Terminology
What is health?
A state of physical, mental and social well-being, free of illness or injury
A student is not feeling well for weeks. They are achey, their stomach hurts, they have a cough, sneezing, wheezing, and are very weak. What illness does the student have?
The flu. If a student has the flu (not to be confused with a cold), they should not come to school until their symptoms have stopped because it is very contagious
When should a student go to the school nurse?
When a student is sick and needs to go home, needs ice, a bandaide, immunizations, or medications
What does the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) do?
Promote the school based health center to students and staff, advocates for health centers in schools @ Salem annually, teaches students healthy behaviors, goes to Salem
What does confidential mean?
Confidential simply means "kept secret". For healthcare, this refers to the private information and/or health records between the patient and the physician. The information is not shared with anyone else and is kept in a secure, safe, place.
A student feels extremely nervous for days before every test and it is affecting them negatively. They can't concentrate on anything else and often their head hurts and their heart races when the test is mentioned. The student is experiencing what kind mental health disorder?
Anxiety
When should a student go to the health center?
a student should go to the health center to make an appointment to see the Dr. or Nurse Practitioner if they need a physical, have an ongoing illness (strep throat), feel very sad or anxious, have an injury, need lab tests, relationship issues, insurance help, etc.
Think of the health center as a clinic, also known as a school based health center.
What is JYAC and what do they do?
JYAC stands for 'Jr. Youth Advisory Council" at Rowe that helps promote the health and wellness center at MHS and teaches their peers and friends about healthy behaviors
What is a cavity?
a damanged area on the surface of a tooth that has a tiny hole or opening. It is a form of tooth decay formed by bacteria, sugary food or drinks, or not cleaning your teeth well
A student is experiencing a scratchy, sore throat for several days. The pain in their throat is increasing and they also have a cough. What illness if the student experiencing?
Step throat
Do you need to fill out paperwork to be seen at the Health and Wellness Center?
Yes! Rowe students will need have to a guardian call the health center to make an appointment and fill out paperwork for the student (3 forms, 4 if it's a sports physical). Paperwork should be completed BEFORE the appointment
When do YAC and JYAC meet?
MHS' YAC meets every Tuesday after school at 3:15-4:30.
JYAC meets once a month on the third Thursday of the month at Rowe after school at 4:15-5.
What does 'hygiene' mean?
conditions or practices to maintain health and prevent disease, especially through cleanliness.
A student feels sick to their stomach and throws up in class. What is the student experiencing and where should they go for help?
Likely a stomach bug. The student should go to the school nurse to be sent home
Will students get in trouble if they miss class because they are at the health center?
No, students will be excused from class if they have an appointment. Teachers are not allowed to question students about their appointments at the health center
What topics do JYAC and YAC focus on?
Anything that revolves around health and is of interested to the YAC/JYAC:
physical: healthy behaviors, nutrition, physical activity, health literacy, oral health
mental/behavioral health: anxiety, depression, suicide prevention,healthy habits, coping mechanisms, stress management
social: bullying, building community, healthy relationships, giving back/helping others, kindness , outreach to school community/larger community
What is a 'co-payment'?
A fixed amount (for example, $15) you pay for a covered health care service, usually when you receive the service (go to the Dr.). The amount can depends on a person's health insurance plan
The MHS Health and Wellness Center does NOT charge students co-pays
A student is feeling down and sad for quite a long time. They have no interest in doing things with friends or family because the pain they feel inside is overwhelming. Every day tasks also become difficult. What is this student experiencing?
Depression.
Seeing the Behavioral Health Counselor or school therapist is a good solution to help the patient
What is the difference between a school nurse and Nurse Practitioner?
Nurse Practitioners are similar to doctors- they can diagnose and treat minor injuries or illnesses, prescribe medications, or refer the patient to a specialist, do not need supervision. At MHS, the NP is in the health and wellness center (clinic) on campus, M6A,
A school nurse is a Registered Nurse who monitors patients, dispenses medications, maintains patient records, assists physicians with patient exams and treatments. At MHS, the school nurse is in the counseling office.
What is the best way to let students and parents know about the health center?
educate peers through discussion, inviting students to YAC/JYAC meetings and events, outreach at registration night, flyers, social media, presentations to classrooms, etc.