Check out Change to Chill at this great Dakota County event!
A new program is helping students in Minnesota and Wisconsin manage their stress.
It’s called Change To Chill and this year Allina Health selected nine high schools to participate.
Students learn to “chill” at RFHS
River Falls High School is one of nine area high schools chosen to be part of Allina’s new “Change to Chill” school partnership.
The Change to Chill partnership is meant to support school-wide efforts to create a culture of mental wellbeing for students and staff.
“When teens have the resources and support to stress less, they are more resilient and able to live fuller and happier lives,” said Susan Nygaard, manager of Allina Health’s Community Health Improvement. “Change to Chill works as a preventive measure to equip teens with tools and resources to better manage stress and anxiety.”
“RFHS was lucky to receive a grant for ‘Change To Chill’ which partners with Allina Health,” said River Falls Renaissance Academy Director Taryl Graetz. “In our Youth Risk Behavior Survey students participated in last spring, students indicated some concern about increased anxiety and stress.”
Read the full story at www.riverfallsjournal.com.
Getting Stressed Out Students to ‘Change to Chill’
High school can be a stress minefield. From sports, homework and activities… to the ever-present cellphones and social media, it’s not a huge shock that teens are stressed.
“Unfortunately, it is a growing problem,” says Susan Nygaard, a Community Health Improvement Manager with Allina Health.
Nygaard says Allina Health conducts community health assessments that consistently find stress as a top health concern for teens and their families. A few years ago, the company launched a website and created the Change to Chill campaign aimed at tackling the growing mental health crisis. For the 2018-2019 school year, Allina is partnering with nine select schools – including Coon Rapids High School – to turn the tide.
For more on this story, click here.
KSTP 5 Eyewitness News: Program Aims to Help High School Students Manage Stress
One of those schools is Hopkins High School.
“It’s really nice that we have this opportunity,” said Nimo Gelle, a senior at Hopkins High School.
The web-based program aims to help students manage stress and find balance.
“It definitely prepared me a lot more for senior year,” said Karina Lara Isiordia, a senior at Hopkins High School.
Allina Health explored this idea after receiving community feedback.
“In 2013 and 2016, the community brought forward some needs regarding mental health specifically with teens in our community,” said Kaila Jordan, MPH, Allina Health Change to Chill coordinator.
Allina Health officials say that the most recent Minnesota student survey shows there was an increase in student stress, anxiety and depression.
“Every day we’re working with students who are telling us that they’re stressed out about something,” said Kelly Richey, Hopkins High School social worker.
That’s why schools like Hopkins High School are using simple exercises and themed days to help with all stress levels during Change to Chill Week.
To read more, click here.
CIHS to benefit from Change to Chill program
Through a partnership between Allina Health and the Cambridge-Isanti School District, the high school will benefit from the Allina Health’s Change to Chill program for the 2018-2019 school year. Read more here.
‘Change to Chill’ will be implemented this year at Hopkins High
Hopkins High School is one of nine high schools, and the only high school in Hennepin County, to be awarded the Change to Chill School Partnership. To learn more about Hopkins’ involvement in Change to Chill and teen mental well-being, read the article.
Change to Chill in New Ulm
As spring heats up, Allina Health and New Ulm Public Schools are planning ways to chill out. Learn more here.
Change to Chill on Kare 11
Allina Health child and teen psychologist, Dr. Brian Kovach, shares ways to help teenagers manage stress, as well as promotes Allina Health’s Change to Chill program to help teens keep calm.
The Chiller Challenge for teens to ‘chillax’
Chillers are visuals that help teens and their peers slow down and step back from stress. The Chiller Challenge is a contest that gives teens the opportunity to create the next Chillers for the Change to Chill website.
Allina Health psychologist, Lisa Herman, Psy.D., L.P., joined KARE 11 News @ 4 to explain more about the Challenge.
Click here to watch the news segment.
Girl Scouts River Valley Host Change to Chill Overnight
Once again, Allina Health is proud to partner with Girl Scouts River Valley. This year, in addition to Health Powered Kids patches that can be earned, Girl Scouts can attend the first ever Change to Chill overnight and earn a Change to Chill patch!
[Girl Scouts – Friday, August 18th, 2017] Everyone gets stressed – but you can learn simple tips and tricks to get perspective on things that matter. Start your school year off right with Girl Scouts River Valleys and Change to Chill by Allina Health! Learn stress-busting techniques, practice chilling out with mandalas and art journaling, and chill with your friends at this super fun overnight event! Get your adrenaline rush on the high ropes and rock climbing, then wind-down with some yoga before bed.
Girls will earn the Allina Health Change to Chill patch. Dinner and breakfast included.
To learn more about this event, click here.
To learn more about patches that can be earned through Health Powered Kids, click here.
