The purpose of this research presentation is to discuss school-age child mental health priorities. Researcher will provide the challenges faced by school nurses in Kentucky and the impact on children related to education and learning gaps. The aim is to engage attendees in advocating for school nurses in every Kentucky public school all day, every day. Researcher will discuss evidence-based practice stress reduction and coping strategies to optimize school-age child learning. Researcher will further discuss the roles of school nurses, such as educators, counsellors, mediators, providing mental health resources, performing health screenings, and making health referrals to optimize child health. The researcher will explain how school nurses are vital in bridging learning gaps between educators, parents, and children at an early age to improve and optimize long-term outcomes. Bridging gaps may increase school-age child school attendance and manage chronic healthcare conditions promoting health. In addition, children who attain a good education will be able to generate more societal income for future growth. Children hold the future and nurse advocacy and research is needed to bridge knowledge and application gaps to benefit long-term outcomes in Kentucky.
Audience Take Away Notes:
- Identify 3 school-age stress reduction activities to enhance learning.
- Discuss how providing child stress reduction activities can bridge the gap between knowledge and application.
- Describe at least 2 way that stress reduction activities and mental health resources can optimize child health outcomes.