2 wellness The transition from summer back to school can cause a wave of positive and negative feelings for students. During the school year, students face a variety of challenges that can affect their mental health. Need assistance with your benefits? Did you know you can apply for or renew your benefits online? The Texas Health & Human Services Commission (HHSC) has created an application called Your Texas Benefits that you can use to apply for or renew your benefits. You can also check your Lone Star balance. El Paso Health has a team of Community Health Workers that can help you create an account and either apply for or renew your Medicaid / CHIP benefits. Please contact us if you need assistance in order to avoid interruption in your children’s services. You can also schedule an appointment online at www.elpasohealth.com/makeanappointment. El Paso Health has special Medicaid services for farmworker children. To help you get these services, please call us at 1-877-532-3778, Ext. 1075. We will help you get the medical services your children need. How the school year affects children’s mental health Studies have shown that mental health has a strong effect on academic performance. Finding the right approach to help your child succeed in and out of the classroom is a balancing act. It’s important to help your children cope with their emotions in a healthy way. You can do this by listening to their feelings and validating them and encouraging them to express their emotions through words, art, music, or other creative outlets. Healthy habits that support mental wellness ■ Eating a well-balanced diet and staying hydrated are important for setting up your student for success. ■ Kids who move during the day through recess, team sports, or extracurricular activities are set up for success in the classroom. ■ Good-quality sleep is important for sustaining mental health. ■ Kids succeed when they know what their expectations are throughout the day. Helping your child map out study time, assignments, and other activities throughout the day, week, and month can make it easier for them to track their responsibilities. ■ Taking time for self-care will help everyone stay physically and mentally healthy during this potentially stressful time. Regular check-ins with your child are beneficial to see how they’re doing academically, socially, and emotionally. If you are concerned about your child’s anxiety or depression, seek help from a school counselor or mental health professional to get an accurate diagnosis.
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