Today marks the start of National Public Health Week (#NPHW) in the US (April 6-12). In the wake of the current health crisis with COVID-19, public health is even more in the spotlight. Professionals are working tirelessly to care for their communities, but that care extends far beyond the...
Read more
A common theme among teens (not dealing with a crisis) is the intense levels of stress in their daily lives. It may be surprising to think that teens often experience higher levels of stress than adults, but a study of more than 1,000 teens revealed an average stress score...
Read more
Through TV, social media and their peers, teens are exposed every day to risks like substance use, sex, violence and more. Data shows that children as young as 11 years old are engaging in risky behaviors, often without an adult ever knowing. Asking about these behaviors through routine risk...
Read more
The thought of discussing serious topics, like mental health, substance use, or sex with pediatric patients can make anyone start to sweat. If you agree, don’t worry, you’re not alone! Comprehensive risk screening can feel overwhelming, even scary. But it’s time to face your fears! Read more on Op-Med
Read more
Nearly half of all youth who commit suicide visited a healthcare provider within the previous month. Mental health risks (depression, anger management, being bullied, having thoughts of suicide or self-harm) now rank higher than drug, alcohol and tobacco use among youth. With more than 8000 completed RAAPS screenings, Triangle...
Read more
“It was an evil that I hadn’t faced before,” said Dr. Hassan Nemeh, the surgical director of Thoracic Organ Transplant at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. In coverage by The Detroit News, after Dr. Nemeh transplanted two lungs into a teenage boy who was going to die from vaping,...
Read more
October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Bullying can impact a youth’s education, physical and emotional health, and their safety and well-being. Annual RAAPS* data consistently identifies bullying in the top youth risks—and of those reporting being bullied in the last year, 67% also flagged positively for depression (2 out...
Read more
Summer is winding down and youth will soon be stepping into another school year of new experiences, personal and academic growth, new friends, new classes—and a whole new slew of challenges. Whether you interact with youth in a school setting, a community-based organization or as a clinician, chances are...
Read more
Whether you’re in a SBHC, primary care office, or other youth serving organization, you know the importance of data and reporting but… Did You Know: Tracking risky behaviors at the population level is the most direct and valuable way to support youth. The thousands of professionals that have integrated...
Read more
You know the scenario: you administered the Rapid Assessment for Adolescent Preventive Services (RAAPS) risk assessment and are ready to meet with youth to confidently discuss their identified risks. But how do you start the conversation? And once it’s started, how do you help guide them towards healthier behaviors?...
Read more© 2020 Possibilities for Change, LLC | All rights reserved