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N.Y.C. Council speaker calls on Mayor Eric Adams to resign; KY could do more to protect kids from accidental drug ingestion, shootings; OH food banks face fed funding uncertainty, DeWine budget cuts; Protesters say Trump administration actions 'cast aside democracy.'

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On a Middle East visit, Sen. Richard Blumenthal rejects a Gaza takeover. President's Day protests erupt around the country against White House moves, and another aviation accident draws attention to recent FAA cuts.

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Rural America struggles with opioids and homelessness in unexpected ways, Colorado's Lariat Ditch could help spur local recreation, and book deliveries revive rural communities hit by Hurricane Helene.

Doctors: Prioritize mental health for Montana school kids

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Wednesday, 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.

Disclosure: UnitedHealthcare contributes to our fund for reporting on Health Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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