If devoting an hour a week of
your time could result in a student
in the Public Schools of Robeson
County not only remaining in
school but also enjoy ing a whole
new outlook on education and I ife.
wouldn't you consider making that
contribution? That's pretty much
what the Mentoring Program that
is gearing up for another year of
operation when the new school
year gets underway on August 6
is all about. Last week's banquet
had as participants not only leaders
in the program but also some
people who had already gone
through the mentoring training session
and were prepared to get involved
with their assigned
mentees.
For those of you who may not
be familiar with the program, it's important
to understand that becoming
a mentor doesn't mean that you
necessarily have to help the student
academically although it may
mean helping the mentee to get organized
and keeping him or her in
school. It could also help them
graduate and evaluate educational
choices. A mentor is a listener, a
friend, a coach, a guide, and a
helper. The mentor is not a foster
parent, a Ms. or Mr. Fix-it, a regisI
dressing appropriately. How to set
goals would also be useful to the
mentee.
Mentors' knowledge, experience
and guidance can help the mentee
see new possibilities by pointing
out. demonstrating, and explaining
actions that ofTer the best chances
for success. It's a matter of helping
mentees see and strive for broader
horizons than they are able to currently
see.
The result is that studies indicate
that at schools with mentoring programs.
attendance improved by
25%: academics and grades improved
by 59%: disciplinary referrals
were reduced by 66%; and the
overall dropout rate was reduced
by 50%. There appears to be no
doubt that mentoring can be an
important tool: in the improvement
of education of a school.
Obviously, the availability of
mentors is the key to success for
the program. The goal of our program
is to enroll 50 mentors who,
after training, will be paired with
students who have been selected
through our Student Management
Services Team process, in cooperation
with the students' parents, to
be a part of the program. It's then a
matter of matching mentees with
tcred advice-giver, a cool peer, or a
parole officer. The mentor helps the
nientee develop life skills- things
that mav be as simple as teaching
them how to shake hands, conduct
introductions or demonstrate other
social skills, fie or she can teach
students about personal qualities
needed for holding a job such as
punctuality, dependability, and
the mentors who could serve them
best.
It all starts, though, with people
who would be willing to contribute
an hour a week to the program and
the first step is to contact Dr. Rona
Leach at (910)671 -6000 ext. 268 for
more information. Do it today and
join others who have already
signed up to help.
I Pediatric Pointers I
by Dr. Joey Bell, Pembroke Pediatrics
YOUTH SUICIDE
This is noi a topic that people are excited talking about, but it is an
important one to address. Suicide is a major cause of death for teenagers
in the United States. The rate of suicides in our country ( and others) has
been on the rise over the past few decades. Here are some eye-opening
statistics from the Center for Disease Control:
* In the USA. suicide is responsible for more deaths than homicide.
* Daily in our country. 1500 people attempt to commit suicide and 86
people do. '
* Suicide is the third leading cause of death in the 15-24 year old age
group and sixth leading cause in the 5-14 year old age group.
* In the 5-14 year old age group the rate of suicide increased 100%
between 1980 and 1996.
* From 1979-1992 the suicide rates for Native Americans were 1.5
times the national rate. 64% of Native American suicides were males
ages 15-24.
* In 1997; 21% of US high school students had seriously thought
about a suicide attempt and 8% had actually attempted suicide.
I am not trying to scare you, but want to raise awareness regarding
adolescent suicide in our nation. It is so much of a concern that the U.S.
Surgeon General launched a national campaign last year to fight suicide.
Not all people provide warning signs, but many do. One problem is
these signs are often subtle and are easy to overlook. Some signs or risks
factors may include:
changes in eating and/or sleeping habits
* Social withdrawal
* Loss of interest in hobbies, recreation
* Violent/defiant behavior
Personality change
Decline in Quality of schoolwork
Threatening suicide
Giving away of possessions
Friends or acquaintances who have committed suicide
People who are depressed
Have access to a firearm
Are experiencing extreme stress due to life event like divorce or
separation
So, what do you do it you get concerned that your child is considering
suicide? We are often afraid to bring up the topic of suicide for fear of
planting the idea, or encouraging the act. This is a misconception; it is
better to address the concern than to ignore it. The CDC provides these
recommendations to help prevent suicide. For families and friends:
Be a good listener. If people express suicidal thoughts or feel depressed,
hopeless or worthless, be supportive. If negative reactions are
encountered let them know that you are there for them and are willing to
help NEVER ISSUE CHALLENGES OR DARES.
Stress that the person's life is important to you and others. Also, that
there death/suicide would be devastating to you and to others.
Express empathy and concern for people who express thoughts about
committing suicide. When you try to help, the individual may not be
willing to discuss their thoughts with you. Do not try to play down their
pain, depression, or hopelessness; respect it. Encourage them to talk to
someone.
Tell the person what behaviors have been concerning. Be specific.
This may start a dialog.
Know your resources, doctors, counselors, hotlines etc.
Restrict inappropriate access to firearms.
These are just some suggestions. If you are concerned that a child may
be considering suicide or at risk for a suicide attempt, then talk to your
child. Also, seek professional help from your family's health care provider,
school counselor, suicide hotline (1-800-SUIC1DE or 1-800-7842433).
minister, etc. These people should be able to help or get you into
contact with someone who is qualified to help.
"Pediatric Pointer"
Charlie Pulliam PA-S2
Duke University
6/2001
Wiping countertops frequently
with a nontoxic disinfectant
reduces the risk of spreading
food-related Illness.
MB ' " I
English engineer John
Smeaton, inspired by construction
methods of the ancient
Romans, mixed lime and clay to
create the basic form of cement
we use today.
Every
20 Seconds..
Osteoporosis
Causes a Fracture
HIP - Half of those who fracture
never walk independently again.
' SPINE - Causes posture change,
height loss, and often chronic pain.
" iZ ??^ IMi'H'
WRIST - Interrupts activities of
daily living and causes pain. i
^NATIONAL
OSTEOPOROSIS
FOUNDATION
" Ostnfxxuh S Promoting Sow
www.nol.org or 1-800-223-9994
C National Owtcoporoab Foundation 2001
I WANTED!"
Persons willing to help a Native
American business.
Help by using your credit card
to purchase 300 bestseller
money booklets, "How lb Have
Extra Money All The Time".
Total cost: $1785 plus NC tax.
Give them for Christmas, birthday,
wedding gifts or sell at flea
markets, yard sales, or as
fundraising for your church or
school. You will draw monthly
from a Rebate Fund already set
up. Limit: $35,000 per month.
For more information by mail,
call 910-521-7314 or write:
WFCPrcss-STW, Box 3187,
J 1 Pembroke. NC 28372.
Why we're doctors
for the Locklears.
Thomas Locklear:
"I can get my annual physical.
They have dermatology services to treat
any skin problem. They do their cam .
X-rays and lab work. And they accept A
all kinds of insurance."
Matthew Locklear:
"I can get all my forms
filled out for baseball."
Grandma Locklear:
"I can make sure my
diabetes stays in check-and 1
keep my allergies from m
slowing me down."
Zoe Locklear:
"I can get my yearly exam. Plus, the kids
can see the same doctor. I can get nutritional
infomiationfor the whole family."
Elizabeth Locklear:
"I can go to the fitness center
with my mom."
Grandpa Locklear:
"I can keep my cholesterol
k and blood pressure
L under control."
If there's one thing the Locklears believe in, if s getting
the proper health care. If there's one thing they don't
believe in, ifs driving all over the place to do it.
Thaf s the reason they come to a FirstHealth Family
Care Center. And maybe ifs the reason you should bring
your family here, too.
We're the place to go for all your family's health care,
from the youngest to the oldest. In many cases our family
practice physicians can even perform procedures you'd
normally have to see another specialist for, such
as dermatology or women's services. And we're
backed up by the entire FirstHealth network of hospitals,
specialists and other health care professionals.
So the next time you need health care for your
family, make an appointment at a FirstHealth Family
Care Center near you.
r
FirstHealth
FAMILY CARE CENTERS ^
www.firsthealth.org
For up appointment at the FirstHealth Family Care Center in Pembroke, call 521-6029.