By Mark Moran - Producer-Editor, Contact - Supported by/Underwritten
Big Sky Connection - Medical checkups are at the top of the list for Montana kids returning to school – and that includes mental health and wellness screenings. Doctors say wellness checks are becoming an increasingly important item on the list of back-to-school necessities. Comments from Dr. Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer, United Healthcare.
Click on the image above for the audio. The latest data show 1 in 3 young females report symptoms of a mental health disorder, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)
Mark Moran
August 14, 2024 - Montana's 166,000 students are headed back to the classroom soon. Beyond the typical school supplies like pencils, notebooks and backpacks, doctors say health and wellness are equally important.
Dr. Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer and executive vice president of UnitedHealthcare Employer and Individual, herself a family physician, said establishing normal routines for kids at home and scheduling wellness visits can help make for a successful school year.
Nowadays, she pointed out it is equally important to talk to kids about their mental health and prioritize it as kids return to the classroom.
"It's become very routine now for pediatricians and family physicians to ask children about their mental well-being," Randall observed. "That can be a sensitive topic, so showing that you're open, that you have empathy."
The National Library of Medicine reported nearly 20% of children aged 3-17 in the United States have been diagnosed with a mental, emotional, developmental or behavioral disorder. And the most recent data show suicidal behaviors among high school students have increased more than 40%. The numbers worsened most during the pandemic.
Randall added routine dental, hearing and eye exams are also important and scheduling appointments before school begins can make a big difference for kids of all ages.
"Our comprehensive health is not just the absence of having a disease," Randall emphasized. "Staying healthy really sets you up for a good school year."
Online screen time is another concern for school kids. UnitedHealthcare data show teens who spend more than three hours a day on social media face twice the risk of developing a mental health issue.
| Best Practices | Disclosure interest | References |
