UnMazed Magazine-Guide Teen's Mental Health (December 2018)

UnMazed

December 2018

Magazine

Guide to Teen Mental Health

How to Help Acne or Imposter Best Apps for Wellness

C O N T E N T SÂ 10 Why Labels Hurts & How to Avoid Them 12

Teen's Guide to Mental Health. For a Teen by a Teen

17

College Campus Safety

18

Technology: Is it Good or Bad for Mental Health

20 Ask the Expert: Disabilities at College 24 Teen Mental Health. There is Help 26 Best Apps for Mental Health 29 Acne or Imposter?

24 26 28

30

Subscribe today NOW GET YOUR FREE MONTHLY MAGAZINE DELIVERED TO YOUR EMAIL 30 30

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UNMAZED Letter from the Editor

Mental health is continuing to be a topic in education as

After Florida faced the Parkland shootings last year,

more students are being affected by mental illness,

legislation pledged over $400 million to be used to make our

such as depression, anxiety, anorexia, and substance

schools safer. Over $100 million of the money was

abuse. Several years ago when I was a teacher back in

dedicated for additional mental health counselors to

Iowa, our school had a suicide contagion where we had

provide direct counseling services. This is a great step

8 deaths in a few short years. The affect on the

towards addressing issues that are plaguing our schools

community,

today.

including

teachers,

parents,

and

students,was substantial as we struggled to grasp how we got to that point. I was invited to be one of the first

As a community, we need to continue to build resources to

people trained in a new innovative program, Mental

support families that need help. The authors encapsulated

Health First Aid, that taught community members the

a lot of ways to help students cope when things are tough. I

warning signs of mental illness and how to respond so

found the mental health apps by Courtney Faunce a great

people are more likely to receive help.

resource for all of us! While there are some great apps and websites out there that can point families in the right

MHFA was life-changing for many of us, especially the

direction, it will never replace building strong relationships

educators who dedicated their lives to student success

with the educators and mental health professionals who

and, unfortunately, did not have the skills to address

care about a student's social, emotional, physical, and

mental health needs.

academic well-being.

By: Dr. Amanda Sterk, Senior Editor and Founder of UnMazed Magazine

4

UNMAZED MAGAZINE,

December 2018, ISSUE 8

Magazine articles and more can be found at www.unmaze.me Where Florida experts meet for teen success.

Contact us: We enjoy hearing from from parents, students, and educators throughout the state. Send us your photos, letters, or comments to asterk@unmaze.me. Or visit us online: www.unmaze.me Do you want to collaborate? This magazine is designed for educators across the state to share their expertise on a variety of topics. We welcome those who would like to participate in creating this resource.

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5

UnMazed Where Experts Meet for Teen Success

Editors SENIOR EDITOR

Amanda Sterk, Ed.D., is CEO of Florida Center for Educational Planning and author of College UnMazed: Your Guide Through the Florida College & University System. She currently works at Florida SouthWestern State College as Director of Accelerated Programs.. Dr. Sterk has been an educator for 20 years as a teacher, school counselor, and administrator. She is founder of the Florida teen resource, www.unmaze.me.Â

www.unmaze.me

Contributing Writers 26

Courtney Faunce is a mental health clinician at Lifescape Counseling Services, LLC,. She specializes in working with young adults and families utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) practices with a humanistic client-centered approach.

24

Rob Hicks, M.Ed.,has worked in public schools for 16 years. He is a school counselor at Fernandina Beach High School and the Ogburn School. He maintains the "Getting My Guide On" blog about all things school counselor at guidey.blogspot.com and writes about local history.

10

Donna Marsh is a Holistic Wellness Practitioner and Life Coach. She focuses on whole food nutrition, mindfulness and meditation to create balance and wellness within the body, mind, heart and spirit. If you would like more information about Donna or her individual and family programs, visit www.wellness-starts-within.com or call 315-572-2453 to schedule a free 30 minute discovery session.

12

Jasmine Cledanor is a senior at Lely High School in Naples, Florida. She participates in events around her community, such as the Boys & Girls Club of Collier County’s Youth of the Year scholarship and leadership program where she earned the title of the 2018 Local Youth of the Year. With her written activism, she has grasped the attention of many organizations, such as the Junior Women of Initiative, UPS Road Code (named a local ambassador), and the Laws of Life Program.

15

Jennifer Murphy, MS, AS, has been working with Sex Crimes victims/Survivors for over 30 years. She if founder of Fabulous Faithful Freedom Fighters, Inc.

29

Carleen Murone, LE, COE, is owner of Imagine by Carleen, Inc and Imagine Wellness Spa in Cape Coral, Florida. She helps people find and enhance their Best Beautiful Self, while they discover and embrace their inner and outer beauty to feel more confident and successful.

18

Pamela Jenkins, Founder of WAY Educational Services. Pamela is passionate about equipping students with the knowledge to live a more meaningful. She has a specialist degree in Educational Leadership and a master's in Psychology.

Do you have a passion for teen success?

Would you like to write for an innovative magazine written by educators across the state?

Connect with us today! http://www.unmaze.me/collaborators-3/

UNMAZED

Upcoming Featured

JANUARY

Featured: Teen's Guide Community Resources; Resource Directory of businesses, colleges, and organizations dedicated to student success.

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Join 17,000 Readers

The amount of teens who experience a severe mental disorder

20%

FEATURED

Why Labels Hurt and How To Avoid Them People seem to feel a need to put a label on just about

As a teenager, ou are a oung adult, ou are figuring

e er thing. If ou are a teenager in America toda , or

out

the parent of one, this is particularl

The labels other people associate

rele ant. It is

hat

ou belie e,

ou feel,

important to understand the effects of these labels and

dictate

health

teacher, a sibling, a friend or fello

a s to deal

ith them. With an immense

amount of information at their fingertips, the le el of mental and emotional processing kids and teens must

ho

ou are,

hat ith

hether that is

So, if someone refers to

trouble-maker or athlete or tombo

or bull , a or freak , for

e ample, those labels aren’t

be challenging for parents to relate to this because as

labels

teens themsel es, most didn’t ha e cell phones or the

judgments that ha e little or nothing to do

technolog

person. Generall , the

their kids are e posed to as part of their

communities online are filled opinions about ho

ith labels, bull ing, and

based

on

obser ations,

onder teens find it difficult

to cope sometimes.

are

assumptions,

or

ith ou as a

ha e more to do

ith ho

another person feels about him or herself and their ie

of the

orld.

It can hurt

hen negati e labels are directed to ard

ou and it can inflate positi e. No matter

As a parent, it is essential ou become a are of our o n tendenc to label our child. E en if our intention is good, a label can stick or subconsciousl , a child

ith them fore er. Consciousl ill either modif beha ior to

fit into the label the ha e been gi en or the out in defiance of it. E en

ill act

ith lo ing intentions, telling

them the are a good girl or good bo stress and put pressure on

can create our child.

Consider instead just being there to guide and support our child’s o n self disco er

and empo erment

rather than attempting to mold them into someone ou belie e the should be.

UNMAZED MAGAZINE,

ou are. The

e should look, should act, should

feel, should think, it’s no

unnecessar

ou do not

student in school.

ou as prett ho

ou think.

our parents, a

do at a fast pace can be incredibl o er helming. It can

e er da life. When mass media, ad ertisements, and

10

hat

kno

our ego

hen the labels are

hat labels are thro n around,

that ou are not obligated to o n them or attach

ourself to them. Parents, feedback for part of the parenting process. It’s ho

our child is

the learn, right?

When describing our child or referring to him or her, simpl changing the

a

ou structure our

make a big difference in ho

the

ords can

recei e that

feedback. For e ample, rather than sa ing M son is an athlete , sa

M son enjo s athletics . In this

a

ou

are describing beha ior and e perience rather than attaching a label that ma or ma not hold true for our child. Think about ho

ou e perienced our teenage

ears. What labels did ou then, and perhaps still do,

What's Your Label? identif

ith? Ho

ha e the affected ou? Think about

this honestl . Gi e our kids and students the support and lo e the

require and deser e to thri e,

ithout

I get called a geek because I like books. I would rather just read than talk to people.

Joellen

labeling them. Put aside our personal e pectations and judgements and ask

ourself

hat

ou can do to

nourish and guide the oung people in our trust. What ould ou, as an adult, do for the teenage ou, if ou could? Let our kids kno

if something

as, or still is,

challenging or a k ard for ou. Talk to them about the stuff that isn’t eas for ou. Asking them ho rather than telling them al a s eas because

e

hat the

the feel

should do is not

ant to protect our kids from

ha ing to e perience difficult emotions and situations.

But it sho s them that the are alued and empo ers them to make their o n decisions. Sho ant to understand, that

them that ou

ou are listening, and

ou,

too, are ulnerable sometimes. In doing so, ou create a

Jock- Others call me that because I like to play sports.

Mark

safe space and demonstrate that their o n ulnerabilit is normal. You let them kno

the are lo ed and

ill

not be judged, or labeled, as a result of opening up to ou

We are all unique and e periencing life from our o n ie point. When

e attempt to squeeze oursel es and

each other into defined labels,

e are creating limits in

our minds that can lead to fear, frustration, anger,

Anti-social- Just because I am intro erted, people think I don't like Sarah people.

stress, and depression. You do not need to take someone else’s beha ior, opinion, or

ords personall .

And ou do not need to shape ourself into an thing that doesn’t feel good to ou. Think for ourself. Allo other people to do so, regardless of the same for limitless

ou. Kno

ou are! Treat

ho

hether the do

po erful and ho

ourself and others

compassion and kindness. Kno

that e er

By Donna Marsh, Founder of Wellness Starts Within, Author of Empowering Transformation

ith

person

matters, including ou.

WWW.UNMAZE.ME,

11

STUDENT VOICE Teen's Guide to Mental Health For a Teen. By a Teen.

You' e probabl

heard it a thousand

times, onl in different

a s.

"Your hormones must be raging." is hat our mother said after ou rolled those tired e es in anno ance.

"This is a er emotional time in our life."

-

A

phrase

our

guidance

counselor seems to mention e er "It's that age, no need to

isit.

orr ." Your

famil doctor assures ou after ou' e finall built the courage to speak up.

The

are

all

just

e cuses,

t pical

e planations people use to strip the se erit of our mental illness until it is nothing more than "Teenage Beha ior."

I'll be the first to inform

ou that

mental illness is incredibl

serious,

affecting 1 in 5 teens in the United States alone

nami.org ,

hich also

makes it quite common. Â As e er one kno s, bull ing is one of the major triggers of mental distress, hich often results in disorders such as major

depression,

an iet ,

and

in

particular cases, anore ia or bulimia.

Although man steps ha e been taken to end bull ing, it lingers among the fragile minds of adolescents like a thick fog,

causing

nothing

but

gloom,

confusion, and loneliness. The effects of

bull ing ha e the potential to go be ond the teenage ears,

ell into adulthood,

hen most of us are

that gi e

ou an e tra boost due to high amounts of

glucose, omega , folic acid, and probiotics.

e pected to become self-sufficient enough to "get o er . Mood Music: No one is gloom all the time, just like

it."

no one is happ all the time. Music has the po er to In hopes to steer pro ided ten

ou in a positi e direction, I' e

soothe, so listen to a song that suits our mood. 1on't

aluable tools to maintain health and

feel pressured to fake a smile, because it's oka to fro n

happiness throughout our journe of internal gro th.

hen ou need to.

. Natural Remedies: Sometimes, ou' e got to put our

1. E ercise: Mind and bod join forces to regulate blood flo

to the brain. The chemicals serotonin and

trust into the

holesome arms of Mother Nature.

endorphins are essential, and e ercise releases those

Products like herbal supplements are deri ed from

chemicals to impro e mood and relie e stress.

plants and aren’t as intense as most prescription

medications. . Meditation: It is becoming more and more popular—

roughl

-5

million

people

mind orks.org . A deep, silent focus alone can onders, especiall

ork

ith cellphone apps like Calm and

. Online Friend: M fa orite, because of ho

modern it

ho ma be half across the

orld, but going through similar issues

our hurt. Release

our

thoughts, emotions, dreams and fears on a page, and look back to see ho

ou’ e flourished since our first

entr .

Headspace to guide each session.

seems. Chatting to someone

. Journaling: 1on’t hide

meditate

1 . Habits: Similar to ph sical health, mental health requires practice. Make

our happiness habitual. Tell

ourself each morning that it’ll be a great da —and it

ill eliminate the

ill.

ner es of a face-to-face con ersation. This is a great choice for intro erted teens.

I ma ha e criticized the countless e cuses people use . "I" Statements: A helpful strateg used to e press our concerns asserti el . An e ample of an "I" Statement is "I feel disrespected

surrounding teenage health, but I’ e got just one more cliché. Ultimatel , it is our decision on ou take initiati e of

hen ou sa those things."

our

happen o ernight, but if

hether or not

ellbeing. Change ou can someho

on’t find a

5. Therap : You might ha e realized a pattern at this

balance of order and self-sufficienc , the outcomes are

point. Communication is ke ! Ask a parent or guardian

bound to be

Emotional pain is not something that should be hidden

about a therapist. If that isn't an option, confide in a trusted adult. If all else fails, tr tool number .

orth hile.

a a

and ne er spoken about. There is truth in

our

pain, but onl if it’s first brought out into the open. . Health Eating: You think

hat ou eat. According to

Ps cholog Toda , protein, fish, ogurt and eggies are a fe

of man foods

-Ste en Aitchinson

By Jasmine Cledanor, Ssenior at Lely High School in Naples, Florida.

WWW.UNMAZE.ME,

13

FEATURED College Campus Safety For students, parents, and educators back to school is an exciting time of year. Our easybreezy days of summer are exchanged for the schedules, routines and a sense of normalcy and promise of the new fall season. We had a relaxing break but now it is time to buckle down. So, while you get your class enrollment, dorm and roommate assignments, meet your teachers, learn the campus, read the syllabus, buy overpriced & oversized textbooks, you must also keep in mind there a few other things you need to consider to make this the best and safest fall semester ever!! It can be difficult to think and talk about sexual assault when your son or daughter is going off to college, but it’s important that you are both aware of the prevalent and frequent nature of sexual assault on college campuses across the country.

So, while we follow our heart and chase our dreams, let’s take our brain with us. Although we want to focus on all that is exciting there are facts about college campus life which cannot be ignored. One of the most concerning issues young adults face is sexual assault. In addition to mobilizing

campuses

and

communities

to

address this issue, it’s important for all parents to feel prepared and equipped to discuss this topic.

At Fabulous Faithful Freedom Fighters, Inc. Sex Crimes

&

Sex

Trafficking

Outreach,

we

encourage parents and caregivers to address key topics relating to sexual assault and safety before their child leaves for college. Teaching young adults about this prevalent public health issue will better prepare you to deal with this issue in an informed way. This information is also essential when you look at the following startling statistics. knowledge is power. The more you know the safer you will stay.

KNOW THE FACTS: Ø Every 98 seconds a sexual assault occurs in the U.S. Ø Rape is the most underreported crimes. Ø

63% assaults are not reported to law enforcement

authorities. Ø 20%-25% of college women are victims of forced sex during their time in college. Ø Among college women, 9/10 victims of rape and sexual assault know their offender. Ø A 2002 study revealed that 63.3% of men (self-reported) at one university reported acts qualifying as rape or attempted rape admitted to committing repeated rapes. Ø 27% of college women have experienced some form of unwanted sexual contact. Ø More than 95% of sexual assault victims on college campuses DO NOT REPORT the assault. Ø Nearly 2/3 of college students experience sexual harassment.

WWW.UNMAZE.ME,

15

CONTINUED...

To be fully informed about rape and/or sexual assault.

This is the best time of your life and you want to get as

Let’s define sexual assault: Types of sexual violence that

much out of the experience as possible. A whole new

applies to a broad range of forced and or unwanted

world has opened up to you and it is exciting and fun and

sexual activity. What this means under the law is that

scary all at the same time. Enjoy it. Be #awarenotscared

there was no prior CONSENT to the sexual activity. The

above listed statistics reflect a desperate need for

A few things to remember if you are a victim of a sexual

increased awareness and prevention. The purpose of this

assault it is not your fault! It is never the victim's fault.

article is to increase awareness about sexual assault,

The only person responsible is the perpetrator. There is a

campus safety. #awarenotscared

lot of help. Do not go it alone. Reach out to friends, family, church, your school and other professionals to

Intimate/acquaintance assailants are the most common

help get you through this. It won't be easy but it is

form of sexual attacks. Experts believe that the fact that

possible to thrive after surviving a sexual assault.

the assailant is known to the victim is the number 1

Fabulous Faithful Freedom Fighters, Inc. addresses the

reason given for not reporting these all too common

needs of the hurting in SWFL and beyond. If you have

crimes. Others did not realize that they had been raped.

been or know someone who has been a victim you can

We don’t want you walking around campus scared but

call, text or email us for resources and help. Mental

we do want to help you be more aware of your

Health FREE Hot line (213) 4BEFREE/ (213) 423.3733.

surroundings and employ preventative measures to

Email: swflfreedomfighters@gmail.com.

reduce the risk of experiencing a sexual assault on

(239) 601.4389.

campus.

16

UNMAZED MAGAZINE,

Office/Cell#:

By Jennifery Murphy, Founder of Fabulous Faithful Freedom Fighters, Inc.

COLLEGE CAMPUS SAFETY: 1. Always be aware of your surroundings. Take a quick mental picture of what’s around you.

2. Inside buildings always be aware of all the exits 3. Sit with your back to a wall, facing the doors in order to be able to view the exits.

4. Survey the people in close proximity.

5. Safest path to all classes.

6. Trust your gut. If something or someone feels off, then it is.

7. If you feel unsafe -for any reason- PHONE 911 or CAMPUS SECURITY 8. Alternative paths to class in case you need to change up your routine.

9. Change up your routine. You don’t know people are watching you, but they are.

10. Flashlights, Whistles, Personal alarms, Personal tasers (check legal voltage rates in your area).

Mace & Pepper spray are illegal in Florida so check the laws in your area 11. Do not isolate yourself 12. Do not walk or travel on campus alone.

13. Start a Buddy system model with your friends.

14. Do not go out alone 15. Always tell a trusted friend where you are going and how late you will be.

16. Leave the name and phone number of a boyfriend, girlfriend or companion with a trusted friend or confidant.

17. Bring your cell phone & important numbers with you at all times.

18. If you drink have a trusted and sober friend to drive.

19. Never leave a bar, party, library or any event with someone you don’t know.

20. Do not post or say anything online you wouldn’t say in person.

21. Set all online profiles to private.

22. Save and/or document any abusive, threatening or harassing comments, posts or texts.

23. Reach out to a trusted friend if you are struggling. There is a lot of help. There is no shame in reaching out.

24. Never get into a vehicle with someone you do not know.

WWW.UNMAZE.ME,

17

FEATURED

TECHNOLOGY: IS IT GOOD OR BAD FOR MENTAL HEALTH?

In today’s modern society, it is quite apparent that

As a psychologist, I want to address some underlying

technology has made a major impact upon our lives. If

issues which go beyond our perceived benefits of

you were born in the 1960’s or earlier, technology has

technology. In my opinion, technology is simply a tool

transformed your life in a dramatic way. On the other

that can be used for our benefit or our detriment. The

hand, school aged children today are growing up in a

real issue has to do with our thinking and subsequent

world driven by technology. They have no other

behavior. It is never the thing, it is what is driving the

experience by which to compare, the technological

thing: human motivation.

world is all that they have ever known.

Think of technology like electricity. When electricity is harnessed, it is of great benefit to us. On the other

Despite all the ways in which technology makes our

hand, when electricity is out of control, it can destroy

lives better, there is growing concern about

us.

technology and its impact on mental health and human socialization. For example, I read of a recent

From a psychological perspective, there are 3 main

study that reported an overall decline of student

concerns that I have with technology as it relates to

grades stemming from the use of cell phones in the

mental health.

classroom.

18

UNMAZED MAGAZINE,

The first concern is regarding mental focus. Technology and

Currently, there are digital detox camps that are available to

social media have become such a great source of distraction

assist young people in managing tech boundaries and breaking

away from the face to face relationships, that we once enjoyed,

mental habits that are nonproductive. Teaching young people

before we were conditioned to become more relationally

how to be more mindful and aware of the present is proving to

distant. When we are constantly distracted, we are not taking

be helpful when dealing with mental health issues.

the time to connect with self and others. If we are not connecting to ourselves, we are not growing on a personal

If your teen is suffering from anxiety and/or depression and is

level.

addicted to social media, my first recommendation would be to have them fast from it for a day or two and see how they feel.

The second concern is about how we communicate. The

Have them make a conscious effort to connect with others face

addiction to technology has created a generation that is not

to face or just get out and spend some time in nature. If they

equipped to effectively communicate. We are missing out on

suddenly feel better mentally and emotionally, then it could be

some crucial parts of the communication process. Those parts

an indication that technology is negatively impacting their

are called body language and tone of voice. It is well known that

mental health.

spoken words are only a small part of the communication process, only estimated at about 7%. When we text or email,

Addictions to technology and social media is not much different

we only have the written words to decipher and often we don’t

from the dynamics of other addictions. Addictions occur

even do that correctly, hence the need for the hundreds of

because there are underlying things that we may not want to

emojis and GIFs. This type of communication breeds mental

face. Most often, the things we avoid have to do with intimacy in

confusion and misunderstanding, which often leads to conflict.

relationships. For some, it is much easier to have superficial relationships than to risk having a real one.

The third concern involves fear and avoidance. Let’s face it, we are all human and experience doubt and fear from time to time.

Isn’t it ironic that we have never been so connected in our world

In my opinion, technology cultivates avoidance and if we hide

but at the same time, we have never been so disconnected to

behind technology, we tend to stay disconnected. Interestingly,

one another personally? Furthermore, we have never been so

I have observed an increase of today’s youth with a growing

disconnected to ourselves. To know oneself is key to knowing

fear of speaking to others over the phone. This fear and

others.

avoidance can negatively impact their relationships and career opportunities later in life.

The question remains, is today’s technology good for our mental health? It depends on who you ask and what personal benefit it

In addition to the above concerns, there is also the issue of

has to that individual. I would just ask you to reflect and

electromagnetic fields (EMF) and their effect on the brain and

examine its possible effects on your mental health as well as

body. At this time, we really don’t know to what extent that

your child’s.

EMF’s can have on brain chemicals. Some believe that it could possibly be adding to the increase of anxiety and depression

It may surprise you to know that almost half of the entire

symptoms in today’s youth.

world’s population is without the use of internet and the technological devices that we take for granted every day. When

I believe that we, as a society, can agree that there is a concern

it comes to personal relationships and what makes people

with the distractions that technology can cause in classrooms,

happy, we might ask the question, are we really the fortunate

meetings, public offices, in vehicles, etc. Therefore, I believe

ones?

that it is up to us personally to make sure that the use of cell phones and computers do not become a distraction or an

By: Pamela Jenkins, Founder of WAY Education Services

addiction that affects how we feel mentally. Furthermore, as parents, we should monitor our children for signs of anxiety and/or depression as it may be influenced by their addiction to social media.

WWW.UNMAZE.ME,

19

ASK THE EXPERT If you are one of the million of students who use school accommodations to help you perform your best academically, this is a great read for you. Though you may not use all of your accommodations in high school, there is a reason you should keep them in place.

I ha e a learning disability. Ho ill that affect college admissions?

-Amber

HERE ARE MY TOP 9 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW: 1. LEARNING DISABILITIES CAN OFFER COLLEGE ADMISSION EDGE. “A student ranked in the top half of his high school class

disabilities or involve parents in decision making.

is up against an applicant pool with a majority of students

Parents are often surprised to learn that there are no

from the top 25 percent of their classes. Showcasing a

IEP’s in college. Rather, in higher education the

learning disability can help bridge this significant gap in

relevant law is a civil rights law – it protects people

grades. A learning disabled student with an average GPA

with disabilities from discrimination in admission to

of 3.4 may be competitive against an applicant pool that

college and participation in college activities. The two

mostly includes students with a 3.7 GPA.” - US News &

federal laws that provide this protection are Section

World Report

504 of the Rehabilitation Act (originally passed in 1973, with subsequent reauthorizations), and the

2. IT GOES WITH YOU TO COLLEGE.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (passed in

"Parents and students don't often realize that their K-12

1990). The ADA states: "No otherwise qualified

IEP [Individual Education Plan] is also useful in college. A

individual with a disability shall, solely by reason of

student who presents at IEP to a college can continue to

such disability, be excluded from participation in or

receive accommodations during their college years. But

be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or

it is up to the student to make the college aware of the

activities of a public entity, or be subjected to

IEP. Each college handles IEP's differently. Some

discrimination by any such entity." - The College of

colleges have disability services staff members who help

New Jersey

coordinate accommodations cited in IEP's with college

In other words, a disability cannot be grounds for

faculty.” - RAMBO Research & Consulting

excluding a person from a college, an academic program, a class, a residence hall, or a college activity,

3. YOU CANNOT BE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST.

if the person is qualified.

“The laws affecting college students with disabilities and the process of obtaining assistive technology in college

4. NOT TO DISCLOSE YOUR LEARNING ISSUES

are completely different from the K-12 world. The

CAN BE A SETUP FOR DISAPPOINTMENT IN

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is not

COLLEGE ADMISSIONS.

in effect in higher education. Colleges have no legal responsibility

to

identify

students

withhttps://www.lifescapecounselingservices.com/

“Not to disclose your learning issues can be a “set-up” for disappointment and/or failure in college Continued on p. 22

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UNMAZED MAGAZINE,

CONTINUED... admissions. Here are some reasons why: To receive a

regardless of their disabilities.” - Community College

fair and adequate review, you as an applicant need to

Review

provide colleges with a clear understanding of how your learning issues have impacted your ability to learn and

7. SOME COLLEGES ARE BETTER FOR STUDENTS

perform academically”. - Marjorie Hansen Shaevitz

WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES. Here are 18 great universities that service a wide range of

5. ACT AND SAT ACCOMMODATIONS

students. In Florida, Lynn University is part of the list!

When taking your college entrance exams, it is highly encouraged you use your accommodations. This is a good thing to discuss with your school counselor or

8. THERE ARE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS WITH

assigned specialist. Here is a great step-by-step guide.

LEARNING DISABILITIES! Whether it is ADD, Autism, General Learning Disabilities,

6. COMMUNITY COLLEGES ARE OFTEN A GREAT

there is a scholarship out there. Check out this website!

PLACE TO START FOR ALL STUDENTS. “Community colleges are an excellent stepping stone

9. YOU CAN BE SUCCESSFUL!

between high school and a four-year institution,

It may take a bit more planning than your peers, but you

especially for students with learning disabilities. Learn

have made it this far! You can make it in college

about the support programs available at community

too! Here are some tried and true tips from NPR to being

colleges that can help students thrive academically,

sure you are successful.

Additional Links

By Dr. Amanda Sterk, Founder of UnMazed Magazine and Author of College UnMazed: Your Guide Through the Florida College & University System

The Florida College System: Students with Disabilities 15 Best Online Resources for College Students 20 Best Value Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities 2018 College Grants for Students with Disabilities College Questions for Students with Disabilities National Resources for Students with Disabilities in Higher Education

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UNMAZED MAGAZINE,

94% Percent of high school students with learning disabilities get some kind of help

17% Percent of college students with learning disabilities get some kind of help Statistic form the Hecinger Report

WWW.UNMAZE.ME,

23

FEATURED Lately, it has been difficult to escape the impact of poor

Teen Mental Health: There is Help

mental health on society. Too frequently, this issue has led to a violet attack on some unexpecting group. We can debate other issues related to these attacks, but it’s hard to argue that poor mental health isn’t a key component and underlying cause of the perpetrator’s desire to destroy the lives of others. After these attacks, there is often a public plea for more attention to mental health and counseling. I won’t disagree that more support here would be better, but I also believe that are many mental health resources already in place that are just undersued. Perhaps, a key issue for that is a lack of awareness so the following is a guide to some of those resources.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-2738255. However, it seems like we actually talk on the phone less and less. Not to worry, their website has a chat feature. The major social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have mechanisms in place as well to report suicidal threats. The first step in these is to “report the post”. While we might think these tools are there for content considered obscene of hateful in some way, answering a series questions within the reporting process can connect users with a helpful links and contacts such as emergency services or preventative agencies.

Speaking of emergency services, those who work in these fields are trained to assist those experiencing a mental health emergency or have strong connections to those who do. The same is true for educators and those in the medical field. Who doesn’t know a police officer, EMT, firefighter, teacher, nurse, or doctor? These titles are ubiquitous and simply finding one of these individuals and expressing your concern is generally enough to get the ball rolling.

By Rob Hicks, School Counselor and Blogger at Guidey.Blogspot.com

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UNMAZED MAGAZINE,

Of course for young people, mental health usually starts at the school. We often call counselors “school counselors” rather than “guidance counselors” because their role has grown more academic and less related to overall well being. However, that is still a critical component of what they do. Many schools have dedicated mental health counselors on staff and students are welcome to see them as needed. Schools are now also using technology to assist in the reporting of mental health concerns. Some schools have instituted “tip lines” or phone numbers one can anonymously text in order to report a concern. There are also apps that can do same thing, such as Florida’s new Fortify Florida app.

Useful Links A Family Guide to Children's Mental Health Services and Supports: Department of Children and Families of Florida Florida Suicide Prevention Resource Center University of Florida Adolescent Depression National Alliance on Mental Illness: Teens & Young Adults Florida Health

There are many additional avenues through which one can find assistance for themselves or others who may require mental health support. However, none of these services or resources can do any good if they are not utilized or remain in the realm of the unknown. Mental health continues to be a concern in America especially for our young people and we are all responsible for guiding others to help they might need.

Mental Health.gov NBC News: Mental Health Services: How to get Treatment if you can't Afford it

A Must for Every Parent & Educator

Editor Note: After a suicide contagion at a school I worked at in Iowa, I was trained in Mental Health First Aid. The program teaches community members, including educators and parents, how to help students who are experiencing a mental health or addiction challenge or is in crisis. This course changes lives. Sign up for a Mental Health First Aid Class near you!

WWW.UNMAZE.ME,

25

TECHNOLOGY BEST APPS FOR MENTAL HEALTH

This is a great screening tool for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder. While this is not a diagnostic tool, elevated scores on the checklists are a good indicator that you could benefit from counseling.

Trying to incorporate mindfulness into your daily life? This app can help you launch into a regular practice of mindfulness meditations. There are several programs, broken down by age group (ranging from age 7 to adult). It tracks how often you are meditating and provides guided practices as well.

I love this app. It's focus is anxiety management- both for help in the moment as well as practicing during calm times. It offers specific techniques for handling perfectionism, test anxiety (great for teens and college students!), panic attacks, and more. My favorite part is the "Chill Out Tools" section- the app guides you through relaxation and visualization exercises.

Another great part of this app is the "Take Active Steps" section- it is full of coping suggestions and real-life ways to handle anxiety in the moment.

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UNMAZED MAGAZINE,

A fairly simple app, Moment tracks how much time you spend on your phone each day. It is easy to spend a ton of time on your phone without even realizing it- from checking emails to scrolling through social media, to texting and making calls- you might be surprised to see how many minutes (hours?) of your day is spent looking at your phone.

Moment is not technically a mental health app, but research shows a strong correlation between heavy smartphone use and mental health issues including stress, depression, and anxiety.

Headspace has become another popular app. It has many benefits, and it can help with many issues. It helps with stress, anxiety, memory loss, lack of concentration, and interpersonal relationships. It offers meditation lessons which focus on most aspects of the user's personal life such as relationships, wellness, and performance. It has hundreds of themed sessions - even insomnia sessions. Even busy individuals can benefit from this app, as it accommodates users with busy schedules by providing them with shorter sessions. It also offers SOS sessions in cases of breakdowns. Its available for both Android and iOS devices.

Calm is an app that offers meditation, and it can help with bringing peace and joy to your daily life. It's even suitable for people who are unfamiliar with meditation, as its designed for beginners. Basic courses on meditation are available for free. Advanced meditation guides are available, but these have subscription fees. This app is ideal for people that are suffering from anxiety, depression, and stress. Calm is available on both Android and iOS devices.

Breathe2Relax is an app that's specifically designed for stress management. It also goes beyond stress management, and it can be beneficial for many mental health conditions.

Apart from it being good for stress management, it helps with anxiety and even anger management. This app uses breathing exercises. These breathing exercises are therapeutic, and it helps with keeping both the mind and body. This app is available for both Android and iOS devices.

Pacifica is beneficial for people that are suffering from anxiety. This app tracks down the user's daily activities. The Pacifica app uses cognitive behavioral therapy, this type of therapy helps the user with understanding their condition. It also helps them with identifying their behavioral patterns, and it helps them with changing their thinking. Users have control over their recovery. This app also provides relaxation techniques to the user. It also tracks the user's mood and health such as sleep as well as exercise. This app will also track the user's progress and help with setting goals. It also has a peer support community. So, you will never feel alone on your journey to recovery. This help is available for both iOS and Android devices.

By: Courtney Faunce, Mental Health Counselor Intern for Lifescapes Counseling, LLC in Fort Myers

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27

FEATURED

ACNE

or an Imposter?

Most of us think we know what acne looks like, right?

Acne is Retention Hyperkeratosis, a condition where the

Pimples, inflamed and cystic, or small non-inflamed little

skin sheds skin cells much more rapidly than the normal

white heads may come to mind. When faced with acne-

skin cycle and the dead cells build up and clog pores,

like breakouts the go-to for many teens and adults is a

creating plugs. There is no cure for this, it is often genetic

drug store cleanser for acne like Clean and Clear. When

and can be managed with proper skin products topically,

that doesn’t help, the next step is often the dermatologist,

lifestyle and dietary changes, a treatment and care plan

some prescriptions and even progressing to aggressive

designed specifically for the client by an experienced Skin

medication like Accutane. What many don’t know about

Therapist/Esthetician and diligence to stick to it.

this condition can really make things so much worse.

Medications can help to exfoliate those cells so they don’t

After many years of studying and treating skin with acne-

clog the pores and also to kill bacteria in the pores and

like conditions I have been able to help people heal their

skin keeping inflammation in check but for many people it

skin by first identifying whether it is real acne or an

doesn’t help because the breakouts aren’t really acne.

impostor. llness Spa

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29

FREE ACNE CLINIC 1ECEMBER

TH 3-6 PM

Ima ine 1ellness Spa ill be holdin a Free Acne Clinic at the Spa on Monday, December th rom 3 PM throu h 6 PM. In order to re ister please call the spa and hold your reser ation ith a credit or debit card, there are only spots or 6 clients. Carleen Murone, LE, COE, Micropi mentation Artist and President o Ima ine By Carleen, Inc, O ner o Ima in 1ellness Spa

80%

of people ages 11-30 have acne outbreaks CONTINUED...

One of the most prevalent acne imposters I see regularly

and lean protein. Once that week is over there is a

is something referred to as fungal folliculitis. The skin

controlled method of adding foods back into the diet over

breaks out in first tiny white bumps that resemble small

a slow period of time to easily spot the sensitivities. At

whiteheads but under close scrutiny it’s not the pores

the same time I detox the skin with the dermalinfusion

filled with sebum it’s the follicles, and typically sebum

treatment and work with the client on appropriate skin

can’t be extracted. One may squeeze and nothing

care products, at-home regimen, and clinical treatment.

happens, often leading to picking and even scarring. The cause is actually from the digestive system. With the use

I haven’t found a case of acne I couldn’t heal if the patient

of facial mapping one can also see the patterns of

strictly adheres to the recommendations. The Imagine

breakouts corresponding to the organ/system that is

Wellness Spa’s Acne Program is a combination of

compromised. The primary culprit is Candida, a bacterial

education from the Face Reality Acne Clinic in California,

overgrowth of yeast in the intestinal tract typically

and products and treatments from companies like

caused

Environ, Envy Medical, and Face Reality and nutritional

by

sugars,

refined

starches,

complex

carbohydrates, and/or gluten and dairy sensitivities.

support from TLS and nutraMetrix.

My recommendation for this is obviously dietary changes,

For more information visit www.imaginewellnessspa.com

but I like to start with a food detox. eliminating

and to book an appointment call 239-471-7029.

everything that causes information in the first week,

Although we do not take insurance we do take care credit

focusing on clean vegetables, some low glycemic fruits,

and have medical supervision and collaboration with a plastic surgeons and a dermatologist.

By Carleen Murone, Owner of Imaging Wellness Spa in Cape Coral, Florida

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UNMAZED MAGAZINE,