As children start the school year, they may be excited about their new backpack, lunch box and outfits. But what about making sure your child is feeling physically healthy and ready to conquer any anxiety issues?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Spira Care Liberty Physician Dr. Cooper Stewart and Behavioral Health Consultant Harley Hawkins are sharing tips that parents need to help kids take care of their health as they begin a new school year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reducing screen time<\/a> is also important, according to Dr. Stewart, who recommends no more than two hours of screen time per day to help kids feel their best at school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cChange for anybody, including adults and children, is a difficult thing,\u201d Dr. Stewart said. \u201cSchool is a big time for changes for kids. There are lots of new things happening. Sometimes with those changes some mood changes can come, like anxiety. Be on the lookout for subtle changes in your child\u2019s behavior in which they are not acting quite like themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)<\/a> says anxiety disorders for kids can begin in elementary school or earlier and significantly impair a child\u2019s ability to function at their optimal level in the classroom. The AAP reports<\/a><\/a> that the incidence of anxiety has risen tremendously over the past decade and now affects up to 30% of adolescents. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1 in 5 U.S. children<\/a> ages 3-17 has a mental, emotional, behavioral or developmental disorder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At Spira Care, behavioral health consultants partner with patients\u2019 primary care providers to support them through life\u2019s challenges, health concerns or new diagnoses and transitions at all stages of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City members with a health plan that includes Spira Care have exclusive access to nine Kansas City area Spira Care centers1<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With the arrival of back-to-school season, schedule appointments at Spira Care to check these items off your family\u2019s to-do list:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wellness visits are always at no additional cost2<\/sup> at Spira Care Centers. With flexible scheduling options and appointment availability3<\/sup>, the Spira Care team will work to find times that fit your family\u2019s schedule. Call 913-29-SPIRA (77472) to schedule an appointment. To learn more, go to SpiraCare.com\/patientresources<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Department. In case of a mental health emergency, call or text 988.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1<\/sup>Health plans with exclusive access to Spira Care are available through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 2<\/sup>For costs and further details of the coverage, including exclusions, any reductions or limitations and the terms under which the policy may be continued in force, members can contact their insurance producer or write Blue KC.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 3<\/sup>Appointment availability varies based on demand and capacity at each Care Center location on any given day.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\r\n\t\t\tTwo types of anxieties that might impact students<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Five tips from Hawkins to improve mental health at school<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Preparing for back-to-school with Spira Care<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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