MPH NEWSLETTER VOL. 25
WE’RE HERE TO HELP WITH YOUR COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT & IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY / IMPROVEMENT PLAN!
Hi there,
As the leaves begin to turn and backpacks are once again in rotation, we know this season means more than new pencils and fresh notebooks. Back‐to‐school is a pivotal moment for students — and it’s one of those inflection points when youth mental health can be especially fragile. At Moxley Public Health, we’re talking about what supports we need in place — for kids, schools, families, and communities — so that this year isn’t only healthy, but hopeful.
Youth Mental Health: Why Back to School Matters
The start of school brings transitions: new routines, new peer groups, new expectations. These can be exciting, but also stressful. Anxiety, depression, social pressures, and identity issues tend to surface or intensify as students navigate these changes.
Schools are often the front lines: teachers, counselors, and coaches are in a position to observe early warning signs and connect students with help. But many schools are under‐resourced.
Community matters: beyond the school walls, youth benefit when the community listens, connects, supports — not just in crisis, but in everyday life.
We believe that mental wellness should be an integral part of back-to-school planning — not an afterthought. Elements such as orientation programs, peer support initiatives, mental health education, accessible counseling, and strong partnerships between schools and health/community providers are all essential components of the puzzle.
Let’s talk about how we can help you center connection and inclusion in your next project. Schedule a FREE discovery call with us here.
Stay healthy,
IN THE NEWS…
Have you heard? It’s almost time for our annual volunteer trip to Jamaica. This year, we are focusing on ALL things women’s health, including a one-day Women’s Business Conference! We plan to educate about menstruation, HIV/STI prevention, cloth diapering, breast cancer, and more! If you are interested in learning more or how to help, check out our website!
We recently attended the NACCHO360 and AOHC conferences — a great chance to reconnect, share, and learn about MPH and other organizations! While at NACCHO, CEO Stephanie led a session around Community Health Improvement Plans and the challenges many health departments and other organizations face. We then put the findings into a document as a resource for ALL to use, as many times we often experience similar challenges.
did you know?
Did you know that 1 in 6 U.S. youth ages 6–17 experience a mental health disorder each year? Yet more than half don’t receive the support they need.
Schools are often the first place early signs are noticed, which means that teachers, counselors, and community partners can play a pivotal role in connecting kids to care. The more we normalize talking about mental health — just like physical health — the more likely young people are to reach out when they need help.
tips & tricks of the month
Wondering how to support youth mental health as students head back to school? Check out this practical guide from the Child Mind Institute: “Back-to-School Mental Health Toolkit.”
The toolkit includes conversation starters for families, strategies for managing school stress, and tips for building routines that strengthen resilience. While every student’s needs look different, the overall approach offers simple, everyday ways to make the school year feel more manageable — for kids, parents, and teachers alike.
public health organization spotlight
We’re excited to share that an article by MPH will be published soon on the Catholic Health Association’s site: “What’s the Point of Doing a Community Health Assessment and Improvement Plan if They Don’t Lead to Real Change?” We’ll explore the value of assessments plus the imperative of turning those findings into action — so no assessment becomes just a report on a shelf.
Save the Date: Community Benefit 101
A heads‐up to our nonprofit hospital partners and interested public health folks:
Community Benefit 101: Planning and Reporting for Nonprofit Hospital Community Benefit
When: October 21, 22, 23, 2025
Time: 2 – 5 p.m. Eastern Time each day
CHA will walk through best practices, regulatory expectations, and how to show real, measurable community impact — especially with respect to youth and mental health services. Link to register can be found here!
RECIPE OF THE MONTH
Conversation is nourishment, too. Just as food brings people together, taking time to check in with one another strengthens our sense of connection and belonging. Whether it’s sharing a story over coffee, joining a support group, or simply asking “How are you, really?”—these moments matter. This month, we’re sharing a comforting recipe that’s both simple to prepare and perfect for enjoying with others, reminding us that caring for our mental health can start with something as small as gathering around the table.
Wisconsin Native's Beer Cheese Soup
4 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped (Optional)
1 ½ cups diced carrots
1 ½ cups diced yellow onion
1 ½ cups diced celery
2 tablespoons minced garlic (about 6 cloves)
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
⅓ cup unsalted butter
⅓ cup all-purpose flour
1 (12-ounce) bottle pilsner-style beer
3 cups chicken broth
2 cups whole milk or half-and-half
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
12 ounces sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 3 cups)
popped plain or salted popcorn, for garnish
Instructions:
Gather all ingredients.
Heat bacon in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving drippings.
Add carrots, onion, and celery to drippings and increase heat to medium-high. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in garlic, salt, pepper, and cayenne; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add butter and cook, stirring constantly, until melted. Add flour and cook, stirring constantly, until lightly browned, about 2 minutes.
Stir in beer, and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 2 minutes.
Stir in broth and half-and-half; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium to maintain a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, just until mixture lightly coats the back of a spoon, 12 to 15 minutes.
Stir in Dijon, Worcestershire, dry mustard, and hot sauce until fully incorporated. Remove from heat.
Add cheese, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly until melted before adding more.
Serve hot, topped with popcorn and reserved bacon.
Pro Tip: Make it a wellness moment—share the meal with someone you care about, or drop off a serving for a neighbor who might need a little encouragement. Acts of kindness, big or small, can boost both our mood and theirs.
mph favorites to share with you…
Steph's Recommendation
Looking for book recommendations for anxiety in teens? Stephanie was recommended three wonderful books by her children’s school counselor, Kim Leichty:
Caroline's Recommendation
This podcast showed Caroline how important the pressures youth/teens experience are and how parents/adults can help support them. They specifically talk about many academic pressures, which are very important in this season!
Charnesia’s Recommendation
Charnesia recommends you check out The Mental Health Toolbox podcast, teaching you mental health hacks for improving your thoughts, emotions, and behavior, so you can do more than just cope, but thrive! She enjoyed the worksheets/toolkits for parents and teens to use!
Burk’s Recommendation
Burk recommends you check out the Prevention Action Alliance Know! Tips and Resources. This is an educational program that equips parents, teachers, and other caring adults with timely, relevant information to support the health and wellness of youth (they come out every few weeks). It helps caring adults stay informed about current trends in behavioral health and substance misuse, so they can help guide youth in making safe and healthy choices.
Madison’s Recommendation
Madison shares an article to check out, highlighting how being involved can help improve teens’ mental health.
