MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. 9/6/2018 —Allina Health's teen mental well-being program, Change to Chill, is partnering with a select group of area high schools that will receive hands-on support from Allina Health to implement Change to Chill. The partnership will foster school-wide efforts towards creating and nurturing a culture of mental well-being among students and staff. The Partnership kicks off with Chill Week, Sept. 10-14.
"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."
Mental health is a rising problem, especially in the teen population. According to 2016 MN Student Survey results, about 1 in 5 students indicated experiencing symptoms of depression. Ninth grade students who reported mental health concerns lasting six months or more increased from 12.5% in 2013 to 17.3% in 2016. And the percentage of 11th graders who said they seriously considered suicide in the past year increased from 9.7% in 2013 to 12.0% in 2016.
Change to Chill (http://www.changetochill.org/) is an online resource created by Allina Health that provides teens with unique and useful ideas to manage stress in a healthy way. Tested by teens, Change to Chill offers mindfulness concepts, resiliency techniques, deep breathing strategies and additional ways to help teens stress less, be healthier and happier, and better able to face life’s challenges.
The Change to Chill School Partnership will provide the participating schools with:
Schools not selected for the Partnership can access the resources on the website including ready-to-use lessons, activities, videos and digital collateral. Schools and communities interested in participating in a training can submit a request form.
The high schools awarded the Change to Chill School Partnership for 2018-2019 include:
Arcadia Charter School – Northfield, Minn.
Cambridge-Isanti High School – Cambridge, Minn.
Coon Rapids High School – Coon Rapids, Minn.
Harding High School – St. Paul, Minn.
Hopkins High School – Hopkins, Minn.
Maple Lake High School – Maple Lake, Minn.
New Ulm High School – New Ulm, Minn.
River Falls High School – River Falls, Wis.
Shakopee High School – Shakopee, Minn.
Allina Health is dedicated to the prevention and treatment of illness and enhancing the greater health of individuals, families and communities throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. A not-for-profit health care system, Allina Health cares for patients from beginning to end-of-life through its 90+ clinics, 10 hospitals / 13 campuses, 15 retail pharmacies, and many specialty care centers and specialty medical services, home care, and emergency medical transportation services.