There is no doubt this has been a stressful year and kids may not understand how the stress is impacting them. It is important that adults find ways to help children cope with everything going on, especially as school begins. There are many resources out there to help you and your family through this time, so where do you start? Here is a simple way to begin. Helping kids make their own cozy corner can give them a consistent and calming place to go when they feel overwhelmed.

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Suicide is a hard topic to discuss, but the good news is suicide is preventable. According to Washington State Department of Health, suicide is the second leading cause of death for individuals 10 – 24 years of age and the eighth leading cause of death for all individuals in both Washington State and Spokane County. This year with the stress of our current pandemic it is more important than ever to learn how to seek help for ourselves and for others. With the right help and resources, we can be prepared and make a difference.

air quality, wildfire, smoke, smoky, smoky air

August is a time when families start thinking about immunizations needed for school. This year everything feels different. Many schools will not offer in-person learning, and clinics have so many new protocols it’s hard to know when we should or should not be seen. In spite of these changes, it is still important to receive routine immunizations.

Last Thursday, August 6, Spokane Regional Health District’s Board of Health approved a resolution declaring racism as a public health crisis and outlining ways that the organization will acknowledge, educate and actively address this challenge in our community.

Racism and public health may seem like two different community issues, and it may be new to many of us to understand how one affects the other.