Hi Friends,
Hope you can stop by at Proviso East High School.
The exhibit will be open during school hours. (8am-4 pm)
PEHS: 807 S 1st Ave, Maywood, IL 60153

The theme for this year's 12th annual health fair was "Eat Right, Live Right, Feel Right." During this two-day event, Proviso East High School (PEHS) students visited more than 50 interactive booths set up in the gym.  

The Proviso Partners for Health booth was staffed by Deniene Willis, who spoke to the Proviso East students about PP4H’s roll in the community. She also encouraged student’s interest in urban gardening /PP4H’s Giving garden and the Community Leadership Academy. Ann Andreoni, PP4H District 89 Wellness leader, was at the health fair supervising Loyola nursing students who staffed many of the health booths.  

Other booth topics included healthy eating, avoiding risky behaviors such as e-cig vaping, countering myths about marijuana, and the value of immunizations. Students were especially interested “Stop the Bleed”, a booth that used simulated bloody limbs to demonstrate how to apply an emergency tourniquet using materials on hand such as backpack straps, clothing, and shoe laces. The social and emotional needs of young people were addressed through booths on stress reduction, recognizing signs of suicide risk, and how to combat cyber bullying.

Proviso East HS Health Fair on March 27 and 28 Brings Together PEHS Students, Community Agencies and Loyola University Students to Promote Health!
The theme for this year's annual health fair is "Eat Right, Live Right, Feel Right." The goal is to give young people the knowledge and skills they need to make healthy choices in a fun and engaging way. 
During this two-day event, Proviso East High School (PEHS) students visit interactive booths set up in the gym during their scheduled PE, ROTC, or freshman health classes. Loyola nursing, dietetic, social work and medical students, as well as community agencies, staff the booths.
For the past several years, PEHS students from freshman health and driver’s education classes have worked alongside Loyola students to highlight different adolescent health topics.  
The popularity of the annual health fair has grown over the years.  This year we expect nearly 50 booths with more than 20 community partners to be represented.   Virtually all PEHS students visit the health fair and then provide feedback on what they have learned.

The fourth week in January is National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week.  This is a good time to talk with your teen about drug and alcohol use and share your family’s values for prevention. There are many resources in the community which can help with these issues. These include Youth Outreach Services (www.yos.org) and the behavioral health team at Loyola’s School-Based clinic located within Proviso East High School (www.loyolasbhc.org).

No one knows for sure how many teens in our community have tried tobacco, marijuana, alcohol or other drugs, but we know that substance use among teens is widespread. The national Monitoring the Future Survey of High School Youth in 2018 reported that cigarette use is at its lowest point, but a third of teens have tried vaping in the last year. Vaping, using heavily marketed products such as Juul and e-cigarettes, is the newest way teens become addicted to nicotine products. Marijuana use is also common among older teens nationwide. About a third of 12th graders report using marijuana in the last year and 6 % use marijuana daily. Frequent marijuana use can be harmful to an adolescent’s developing brain.

Alcohol remains the most commonly used drug nationwide. Among 8th graders, 23% have tried alcohol while 40% of 10th graders and 58% of 12th graders report using alcohol in the last year. The good news is that despite the opioid epidemic among adults, misuse of prescription drugs has dropped among 12th graders.  However, leaving prescription painkillers in medicine cabinets or on the dresser where kids can have easy access poses a risk.  Many people who become addicted to opioids began by using their own or a family member’s prescription drugs.

Parents need to be aware of signs of substance abuse so they can assist young people in getting help. Signs of substance use may include a middle or high school student behaving differently for no apparent reason—such as acting withdrawn, frequently tired or depressed, changing eating or sleeping patterns, changing grooming habits or becoming hostile and displaying poor relationships with family and friends. Some teens may lose interest in school, stop doing their favorite activities, or start hanging out with a different peer group. Adriane Van Zwoll, LCSW, a social worker at Loyola’s clinic within Proviso East High School cautions, “These signs could also indicate depression or other emotional difficulties.  Anxiety, depression and substance use are often related “.

What can parents, teachers and concerned community members do to prevent substance use among young people in Maywood and surrounding communities? First, be a role model of a healthy, drug- free lifestyle. Talk to your teen, even when it is uncomfortable. Research suggest that it is helpful to keep  communication channels open; encourage positive behaviors on a daily basis; negotiate emotional conflicts with teenagers so parents and teens can work together for a solution; set clear limits and make your expectations about drugs, tobacco and alcohol clear; and take the time to monitor your child’s behaviors.

However, substance abuse can occur in any family.  Use the resources in the school and community for help.  If you suspect that your teenager is depressed or using drugs, contact your child’s health care provider, District 89 or District 209 school social worker. Your child can be evaluated to see what help they may need.

The School-Based Health Center, located within Proviso East High School, is a full service primary care clinic operated by Loyola University Chicago School of Nursing and is a resource for students in the school. It is open to all enrolled students free of charge.

In addition to getting immunizations, school and sports physicals or treatment for common diseases, adolescents complete a confidential risk assessment and depression screening. If they have emotional or substance use needs, students are referred directly to a behavioral health provider within the clinic. Call 708 449 9522 for more information about Loyola’s heath services within the high school. 

To contact Youth Outreach Services, call 773 777 7112. For additional information about drug and alcohol facts and what you can do to prevent substance use, go to https://teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts