President Bill called the meeting to order at 12:20.
After some technical issues, Wes Baumann (on Zoom) offered the following thought of the day:
Life is like a camera, if focusing doesn’t work out, you just take another shot.
We had no visiting guests or Rotarians, and there were no birthdays or anniversaries.
Announcements:
Our Operation Warm concert event is on October 15 at Valley Lo Club. Rich asked for volunteers to sell drink tickets, and encouraged all to but tickets to the event soon!
The Wilmette Harbor Club is working with a military base in southern Indiana where there are 8,000 Afghan refugees housed. Wilmette Harbor will be providing them with coats – we are encouraged to support this effort.
Our District Governor visit is on October 28. All are encouraged to attend this meeting.
Happy Bucks:
President Bill offered a buck because his son got engaged yesterday!
Moha offered a buck for the Northwestern Wildcats football victory last Saturday.
Barb offered $76 in memory of her son’s father-in-law, who was double vaccinated yet died from COVID at age 76.
Dig N Grin –
David Birkenstein offered humorous thoughts about what God has planned for us as we age.
Speaker –
Bob Sanfilippo introduced Kim Hassenfeld, staff member at CCNS and Jessica Gardiner, school social worker at Glenbrook High School to discuss the impact of COVID on adolescents' mental health.
Some facts from their presentation, which can be seen as a Zoom recording:
- According to 2020 statistics, depression and anxiety among teens has skyrocketed, as have suicide attempts – as recorded by hospital emergency room data.
- Since COVID began, additional stressors of losing family members or having them get sick has worsened the situation.
- According to Jessica, “what we’re seeing” at high school are increasing instances of anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, grief, hospitalizations and safety assessments for self-harm.
Glenbrook has enacted pass/fail option to decrease stress. Jessica noted that kids are experiencing more social anxiety – as they are “out of practice” with social interaction. They are seeing increasing numbers of students being referred for psychiatric evaluation and medication.
According to Lurie Children’s Hospital, 48% of parents have talked to their primary care doctor about mental health concerns with their children in the past year. It is estimated that 20% of Illinois children have a mental health problem.
Glenbrook sees 250 kids individually, and has formed many support groups. They are the first school in the country to create a Mental Health First Aid Training program for staff and students.
Q&A followed this presentation.
President Bill adjourned the meeting at 1:30, and we recited the Four Way Test.
