- Behavioral Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIn the wake of tragic events involving school shootings in our country, school safety has become a top concern for parents, children and school officials. The conversation around school safety has become an important topic that can at times seem scary, yet necessary to have. The sense of fear and worry about being safe at school is real —children want to feel safe at school. However, what happens when your child expresses daily worry and fear about going to school? What do you tell your child to give them a sense of comfort and security to help him or her have a normal school day? When children hear about events involving a school shooting on the news or on social media, each child will react differently. Some children will not show concern or fear and will continue with normal daily activities. Some children may develop a sense of anxiety about going back to school. An anxious child may start to wonder, “Will this happen at my school?” or, “If there is a school shooting, what will happen to me?” Children may show their anxiety in a variety of ways such as refusing to go to school; complaining of stomachaches or headaches so they can stay home; frequently visiting the school nurse; and being less focused in class because they are watchful of the door, window, or a particular student in the classroom. If you notice that your child is expressing this type of anxiety, here are some ways to ease his or her fears and help your child feel safe again. Listen to your child It is important to listen to your child if he or she is worried about going to school. Ask your child about school, including their daily routine, classes, and other students or teachers that make him or her anxious. Younger children like to use drawings or paintings to express their feelings. Sit down and have art time with them to help them communicate what they are feeling. Acknowledge that the anxiety exists and feel free to ask questions about what you can do to help. This can include talking to teachers, counselors and administrators so both you and your child are aware of safety procedures at school. Have open and honest conversations When children hear about school shootings or threats of a shooting, they will have questions. If children come to you with questions about school safety, have an age appropriate conversation with them about their feelings. Younger children may express more worry about themselves and will have broader questions due to lack of full understanding. With younger elementary school children, you should leave out details but answer any questions they may have. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), psychologists who work in the area of trauma and recovery suggest to be honest and let children know that bad things do happen. But even though you cannot always stop bad things from happening, children should know that school is still safe. Older children may have more specific questions and worry about the possibility of an active shooter at school. Even if the conversation makes you nervous, talk to your child about a safety plan. This plan should include how you will communicate with each other if an active shooter event occurs. Even though the risk may be low, having a safety plan in place increases a sense of safety. Let children know that administrators, teachers, counselors, and school resource officers work hard each day to make sure that school is a safe place and the risk of harm to students is low. READ MORE: Safeguard your child against cyberbullying Cut down on news and social media Always hearing about or seeing negative events increases anxiety for both children and adults. Research shows that some younger children believe the events are happening again each time they see a replay of the news footage. Children who frequently hear about negative events can experience more anxiety that leads to a snowball effect of worries. If possible, limit the amount of news and social media your child accesses. Sit down as a family and talk to your child about his or her day and things that happened during the day. Have family time away from the television and internet so children can come to you as a source of information instead of relying on coverage from the media. Support the desire for change For middle school and high school students, the sense of anxiety may leave them feeling helpless. They may even feel a sense of anger because they think the school administration is not doing enough to keep them safe. Encourage your child to write letters to the school principal or state government officials to express his or her concerns about school safety. Support your child with joining student government organizations so he or she can be a voice for change. When children are able to take a proactive stance on change, they will feel they have a voice that needs to be heard and are more likely to attend school daily to express their point of view. For more information, visit the American Psychological Association’s website. Author Jennifer Williams (Walton), MA, LPC, LCPC, is a mental health professional at Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Mental Health Specialists, located in Annapolis. To reach her, call 410-573-9000. Ask questions, find resources and learn more at askAAMC.org/HealthyMinds.0
- Location232416tel:(410) 271-01171997 Annapolis Exchange Pkwy, Ste 300, Annapolis, MD 214010
- Behavioral Health, News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) marked a milestone today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of its new mental health hospital, which will officially open its doors to patients late March. Attendees included AAMC leadership, community members, patients, donors and public officials. “The J. Kent McNew Family Medical Center will be an important part of our work to care for the whole person while they are receiving inpatient and outpatient mental health services,” said Victoria Bayless, CEO of Luminis Health. “We are thankful to our long-time supporters of this project, our generous donors, the state of Maryland and Anne Arundel County, and our dedicated behavioral health team for support in bringing this project to fruition.” READ MORE: Anne Arundel Medical Center partners with Sheppard Pratt Health System to provide mental health and addiction services “This is an important day for our community,” said Sherry Perkins, president of AAMC. “Together, we have worked diligently and passionately to bring our region the mental health care and services it needs and truly deserves. We are proud of this milestone in our journey to deliver the care our community members need, when and where they need it.” “Cutting the ribbon on the J. Kent McNew Family Medical Center signifies the start of our vision of an integrated behavioral campus coming to life,” said Eric Anderson, MD, medical director of the McNew Medical Center. “When we started on this path more than four years ago, we set out to address the gaps in mental health care. What emerged was a commitment to delivering state-of-the-art, patient- and family-centered care in a safe, calming and comforting environment.” The J. Kent McNew Family Medical Center is located in Annapolis off Riva Road next to Pathways, AAMC’s substance use and co-occurring disorder treatment facility. The 16-bed facility will care for up to 900 patients a year who would otherwise be transferred out of the area. The campus offers: Inpatient mental health care A psychiatric partial hospitalization program Intensive outpatient programs Residential and outpatient substance use services Referral and care coordination to community-based treatment and support services The McNew Medical Center is not an emergency facility and cannot receive walk-in patients. Patients are admitted to the inpatient unit upon referral from a hospital’s emergency department when a patient has presented voluntarily or on an emergency petition, has received an emergency psychiatric assessment, and has met criteria for admission. The 56,000 square foot, four-story building was designed with both safety and aesthetics in mind for the care of patients and families. The new facility includes a courtyard, patient and family lounge space, a secure ambulance bay to allow for the safe transfer of new patients into the building, a meditation room and a community conference room.0
- General Page Tier 3BlogThe brain is the body’s control center that is working day and night. As a result, it requires fuel to keep functioning. By eating higher quality foods — containing a lot of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants — your brain can better protect itself from oxidative stress, or the waste products produced by your metabolism. On the flip side, eating a lot of processed or refined foods can displace other nutrients and be harmful to your brain. High-sugar, high-fat and high-salt foods cause inflammation. For example, eating a lot of sugar and refined carbohydrates worsens your body’s regulation of insulin. Multiple studies found a link between a diet high in refined sugars and impaired brain function. This included a worsening of mood disorders, such as depression. Here are some of the most studied problems caused by a poor diet that researchers have linked to mental health issues: Chronic low-grade inflammation. This is caused by lifestyle factors, including poor diet, smoking, lack of sleep and psychological stress. And it has been observed in people with depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Elevated oxidative stress. Patients with depression experience this. Many people with a mental illness have lower levels of antioxidants in their system compared to control groups. Brain plasticity. Some research shows healthy dietary patterns improve brain plasticity, or the capacity of the brain to change with learning throughout life. Gastrointestinal microbiota. There is a link between mental illness and “gut flora,” or the microbe population living in our digestive tracts. When inflammation starts in the gut, paired with a poor combination of nutrients that affect the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ bacteria ratio, it can in turn cause brain inflammation. Ultimately, this causes our brain cells to die. Studies have shown that people taking probiotics have improved their anxiety levels, perception of stress and mental outlook. Mental illness is a top cause of global disability, and the problem continues to grow. Mental health is complex, and if you’re experiencing a problem you should work with a professional on a well-rounded solution. Learn more about the J. Kent McNew Family Medical Center, a 16-bed mental health hospital for adults opening in March. Nutritional psychiatry supports the role of diet in mental health, and its potential role as a modifiable risk factor for mental illness. Some of the nutrients identified – such as magnesium, vitamin D, zinc, omega 3, b-vitamins and probiotics – are prevalent in a Mediterranean diet. The Mediterranean diet is high in vegetables, fruits, unprocessed grains, fish and seafood, with modest amounts of lean meats and dairy. They are also void of processed foods, which are staples of the Western diet. If you’re interested in seeing how food affects your mood, start keeping a food record. Jot down how eating different foods make you feel, not just in the moment, but the next day. Make positive changes and compare how you feel . Your body — and brain — will benefit. Authors Ann Caldwell and Maureen Shackelford are nutritionists and registered dietitians at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach them, call 443-481-5555. Originally published Dec. 3, 2018. Last updated Feb. 10, 2020.0
- Behavioral Health, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAs families continue to adjust to the “new normal” of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, both parents and children may feel anxiety and fear. The boundaries between work, school and home have gotten fuzzy, often leading to emotional burnout. It’s important to remember this whole situation is new for everyone. There is no right way to get everything done. With so much change and uncertainty, it’s more important than ever for parents to take care of their mental health so they can continue to laugh, have fun and appreciate every family moment. Here are some tips on how to stay positive while juggling a full schedule. Prioritize self-care: There will be a lot of unknowns this year, so it’s important to remain calm and remember to breathe when dealing with the unexpected. Each day, take time to do at least one thing that’s just for you. That could mean taking a few minutes in the morning before everyone wakes up to enjoy the quiet, mediate, write in a journal, read a book or watch your favorite television show. Be flexible: Keep an open mind, especially when it comes to virtual learning. If you don’t stress over changes, your child will be less likely to stress. Have a daily routine: While flexibility is key, it’s still important for parents to set and maintain a daily routine during the hours that school is not is in session. Even if the plan needs to change, having a road map for your day will make it more manageable. Set boundaries: If possible, have separate spaces for work, school and relaxation. No parent wants to feel like they are living at work, and no child wants to feel like they are living at school. Having designated spaces for each part of your life will make it easier for everyone to stay focused when they need to focus, and relax when it’s time to relax. Stay in the loop: Don’t be afraid to communicate with your child’s teacher about how they are doing in school. Teachers can offer amazing tips on how your child can stay engaged with school virtually. Staying informed will help both you and your child be less anxious. Have a support system: Ask for help. Many parents all over the country are trying to work, take care of their households, and make sure their children are doing well with virtual learning. It’s not easy, and some days, the whole family may need one big cry and one big hug. Everyone is in this together. Parents set the tone for how children will respond to a virtual learning experience. The calmer and more positive you are, the more excited your child will be about jumping into that virtual school day. Author Jennifer Williams, MA, LPC, LCPC, is a mental health professional at Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Mental Health Specialists, located in Annapolis. To reach her, call 410-573-9000.0
How can we help?
Common Searches
Common Searches
Log in with MyChart
Access personalized site features & view your health records.
Learn more about MyChartDon’t have a MyChart account?
Your Account
View your Dashboard
Messages
Billing Summary
Find Care
Schedule Appointment
My Care Team
My Record
Appointments
Medications
Insurance Summary
Log in with MyChart
Access personalized site features & view your health records.
Learn more about MyChartDon’t have a MyChart account?