Health and Human Services News

Setting an example

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Having a positive role model is key when developing as a young adult.

Dr. Ashley Payne, assistant professor of psychology at Missouri State University, understands the importance of having good role models to look up to. That is why she created a mentoring program for Black girls in local high schools.

“The program is called Black Girl Talk,” Payne said. “What we do is we pair Black high school girls, ages 14-18, with a Black women college student here at MSU.”

They focus on six key areas during the program:

    • Racism.
    • Sexism.
    • Mental health.
    • Identity.
    • Love and relationships.
    • Friendships.
    • Education.

“Our program is unique because it gives these high schoolers someone to look up to who has been through the same gendered racial experiences as them,” Payne said. “It gives these girls role models they may have never had before.”

How the program works

This year, the program operates in two area high schools: Springfield’s Central High School and Willard High School.

The team visits the high schools twice weekly for two hours a day.

“We start off by having a group activity based on the topic of conversation of that week,” Payne said. “For example, when our topic was body image, we had an MSU professor, Dr. Hannah Harris come and lead a yoga session for our students.”

Students then participate in small group discussions or focus groups that also serve as research for Payne and her students.

“This program is meant for mentoring, but we also use it for research, to add to the growing knowledge base of the experiences of Black girls and women, Payne said.

“During our discussions, we talk about how these key areas manifest for these students.  We also talk about how we can change the maladaptive responses to these issues.”

Payne hopes that over time, this program can expand into more high schools in Springfield and surrounding areas.

Learn about the psychology department

 

 

 

 

 

How do religion and beliefs affect mental health?

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To better explore religion’s role in mental health and overall well-being, Missouri State University has created a new interdisciplinary Undergraduate Certificate in Mental Health and Spirituality.

This 15-hour program began this fall. It will help students to gain an awareness of the effects of spiritual reflection and practices on mental health and self-understanding.

Dr. Stephen Berkwitz, department head of religious studies at MSU and Dr. Amber Abernathy, associate professor of psychology at MSU, discuss the program and explain the link between mental health and beliefs.

New undergraduate certificate

Read the full transcript

Check out the Undergraduate Certificate in Mental Health and Spirituality

Expanding health care access

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Access to health care is important for everyone. The MSU Care Clinic  recently adjusted their guidelines to provide health care to more people in our community.

“Last week, we approved an increase for income guidelines. This allows us to extend health care to those 200% above the federal poverty line, or lower,” said Brock Hughes, practice manager at the MSU Care Clinic.

This would mean that a family of five with a monthly income of $5,412 would be eligible for care. Often, families with this amount of income are not able to get medical help.

Before, the clinic was only able to serve those who were 150% above the poverty line. The clinic hopes the new guidelines will allow them to reach more people in the community who need help.

“Our mission is to meet the health care needs of medically underserved adults in our community,” said Dr. Letitia White-Minnis, associate dean of the McQueary College of Health and Human Services at Missouri State University.

“I’m excited about the changes to the financial eligibility guidelines because they will enable us to help more people and show off this hidden gem we offer to the southwest Missouri community.”

How the clinic operates

In the late 1980s, a group called The Kitchen Inc. started an outpatient clinic to support those in Springfield who could not afford health care.

In 2015, Missouri State and Mercy Hospital partnered and re-established the clinic, renaming it the MSU Care Clinic.

“Our clinic is largely supported by students in the and programs,” Hughes said. “All students work with a medical professional to help provide direct care for patients.”

This clinic allows students to work with a very specific population and gives them real life experience while they are still taking classes.

Services offered

The clinic offers free primary care services and a pharmacy free of charge for all patients.

“We partnered with UMKC’s School of Pharmacy to offer medications at the clinic,” Hughes said. “Through programs with Mercy, we’re able to offer free medications for our patients.”

Clinic services include:

  • Physical examinations.
  • Blood tests.
  • Pharmacy services.
  • X-rays.
  • Mental health education.
  • Referrals to community resources.

If you think you may benefit from MSU Care Clinic services, contact the clinic at 417-837-2270 or at msucare.missouristate.edu.

Learn more about MSU Care Clinic

Ditch the chips

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A tale as old as time? The struggle of trying to eat healthy without spending your entire paycheck on a single grocery haul. 

Dr. Amy Blansit, senior kinesiology instructor at Missouri State University, gives insight on how you can improve your budget and find healthier alternatives at your local supermarket. 

Blansit begs the question, “How often have you sat down with a bag of apples and accidentally finished it in one sitting?” 

It’s much more difficult to continue munching on nutritionally dense food in comparison to a bag of chips or even a two liter of soda. 

The problem is that most snack foods have been chemically engineered to encourage non-stop eating. 

Put the blinders on while shopping 

People often become overwhelmed by trying to only buy what are considered healthy foods, Blansit notes.  

This can result in a return to bad habits.  

The key to maintaining a healthy diet and budget? Don’t put pressure on yourself to drastically change everything at once, Blansit recommends. 

To start, she suggests thinking ahead and sticking to a pre-written list. 

“Plan ahead! Pair the meals you want with ingredients you already have at home,” she said. 

“Create a list of things you need. Try not to be tempted by the inner aisles of the grocery store, which tend to be bingeable snack foods.” 

But what if you could avoid temptation altogether? 

“We’re seeing an uptick in online or pickup grocery delivery services and that can be extremely beneficial for mindful shopping,” Blansit said. “This eliminates buying foods last-minute just because they look good and cost only a couple bucks. That adds up quickly.” 

When you stick to your plan and prioritize nutrient-dense foods, you eat better and spend less. 

Find fresh, frozen or canned foods 

Blansit suggests switching to fresh foods and eliminating boxed food items. If that’s not affordable, the next best option is frozen, then canned. 

“Our society tends to look at a meal as a hunk of meat, a baked potato and then maybe a small salad,” Blansit said. “When in actuality, one chicken breast can be split among four people. Couple it with beans, brown rice and other items.” 

She recommends finding several nutritionally dense foods that fit within your budget to satiate pesky cravings:  

  • Nuts and seeds. 
  • Legumes. 
  • Whole grains. 
  • Leafy greens. 
  • Fruits and veggies. 

You can help eliminate food waste 

A happy side effect of planning out meals and only buying foods you need?  

Considerably less food waste. 

“Many people overbuy and cook a surplus of food that gets thrown away at the end of the meal,” Blansit said. 

There is a stigma surrounding leftovers that we must work to dissolve, she added. 

If we track the amount of food we buy and eat, it holds us accountable for the food that is wasted. 

For those concerned with fresh foods going bad and being wasted, frozen is a fantastic alternative, Blansit said. 

How to stretch a dollar 

For people living on food stamps or paycheck to paycheck, “there are programs and options that highlight nutritionally dense foods,” Blansit said. 

If you have the opportunity and funds to buy in bulk, then do so. Load your freezer every month with frozen proteins and plan accordingly with your meal schedule. This saves money as well as time, Blansit said. 

Another option for eating well on a budget is to take advantage of the reduced prices included in a Sam’s Club or Costco membership.  

While the annual fee might be pricier than some can afford, Blansit suggests splitting a membership with another family or more. 

Putting a meal plan into action 

“I sympathize with working parents who are stressed about not getting food on the table until 8 p.m., which they use as justification as they pull through the drive-through,” Blansit said. 

“However, if they plan ahead, the meal could take less than 30 minutes to throw together.”  

It’s important to have forward thinking, Blansit said. If you dedicate time to plan your meals, then you don’t have to worry about it later. 

Stop what you’re doing and give yourself some time to look at your pantry and freezer. 

Then follow three simple steps: 

  1. Be aware of filler foods in your diet.
  2. Create a basic meal plan for the week and use that while grocery shopping.
  3. Be patient with yourself and keep doing your best.

“No one can achieve perfection instantly. Do the best you can and don’t be discouraged,” Blansit said. “What’s important is to be consistent with trying — that’s what will create better habits.” 

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