Community Wellness Task Force Update - 11.22.27
On Monday, November 25, 2019, the Community Wellness Task Force met to discuss the development of short-term, mid-term, and long-term organizational planning, as well as further defining the Task Force's purpose, roles, and responsibilities.
Attendees discussed the work being done by the various organizations within the Task Force, and how they would continue to support the community.
Moving forward, the Task Force will continue to work on organizational planning and sharing details of upcoming events happening for families. Efforts are being made to focus on the Task Force's new website, available by clicking the image above or by visiting ourcommunitytogether.org.
INFORMATION FROM DR. MARY SCHOENFELDT REGARDING THE HOLIDAY SEASON
Dr. Mary Schoenfeldt is a member of the Community Wellness Task Force and is a current consultant with the Riverview School District. She is an expert in the field of Critical Incident Stress Management and Disaster Mental Health and Emergency Management and has worked in recovery for communities from Haiti to Sandy Hook to Littleton, Colorado, and locally, in Marysville.
Dr. Schoenfeldt offers the following information on how to talk to students and young persons around the dinner table, or at family get-togethers occurring during the holiday season, if the subject of sudden loss is a topic that comes up in conversation.
"Thanksgiving and other holidays can be times of added stress. Take time for yourself, give yourself and your children permission to choose the topic of conversation at family gatherings.
Suggest to relatives that they refrain from asking curious questions about friends, classmates or themselves. Instead, encourage visitors to say things like: 'I'm glad to see you, I've been thinking about you a lot and I'm sorry about your friend, classmate, student.'
That gives the message that it is okay to talk if you would like but the choice will be made by the student or family member in question.
It is important to share with students that it is okay to reply, 'I would rather not talk about that yet, but thank you for asking,' should they feel they are not in a place to discuss recent events."
Shaun Tozer & Mike Ward Community Wellness Task Force