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Tag: COVID-19

The Effects of COVID-19 on Students’ Mental Health

For the last two years, nearly everyone has somehow been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. School-aged children are no exception. Studies have shown that mental health struggles brought on by the pandemic appear to be the most common affliction for them. 

LET’S DIVE INTO THE NUMBERS 

The American Psychological Association conducted a study of 107 high school students to assess the extent of any mental health struggles they may have experienced. This survey concluded that students of various ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds reported they had experienced some degradation in their mental health.

  • 77.4% of White students
  • 53.6% of Asian students
  • 50% of Black students

This data makes it clear that the impact of the pandemic has been far-reaching and unpredictable. 

WHAT ARE PARENTS NOTICING? 

In April 2022, NPR and Ipsos asked parents if they had seen symptoms of mental illness or other behavior changes in their child(ren). Parents reported they had seen an increase in anxiety, depression, learning disabilities, and attention disorders in their children.  

  • Increase in Anxiety: 19% 
  • Increase in Depression: 12% 
  • Increase in ADHD: 9% 
  • Increase in Another mental or emotional health issue: 6% 
  • Increase in A learning disability: 5% 

With the increase in symptoms parents are seeing, 73% of parents admitted that their child would benefit from mental health counseling and 78% believe social and emotional wellness programs are beneficial. 

WHAT SHOULD EDUCATORS BE LOOKING FOR? 

While specific mental health issues can present in various ways, many symptoms can overlay. Consult with a school counselor, nurse, or administrator and the student’s parents if you observe one or more of the following behaviors:

  • Feeling very sad or withdrawn for more than two weeks
  • Intense worries or fears that get in the way of daily activities
  • Extreme difficulty concentrating or staying still that puts the student in physical danger or causes problems in the classroom
  • Severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships
  • Drastic changes in the student’s behavior or personality

WHAT CAN SCHOOLS DO TO HELP? 

Educators can often be the first people to notice the signs of mental health issues. It is important that schools find ways to support the mental health of all students, not just individual students who may exhibit behavioral issues. In March 2022, the Department of Health and Human Services shared a list of School-Based Mental Health Services resources that included everything from early care to emergency response.  

By making a few changes and bringing awareness to teachers, staff, and administrators schools can create a space that cares for the emotional well-being of students that extends beyond the classroom. Here are a few things you can do to make that happen:

  • Educate staff, parents, and students on symptoms of and options for help with mental health problems
  • Teach and reinforce positive behaviors and decision-making
  • Promote social and emotional competency and build resilience
  • Help ensure access to school-based mental health supports 
  • Recognize when young people are at risk for or are experiencing mental health problems
  • Identify how to intervene early and appropriately when there are problems

It is evident that COVID-19 has had extensive impacts on so many of our lives. The upheaval of the academic structure has been difficult for kids, and as teachers and students return to the classroom, it is vital that awareness of these mental health issues and the indicating behaviors are at the forefront.

May 10, 2022
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Webinar: Successful Strategies for Thermal Screening on Campus

Webinar on November 19: Successful Strategies for Thermal Screening on Campus

Protecting the health and well-being of your students, staff, and visitors is getting more and more complex with each passing school year. In 2020, we added the need for body temperature screening to the already long list of necessary safety initiatives. 

Thermal imaging systems have been proven to accurately measure surface skin temperature without being physically intrusive. But, it’s critical they are installed and used correctly.

Join Eagle Eye Networks and nSide for our upcoming webinar,  “Proven Thermal Screening Practices for Safer Schools” on Thursday, November 19 at 9 a.m. CT to discover:  

REGISTER NOW

Can’t make it? Register and you will receive a recording of the webinar once it is over.

November 12, 2020
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nSide Newsletter 2020-Q2

nSide Newsletter 2020-Q2

Every quarter, we send out the best of what we’ve done here at nSide. This recap covers even more ground than usual, as we’ve found ourselves pushing the limits to what we can achieve as a team. After extensive testing, our latest technologies have been presented to take your school’s safety measures to the next level. Our platform continues to evolve amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, so we have offered up what we know to be the smartest and most efficient solutions. In the wake of this outbreak, our team has been assessing and providing every resource possible to support your needs. We hope that by unifying these tools into our platform, you might be able to rest in the assurance that nSide is your one-stop solution for any school safety concern.

Our team is always here to assist you in emergency situations, and we recognize that this quarter is unique to experiences that we’ve had in recent years. However, there is much to celebrate in your school’s immediate response and care for students! We will continue to find innovative ways to build up this community and provide you with relevant, accurate information to come. As always, growth is great! Below you can find an assortment of our latest news and most engaged social media posts from March leading up to June. If you have any questions about these updates, please don’t hesitate to contact us at help@nside.io. Thanks for spending this quarter with us!

New Technologies

Surveillance – We are proud to announce that we are now partnered with Verkada to bring your school the latest in video surveillance technology and emergency planning. Every K-12 public school in Alabama has access to and utilizes nSide – The School Safety Platform. Now, all of your video surveillance cameras can be viewed in one platform for sharing with other school officials, law enforcement, E-911 and emergency responders! These video surveillance cameras can also integrate with your existing maps and floor plans. We can perform an assessment of your school’s camera needs and let you personally experience the additional layer of protection this system provides for faculty, staff, and students.

Mobile WiFi – In addition to our new video surveillance technology, we are also offering a Mobile Wifi Solution! We hope to provide your students with the best opportunity for distance learning, as we recognize that every school district across the state can benefit from easily accessible hotspots. This new solution can be installed on school buses or at any specific location that your administrators deem necessary. Our goal is to save you time by providing speedy technologies and connectivity that makes e-learning a breeze, all while unifying systems together in one platform. As always, we at nSide believe that ensuring a safe learning environment is top priority to guarantee the health and success of all students, and we are here to help.

Blog Posts

Top Reminders

As you prep for the new school year, you might notice the sections in the EOP page are now yellow. These are reset on July 1, 2020. The yellow shading on the EOP and the Notice button indicates it is time for your annual EOP review. If the Notice button also has a specific entry, you will need to address that issue along with the review. The green shading on the EOP means that it is up to date for the current school year. As always, let us know if we can help!

Top Tweets

Top Instagram Posts

Beautiful day for mounting a Point-to-Point connection with the new Verkada 4K Cameras! We’re wrapping up on the Notasulga High School football field.

A little throwback from Decatur’s Lockdown training!

Our team has been out mapping Houston County Schools for our latest partnership! We are so thrilled with the beginnings of this project.
July 1, 2020
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Pandemic Planning for Your Community

Pandemic Planning for Your Community

In the wake of this outbreak, many of us have begun asking questions about our role in COVID-19 awareness and prevention. As a school safety company, the nSide team is always here to help communities amid crisis situations. We understand that this is a concerning and stressful time for many, so we’ve put together a review of CDC recommendations that is applicable to both school systems and community members alike.

As of today (March 24, 2020 at 3:00 pm), there are 44,183 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the US, and 196 confirmed cases in the state of Alabama. Click here to see the coordinating list of confirmed cases, per county, in Alabama. 

List of symptoms and emergency warning signs provided by the CDC:

These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure (based on the incubation period of MERS-CoV viruses).

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath

If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include*:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion or inability to arouse
  • Bluish lips or face

Household Planning

Along with awareness of symptoms, the CDC recommends creating a household plan. In the event that you or someone you live with falls ill, it’s best to be prepared in advance. Designate a sick room or space, where you can safely quarantine with low risk of physical contact with others. It’s suggested that two weeks worth of over the counter medications and food are stocked, along with a process for having food delivered if possible. Guidelines also advise arranging any needs for communication among friends and family, as well as organizing childcare plans if needed. In addition to preparing your surroundings, it is necessary to take proper care of emotional health and communicate with others if you begin to feel a decline take place. Isolation due to quarantine can lead to anxious or depressive moods, so establishing emotional support is equally as important as assembling your household plan.These strategies are simple in nature but far-reaching in any effort to care for your home.

In addition to this, the CDC recommends we actively engage in social distancing. Many of us are in current practice of this and abstain from groups of people or large gatherings of any sort. But if you’re wondering how much social distancing does for you and those around you, their guidance would encourage you to consider the rapid pace at which coronavirus has spread. It is never our desire to evoke fear or panic for anyone, however we do recognize that grasping the communicable nature of this illness is a crucial element to pandemic planning. Maintaining this practice and limiting physical contact is one of the most significant things you can do to support any plan. As unfortunate as it feels at times, social distancing is in fact the best way to care for your friends and loved ones right now.

Pandemic Planning for Schools

The CDC also stresses that pandemic planning be assessed as seriously as the day-to-day management of warning signs. Remaining informed about the local coronavirus situation is one of the most critical steps that your schools can take to properly recover from this pandemic. With oncoming news and school closures extending each day, maintaining awareness and a consistent stream of communication with your team is a foundational piece of your school’s plan of action.

Likewise, it’s essential that your faculty continues to communicate with households as often as they receive new information. Once ensured that information is factual and from a reliable source, it needs to be distributed as quickly and sensitively as possible among guardians. In crafting this circle of communication among school communities, you have the opportunity to effectively carry out a culture for school safety within your district.

Finally, as you aim to respond and recover from this event, the students and children in your home should remain the central concern. Adjusting to a new routine and new learning experience can be difficult for many children to take on. As any educator knows, a large portion of caring for students goes beyond their education. Partnering with public health officials to maintain health and meal services for students, while publicly announcing the implementation of these projects, will bolster the support system for many students at home.

Our team is always here to assist you in emergency situations, and we recognize that this pandemic is unique to any experience we’ve had in recent years. Although we can’t be sure of what’s to come, our priority for maintaining your school’s safety is unwavering. We will continue seeking innovative ways to build up this community and provide you with relevant, accurate information to come. As always, if we can be of further assistance to you please feel free to reach out at help@nside.io. If there is anything else we can do to help you cope with these transitions, please do not hesitate to connect with our team.

Links to Relevant Resources

Last week, we released links to our S2:E1 Podcast, School Pandemic Resources Page, Pandemic Planning Assessment, and Public Health Planning folders within the nSide platform. These resources are available with the intent to guide your next-steps and encourage you along the way. We ask that you contact us at resources@nside.io for any questions or additional materials you might find helpful!

March 24, 2020
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