always vocalize their mental health concerns like their white peers do, leading to a lack of proper treatment.

In many cases, Black youth will express symptoms of depression by having behavioral or conduct issues. In other cases, Black youth may show somatic symptoms — or physical symptoms such as a stomachache.

Keep in mind Seeking help for your mental health is important. If you want to know more about therapy and how it can help you, you can check out Psych Central’s hub for finding mental health support.

How COVID-19 has affected the mental health of Black youth COVID-19 has added complex layers to the daily lives of individuals across the world.

The pandemic forced businesses and schools to close or operate virtually for an extended period of time. This allowed people — especially youth — to spend more time with their families.

But a 2021 study Trusted Source showed that some Black youth experienced negative emotions toward their social lives being impacted and the need to switch to virtual school environments amidst the pandemic. Black youth also expressed discomfort in leaving their homes and risking the potential of getting themselves or their loved ones sick.

Racial health disparities during COVID-19 In addition to the change in social environments that Black youth have been experiencing during the pandemic, they also encounter the added health disparities that many Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) experience.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source, inequities that may have contributed to increased rates of coronavirus infections in BIPOC communities included:  discrimination  inaccessibility to healthcare  gaps in education and wealth  housing inequities Also, research from 2022 shows that Indigenous, Pacific Islander, and Black Americans have the highest mortality rates for COVID-19. Black Americans account for 14.3% of COVID-19 deaths nationwide, although Black people account for only 12.9% of the population.

Mandates have been helpful Despite the change in social environments and the disproportionate rates at which BIPOC have been affected by COVID-19, some research suggests that stay-at-home mandates during the pandemic may have been helpful for some youth.

A 2021 study — though focused largely on Hispanic youth — showed evidence that better family functioning contributed to lower mental health symptoms in youth, especially for youth who experienced significant mental health challenges before the pandemic.

How can adults help?

Black children can encounter a high amount of mental stress, so it’s important to let them know they’re not alone and that someone is willing to step in and help them.

Talk with your children Try to speak with your children regularly, giving them a safe space to express themselves and validate their feelings and experiences. This will also give you time to watch for any signs of distress.

According to Mental Health America, some signs to look out

for that a child may be having mental health challenges can include:

• • • • • •

•

Do they have experience treating patients with your child’s cultural background?

• Have they had cultural competency training?

• How do they plan to include cultural aspects in therapy sessions and plans?

Are they familiar with your child’s language or dialect?

problems with concentration or memory appetite changes feelings of sadness, emptiness, or worthlessness extreme panic or worry What else can be done? restlessness or change in sleeping habits lost interest in hobbies or activities hearing or seeing things that others don’t or other new, repeti- Other resources and steps that you can try to help Black youth with mental health concerns include: tive behaviors For adults: Some behaviors may signal more serious mental health comMake sure children are screened for anxiety. According to plications, such as suicidal thoughts. These can include: the U.S. Preventative Service Task Force, children should now be screened for anxiety by a healthcare • obsession with the subject of professional as early as 8 years old. They death also recommend that children 12 years • increased use of drugs and alcoold and older be screened for depression. hol or other risky behaviors • little or no interest in the future • Offer support for grieving and mourndrastic changes in personality ing. A 2021 report showed that 1 in 500 children lost a parent to COVID-19. CouHave open conversations pled with the isolation that some children about seeking help may have felt from stay-at-home orders, it’s important to allow children a way to Having open conversations concerngrieve healthily. ing mental health and leaving room for your child to ask questions about how they’re feeling is crucial.

Look out for signs of mental health concerns in the classroom. Children spend a large portion of their lives in school. It Conversations could be about mental health itself, or they may may be helpful for teachers and other adults to monitor chilbe about factors that cause mental health challenges, such dren for signs of negative mental health symptoms and alert as racism. And try not to be afraid to ask your child the hard caregivers and a school counselor if possible and when necesquestions, such as if they’re having thoughts of suicide. sary.

When speaking with your child, try to be empathetic and reinforce that their feelings aren’t their fault and that there’s noth- For youth: ing wrong with experiencing negative mental health sympThe National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. You can toms. call Lifeline at 800-273-8255 for English or 888-628-9454 for Spanish, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Try to encourage seeking outside help and, if possiLet’s recap ble, destigmatize the idea of seeking therapy and treatment.

Seek culturally competent therapists If your child needs therapy, consider seeking a culturally competent therapist equipped to address their mental health concerns about their identity.

When looking for a culturally competent therapist, the National Alliance on Mental Illness recommends keeping these questions in mind:

•

Is this therapist familiar with your child’s culture, beliefs, and values? Are they willing to learn more about your child’s culture, beliefs, and values?

Ensuring Black youth are heard and properly helped when needed can help prevent them from carrying mental health concerns into adulthood. If you’re looking for more resources on how to help, you can check out Psych Central’s Mental Health Resources for People of color, or call NOAH free clinic and ask for the mental health outreach coordinator.

Parts of this article were originally published on PsychCentral.com. Parts of it reprinted and referenced here in NOAH magazine to inform our community on ways to help OUR youth.

Laughter is the best medicine, maybe?

“Mental Health for the Homies” written by Love KB (aka Kris Berry) our community Mental Health Outreach Coordinator The Present Day

Never in the present Thinking about what may be Is that bad?

Maybe Is my future what I want it to be?

It may be But I should be focused on the moment I need to make it my bitch I should own it Because it is the only thing that matters It will affect my future anyway So, I must take the time to be better every day So, I shouldn't take it for granted Not saying the moment is all I will have And sound pessimistic I’m just realistic Because what I do today Will affect tomorrow And I have the power to make my tomorrow a brighter day Only if I focus On the challenges Of the present day

Turn Your Fear into Power

Turn your fear into power Looking at the broken pieces Putting me back together will be far from easy but it's a must The greatest power we have is the power to change We just have to win the ongoing battle that's in our brain Positive self-talk tell yourself who you are until you become that Fuck the theory of who you could be make it a straight fact Let your spirit guide you and you, you just relax You just gotta trust, it doesn't matter into what The universe, God, use that unseen force It doesn't matter what you have faith in

You see the barriers that life shows you And you break them

You Are Not Your Thoughts

Pay attention to your thinking You must keep track of your daily thoughts, it's vital It might show, why you are manifesting a reality you don't want, don't front You can't run away my G There's nowhere to hide You're trapped deep inside But don't get scared Journal, write it down, be aware Take back control of your mind Thoughts can break us But you must realize They are not what make us

The Isolation

I was isolating myself from the world I realize I have to release me Stop being afraid and let people see me being trapped in the house can be a death sentence or like life in prison for sure I need some of that sunshine all on me It makes me feel whole Get out, get around people, laugh You'd be surprised what amazing feeling can come from a small chuckle One funny situation can have you using every stomach muscle Get out of your own way Experience the world and let it experience you When you get outside the box You'll be surprised All the amazing things That you can do

People are lining up to be vaccinated against COVID-19—and they’re looking forward to resuming a normal life. However, not everyone is on board with vaccination.

Though the number of vaccine hesitaters may be diminishing in the United States, it’s still relatively high compared to many other countries.

in general. Here is some of what the science says about approaching someone who is vaccine-hesitant.

1. Listen to their concerns—and empathize

While our first inclination to vaccine resistors may be to chastise them or come at them with an arsenal of facts, that’s likely Vaccine hesitaters are not a monolith, but a diverse group with many reasons for to be ineffective. Instead, we should first avoiding vaccination. Some are concerned listen to people’s concerns without judgthe COVID-19 vaccines aren’t safe or that ment, so we can better address their potential side effects aren’t worth the risk needs, says Heidi Larson, founding director of the Vaccine Confidence Project at the of taking them. Others think the risk of getting COVID themselves is low; so, why London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. bother? Still others have a resistance to government intervention and see taking the vaccine as capitulation to government “If you make a lot of assumptions about what people are thinking, then people get overreach and a bane to personal freedoms. A small number are simply opposed annoyed, because your intervention is not relevant to them,” she says. “It’s important to all vaccines. to really listen and understand, because The fact that people have varying rea- maybe somebody has a very reasonable sons for not getting vaccinated can make it concern and just needs some clear informore difficult to get everyone one board, mation.” and that affects us all. Without sufficient numbers of people becoming vaccinated, we won’t reach “herd immunity.” That means the pandemic could continue indefinitely.

Research in health care settings suggests that showing empathy can help encourage vaccine adherence, because it increases trust in the messenger. In Larson’s recent book, Stuck: Why Vaccine RuSo, how can we help people overcome mors Start and Why They Won’t Go Away, their resistance to being vaccinated? While she advises a more understanding view science has no sure-fire answer to this di- around vaccine hesitancy. Approach people with respect and dignity, even if you lemma, research suggests that some apdisagree with them. proaches may be better than others and could be worth trying—especially if people To express empathy, you might say are on the fence rather than anti-vaccines, something like this: “It’s understandable

This magazine iss published by North Omaha Area Health also know as NOAH Free Clinic. It is sponsored by our partner agencies and friends. If you hae any questions about the stories or articles please call the CEO of NOAH Ira Combs. That number is

402-933-0737 ext 1007

Reasons to wait for sex 1.Religious beliefs (wait until marriage) 2.Concerns about reputation (being seen as “easy” ) 3.Possibility of pregnancy 4.Possibility of disease 5.Lack of trust in your partner 6.Personal belief in abstinence (not having sex) 7.Just waiting for the right guy/girl 8.Lack of trust in the future of relationship 9. You Just don’t feel ready All of these are perfectly good reasons to wait. Remember - it’s OK to wait as long as you want before having sex. The decision is yours to make, and it’s going to be yours to live with, so make sure it’s the right decision.

Sex is a personal issue. It’s something that you should discuss with your partner, yourself and maybe your doctor, but you don’t have to discuss it with the rest of the world. It’s your choice, and that’s all that matters.

And don’t worry about what everyone else is doing independence is a sign of maturity…having sex is not.

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