Talking about mental health could save a college career or even a life.

Have you ever talked with your high school senior about mental health? In my experience, parents may discuss majors and housing, not major depression and anxiety. However, I encourage parents to talk about these issues because rates of mental health problems continue to soar on college campuses. According to the recently posted results of the American College Health Association fall 2017 survey, one of three college students have been diagnosed with or treated for a mental health disorder in the last year, one of five for anxiety and one of six for depression. One of eight college students seriously considered suicide. Since 2011, rates of anxiety have doubled and rates of depression have risen by fifty percent.

By talking about mental health, parents can reduce stigma and let children know it is okay to pursue treatment. The earlier your college student seeks help for a mental health problem, the more quickly he or she will recover. As a psychiatrist providing clinical care to college students for over twenty years, I have seen too many young adults delay seeking treatment because they feel they have some kind of moral weakness rather than a biological and psychological condition that can be treated with lifestyle changes, therapy, and if needed, medication.

Here is what I recommend every parent tell their high school senior about mental health before they go to college.

  1. Pressures – I am very proud of you as you prepare for your college journey and I know you will do a great job. I also want you to know that college students today can feel a great deal of academic, social, and financial pressure. If the pressure ever gets overwhelming, you can call me anytime, day or night.
  2. Problems – If there is a problem you feel uncomfortable talking about with me, don’t hesitate to call another family member. I won’t be insulted – I just want you to get help. I support you talking with a therapist at the campus counseling center if you need another sounding board.
  3. Academics – I want you to do well in school, but not by sacrificing your health in the process. Regular sleep, exercise, and a healthy diet are necessary for good mental and physical health. I understand there might be times, like during midterms and finals, that you sleep less, but this should not happen on a regular basis. If you find you don’t have time for good self-care, meet with a wellness or success coach on campus who can teach you how to manage your time better. You could also speak with your academic advisor about taking a more balanced course load.
  4. Social connections – Meeting people and making friends can be more challenging in this age of social media when people might be communicating online rather than face to face. Join one or two clubs, talk with people in classes, go to your professor’s office hours, and make at least one or two good friends. Having strong social connections can improve your mental health, physical health, and GPA.
  5. Anxiety – Anxiety is the number one mental health problem on campus. It’s normal to feel anxious about exams and meeting new people, but if your anxiety is so high that it is hard to sleep and concentrate, your heart sometimes races, you feel like it’s hard to catch your breath, and your stomach is always upset, I want you to talk with a therapist. If therapy does not reduce your anxiety, you can also meet with a psychiatrist, who may prescribe medication. Participate in activities to lower your anxiety like yoga, exercise, and meditation.
  6. Depression – Sometimes students can feel sad and homesick during their first days of college. But if the sadness never leaves, it becomes harder to get to class, you stop spending time with friends, or you feel there is no hope that things will get better, I want you to call me and also see a therapist and/or psychiatrist. Depression is highly treatable.
  7. Alcohol – I know most college students drink alcohol, and I would prefer you didn’t drink. But if you do drink, I want you to be safe. Avoid binge drinking – four or more drinks for a woman and five or more for a man in one sitting. Heavy drinking in college is associated with worse academic performance, and of even more concern, can contribute to physical assault, sexual assault, injury, and death.
  8. Drugs – Avoid drugs in college. There is a great deal of controversy about risks and benefits of marijuana, but until there are more studies, I would prefer you not use it. Most marijuana now has a much higher THC content than it did thirty years ago, potentially causing more problems with anxiety and paranoia. Studies show regular marijuana use decreases motivation and GPAs in college students. As for other drugs on campus – cocaine, opioids, and LSD – these drugs put your life at risk and I never want you to try them.
  9. Psychosis – While psychotic experiences occur far less frequently than anxiety and depression in the college years, there can be an increase in these experiences during young adulthood. Psychosis means you have perceptual disturbances, like believing things that may not be real or hearing voices that are not there. If this happens, I don’t want you to be scared. But I do want you to let me know and also speak with a mental health professional to see if this is a temporary experience or a long-term mental health problem requiring treatment.
  10. Resilience – During your college journey, you will experience many highs and a few lows. With your inner strength and the strength of the many people you connect with, I know you will emerge with great knowledge, courage, and creativity.

©2018 Marcia Morris, All Rights Reserved.

Details have been altered to protect patient privacy.

My book, The Campus Cure: A Parent’s Guide to Mental Health and Wellness for College Students, was recently released.

Marcia Morris M.D.

Marcia Morris, M.D., is the author of The Campus Cure: A Parent’s Guide to Mental Health and Wellness for College Students. She is a psychiatrist at the University of Florida.

Another cohort of the Snow-Redfern Foundation Root2Rise program has concluded, and four brilliant young ladies successfully completed the workshop series and earned a $2,000 scholarship that will be used to promote their future career goals established during the program.

The participants of this fall cohort included Kaylee Henthorn of Alliance, Grace Dean of Bridgeport, Regan Anderson of Lakeside, and Mandie Ylander of Alliance.  They attended 6 virtual workshops and completed their own growth map, outlining plans for their future, which aligned with scholarship funds each received.

Snow-Redfern Foundation’s founder, Arvilla, was a strong, independent, female leader who believed that there is great worth in every young person; and as such, each one is a community asset with vast potential for self-defined success.  We celebrate her through this program.

This program is a priority experience for young women interested in growing their leadership potential through exposure to important topics affecting women in leadership roles today. The virtual six-workshop series creates space
for 16-19 year old female-presenting participants to engage in valuable group discussions with other professional women.

The workshop is facilitated by Dr. Maya Chilese, an organizational anthropologist and the founding principal of Blue Agate Collaborative, LLC. Dr. Chiles.  She has over 20 years’ experience in health and human service systems of care at the local, regional, state and national level and uses her gifts and talents to guide the R2R participants through a unique experience, with learning opportunities provided by various guest speakers, all of whom are strong women leaders in their fields of practice.

December 2023, Alliance, NE –The Snow-Redfern Foundation nominated three new board members

 The Snow-Redfern Foundation (SRF), which provides funding support to youth-serving system of care partners across Nebraska, has announced its 2024 board of Directors.  The SRF Board of Directors provides leadership and strategic direction to guide the foundation’s mission to empower youth, inspire change makers, and energize partnerships for impact.

Nominated to the SRF Board of Directors to serve their first term include Jordan Diedrich with Twin Cities Development in Scottsbluff/Gering, Stephanie Vadnais with Nebraska Children and Families Foundation in Lincoln, and Brett Omar with Seasons of Hope Counseling in Alliance.

“Our board members play a vital role in elevating the voices of the communities in which they live, work, and raise families, while supporting the vision to ensure Nebraska youth thrive within inclusive communities and participatory systems of care.  By adding innovative board members from across the state, we have created an environment of shared learning and growth that contributes to the diversity of our work for and with youth”, said SRF Executive Director, Sara Wilcox.  “I would also like to extend gratitude to our departing board members, Brooke Shelmadine with Box Butte General Hospital and Shelmadine Print Shop in Alliance, Nathan Jaggers, a practicing attorney in Alliance, and Jenny Lanik with Alliance Public School in Alliance”.

The SRF Executive Committee nominated for 2024 includes:

  • President: Mara Andersen, Fox Creek Fundraising
  • Vice President/Past President: Denis Harris, Parker Hannifin
  • Secretary: Sean Ridgeway, First National Bank of Omaha
  • Treasurer: Dustin Chester, Nebraska Bank

Returning board members include:  Leslie Shaver, University of Nebraska, Lincoln; Tom Elliot, Elliott & Son, Inc., Alliance; Teresa Sanders, Diamond T Livestock Services, Alliance; Andrew Hunzeker, EducationQuest, Scottsbluff; Rob Eirich, UNL Extension, Scottsbluff; Karla Bennetts, Families CARE, Kearney; Rosey Higgs, Nonprofit Association of the Midlands, Omaha; and Megan Walter, Omaha Public Power, Omaha.

Another successful grant cycle concludes for us here at Snow-Redfern Foundation, and we are honored to recognize the incredible non-profit partners and outstanding individuals across Nebraska that were selected to receive funding support this year.  All of the selected organizations demonstrated commitment and dedication to improving the lives of children and youth, through various strategies.

Here is a list of all of the non-profit partners and individuals included in this year’s funding cycle, by grant program.

Project Grants

  • Lexington Public Schools
  • CASA of South Central Nebraska
  • Panhandle Public Health District
  • United Way of Western Nebraska
  • Lexington Public Schools
  • The Briggs and Barrett Project
  • Banister’s Leadership Academy
  • YWCA of Adams County
  • Camp Scott Summer Program
  • Carnegie Arts Center
  • Central Plains Center for Services
  • Panhandle Partnership, Inc.
  • Omaha Conservatory of Music
  • Alliance Public Schools
  • Prairie Loft
  • Bridgeport TeamMates
  • Alliance Recreation Center
  • Nebraska CASA Association
  • Spouse Abuse Sexual Assault Center
  • TeamMates of Scotts Bluff County
  • Carpenter Center
  • LyonHeart Equine Assisted Learning
  • Girl Scout Spirit of Nebraska
  • Families CARE, Inc.

Career Pathways Grants

  • Twin Cities Development
  • Western Nebraska Community College
  • Gering Public Schools

Priority Community Grant- Box Butte County

  • Panhandle Public Health District

Developing Communities Grant

  • Panhandle Public Health District

Capacity Grant

  • Nebraska CASA Association

Root2Rise Administration and Support

  • Panhandle Partnership, Inc.

Individual Grants- Scholarships

Hempel Family Scholarship
  • Carver Hauptman
  • Tegan Rice
  • Arielle Lawrence
K.M. Dahlstedt Scholarship
  • Avery Davies
  • Kason Loomis
  • Delaney Childers
  • Cambree Schmaltz
  • Tyler Cotton

Root2Rise Scholarships will be awarded to participants in December, 2023.

Grant opportunities for 2024 are forthcoming!

Congratulations to the Selected Root2Rise Participants!

We proudly announce the third cohort of the Snow-Redfern Foundation Root2Rise workshop series and the seven incredible young women that have been selected to participate!

The 2023 cohort will include: Shelby Hardin of Morrill, Kaylee Henthorn of Alliance, Rebecca Shy of OshKosh, Grace Dean of Bridgeport, Mandie Ylander of Alliance, Kyndall Sprague of Henry, and Regan Anderson of Lakeside!

About the Leadership Series

A small cohort of seven high school seniors will engage in valuable group discussions with professional women in Trades, Ag and STEM fields this fall and winter.  The virtual six-workshop series creates space for young women interested in growing their leadership potential through exposure to important topics affecting women in leadership roles today.

As a function of the workshop series, the participants will work together and with the facilitator to create a Growth Map, which will assist them in planning for personal leadership growth.  Upon conclusion of the workshop series, the participants will be eligible for a $2,000 scholarship based upon their identified strategies documented within their Growth Map.

This workshop series was created to help our future leaders develop skills, make connections, discover their potential, grow their future, and provide scholarship support.

Snow-Redfern Foundation’s founder, Arvilla, was a strong, independent, female leader who believed that there is great worth in every young person, and as such, each one is a community asset with vast potential for self-defined success.  We celebrate Arvilla through this workshop series, hopeful that each participant finds value in her individualized growth potential!

The Root2Rise facilitator is Dr. Maya Chilese, an organizational anthropologist and the founding principal of

Blue Agate Collaborative, LLC. Dr. Chilese has over 20 years’ experience in health and human service systems at the local, regional, state and national level. She’s a formally credentialed mental health and addiction practitioner, provided prevention and therapeutic services, facilitated professional development, led complex system transformations, and administered a multitude of behavioral health and public health programs and system initiatives. She is also a gifted facilitator, a brilliant leader, and the perfect person to share in the excitement of girl power.

ESTATE AND INHERITANCE TAXES

by Patricia Jones, Alliance Community Task Force: Creating Opportunity

When a person dies, their assets could be subject to estate tax at the federal level and inheritance tax in Nebraska. Both of these were designed to limit the transfer of wealth to people who were not involved in earning it, and they are controversial.

Federal estate taxes were created in 1916, taxing estates valued at over $5 million. This amount changed to $50 million in 1932. In 1940 it dropped to $10 million, then $5, then $3. In 2002-2007 estates worth more than $2 million paid the tax. The exemption amount has increased annually since then.

In 2023, the federal estate tax applies only to estates worth more than $12.92 million. For a married couple, that is a combined exemption of $25.84 million. Only the amount over that threshold is taxed, and the rates are progressive. The first $1 million (over the $12.92 million) is taxed at lower rates – from 18% to 39%. Everything above that is taxed at 40%. This tax applies to about one tenth of one percent of Americans.

One of the reasons people argue that federal estate tax should be eliminated is the fact that there are ways to avoid paying anything at all. Every year, married couples can give away a certain amount in tax-free gifts to other people, including family members.  The annual gift tax limit is currently $16,000 per person. So, a husband and wife could each give away $16,000 every year for a combined $32,000 in annual tax-free gifts. Through annual gifts, married couples can reduce the value of their taxable estate while benefiting their intended beneficiaries.

Estate taxes can often be avoided by setting up a trust. Most trusts give the surviving spouse rights to the assets, with no estate tax on the assets put into this trust. For example, the surviving spouse can draw income from the trust, live in the house, etc. When the surviving spouse dies the trust assets are distributed to the intended beneficiaries.

A charitable trust names a charitable organization as the beneficiary of the trust assets. Assets in the charitable trust can include cash, stocks, real estate, and other property. There is a reason why the super-wealthy have foundations in their names.

A family limited partnership (FLP) is beneficial because it allows family members to pool their assets and then shift them to other members in the family, and it is common in agriculture. The assets you put into an FLP and transfer to others are taken out of your estate, with significant estate tax savings. FLPs offer a strategy for family farms to transition the farm on to the next generation. The older generation manages the operation at first, and the younger generation can, over time, take over the operation.

Nebraska is one of six states that collects an inheritance tax, and counties collect and use this tax. Inheritance tax is not calculated on the total of the estate; it is collected on the amount paid to each person who receives something from the estate.

The tax is levied on Nebraska property inherited from parents, siblings, extended family, and non-relatives. Spouses are exempt and inherit tax-free. Other beneficiaries inherit a certain amount tax-free, but then pay based on their relationship to the deceased. When property is inherited from immediate family members, the value worth more than $100,000 is taxed at 1%. Property inherited from near relatives is taxed at 11% for the part that is worth more than $40,000, and property inherited from distant relatives and non-relatives worth more than $25,000 is taxed at 15%.

The Revenue Committee of the Nebraska Legislature is considering advancing a constitutional amendment, LR23CA, to end inheritance tax. If approved, this would be on the ballot in the next general election for voters to decide.

If these two “death taxes” are ended, we must remember that the dollars collected from them must be made up with other taxes. This would be one more example of transferring tax obligations from the wealthy to those with no assets, again raising taxes on low-income households.

As you consider the benefits of leaving your legacy for the next generation, consider non-profit organizations, such as Snow-Redfern Foundation.  We build partnerships with communities and utilize data to determine how your gifts can best meet the needs of children.  For more information, please contact us or learn more at: https://www.snowredfern.org/give-today

Graduation is just around the corner, and with the preparations for closure of the high school days also comes planning for all the great things that will happen AFTER the big day!  A big part of planning efforts includes determining if college is on the horizon, and, if so, mechanisms for paying for it.

Fortunately, if seniors take the time to scour the web and partner with their parents, school counselors, or others that can guide them, they will find that there are actually many options available to assist with funding a college education.

Our scholarship programs are among those available this year!  Thanks to two very generous and caring donors, Snow-Redfern Foundation will be selecting and awarding eligible seniors with scholarship funds this spring.

Students interested in applying can do so by reaching out to their school guidance counselors for more information and for the link to complete the application.  All applications are due no later than March 31, 2023.  Below are the two scholarship programs offered in the spring:

K.M. Dahlstedt Scholarship

The family of KM Dahlstedt has established an annual memorial scholarship fund to provide support to high school students who are pursuing a degree in vocational training education. This one-year award can be used for education-related expenses if the candidate meets the established criteria. Up to five (5) scholarships will be awarded in the amount of $1,000.00 in the 2023-2024 school years.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the M Dahlstedt Memorial Scholarship, students must meet the following requirements at the time of application:

  • Currently enrolled high school student who will graduate in the current year
  • Citizen of the United States
  • Resident of Box Butte County in Nebraska
  • Accepted to an accredited technical college as a full-time degree seeking student

Edward M. and Eda S. Hempel Family Scholarship

Through the generosity of the Edward M. and Eda S. Hempel and family, this scholarship fund integrates the vision and beliefs once taught to young people at the Nebraska Boys Ranch. Though NBR is no longer in existence, the Snow-Redfern Foundation manages Arvilla Snow-Redfern’s estate through grants and scholarships to youth. Mr. and Ms. Hempel were integral in sustaining the Boys Ranch over the years and were generous contributors. Mr. Hempel was a long-time board member and he and his family gave generously of themselves through service and contributions so that the lives of kids might be better.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Hempel scholarship, students must meet the following requirements at the time of application:

  • Citizen/ permanent resident of Nebraska
  • Motivated to successfully complete a college degree
  • Planning to attend a Nebraska college within the next year
  • Enrolled at a high school within Box Butte or Morrill County
  • Nominated by a school designee (such as school counselor)
  • Preference is given to applicants that have a FAFSA EFC between $7,000 and $12,00

CARE in Central Nebraska

On any given day in Central Nebraska, you can find one of the dedicated employees of Families CARE supporting and advocating for parents, youth, and children.  With funding support from Snow-Redfern Foundation and other vital sources, this non-profit family organization provides services to parents who have children with emotional, behavioral, or mental health challenges.

Parent Voice

Among the many services and supports they provide, teaching parents that they (as parents) are the most important voice in their children’s lives is the most important. Advocacy and support are provided by peers; parents who have lived experience to share with other parents, and includes helping them identify their strengths, needs, and goals, developing strategies to meet their goals, sharing resources and service referrals, supporting them at school meetings, team meetings, or court, providing support groups for parents and youth/children, offering special events, and providing the partially Snow-Redfern Foundation funded Wellness Café.

Wellness Café Support groups are offered to youth in two age groups:  Middle School (5th-8th grade) and Young Adult (9th grade – college).  Meetings consist of time to connect and eat together, activity and hands on learning, sharing and success stories for growth.

Opportunity for Connection

Executive Director, Karla Bennetts, said “this model provides youth an opportunity to build connection and add informal supports through their peers”.

All activities provide youth with a new skill or tool they can utilize in their journey to live a life of wellness.  The discussions provide youth an opportunity to learn, connect and share.  Youth learn from one another and gain support as they share their stories of challenges and successes.

Youth Voice

“Youth voice is prioritized with youth establishing comfort rules for their groups and what they wanted to learn about, discuss and do at future meetings”, said Karla.

To learn more about Families CARE and the work they do to support parents, youth, and children, check them out at: What We Do – FamiliesCare.org Parent AssistanceFamiliesCare.org Parent Assistance

                  

There’s Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, even Children’s Day in some countries around the world. But what about a Family Day — a day where we can celebrate and appreciate all members of the family in one wonderful day?

Well, there is a day for that, too, and it’s called International Day of Families. It’s held May 15th every year, and is a great way to celebrate our own families and families around the world. Happy International Day of Families.

What Is International Day Of Families?

International Day of Families, or International Family Day, is a global observance that’s celebrated each year on May 15th. While it’s not a public holiday, the day celebrates the importance of families, people, society, and cultures around the world. Its aim is to raise awareness of issues relating to families across the globe, while giving attention to the fact that families are the basic unit of a society.

On this day, we must recognize that some families are facing hardships, while also being grateful for our own families. This day can be what you make of it. It’s a day to celebrate your family and acknowledge what your family means to you.

Some things we can see on or leading up to International Day of Families each year are awareness-raising events, broadcasts, media reports, and national family days.

For example, many families play a role in their children’s education, even as they get older.  Snow-Redfern Foundation is here to celebrate you and your family as you work towards your degree and a rewarding career.

Why International Day Of Families Is Important

International Day of Families is important for several reasons. Not only does it raise awareness about issues impacting families globally, it reminds us how crucial family is to society. Without family, many of us would not be where we are today.

Family raises us in our formative years until we become adults. While not every family is perfect and there are certainly people who do not have good relationships with their families, you can use this day to celebrate whomever it is in your life that you consider “family” — even if they may not be blood relatives.

 

A Tribute to Arvilla Snow-Redfern

The Young Women’s Leadership Program is being developed as a tribute to our fearless founder, Arvilla Snow-Redfern.  For decades she dedicated her life to growing great kids that came to her ranch in need of structure, skills, nurturing, discipline, and purpose.  She created an endowment for the express purpose of ensuring perpetual support of kids that needed what she so openly provided in her lifetime.

We think that implementing a program that is specifically aimed at creating opportunities for young ladies to gain experiences, skills, and self-awareness of their innate leadership potential is a project worthy of Arvilla’s respect and approval.  Afterall, who better to emulate a program than our fearless female leader who was developing structured programming long before it was considered “proper” for a woman to be doing.

“The first year of the Young Women’s Leadership Program is underway and has been structured as a pilot project.  This allows us to test various aspects of the framework so we can strengthen the overall program design and content for future cohorts.  It also provides opportunity to elicit input from a cohort of young women as we develop the program parameters, including curricula design and logistics”, said Teresa Sanders, Snow-Redfern Foundation board member and Young Women’s Leadership Committee Chairperson.

Kick-Off

The program kicked off on February 20 with a focus group facilitated by ToP facilitator and Executive Director of Panhandle Partnership, Faith Mills.  Six high school girls from Gering, Scottsbluff, Morrill and Hemingford shared their voices in this robust conversation in a beautiful venue that was donated by another strong female leader in our community.

Lisa Weborg, owner of Hotel 21 and Weborg 21 Center, created a space for the girls to convene.  After completion of the two-hour facilitated discussion, the girls were thrilled to take a tour of the lavish hotel’s main floor.

Among the multitude of insights shared by the girls was their feedback about descriptors of female leaders, which included: nurturing, hard-working, organized, responsible, persistent, assertive, self-aware, able to do things for themselves.  They also expressed that female leaders often have to work harder than males in order to get what they want/need.

The Program

The short-term cohort-based workshop series is designed to enhance the leadership skills, college/trade preparedness, and/or career development of young women in Nebraska. The program prepares 16- to 19-year-old female presenting participants for the workforce, post-secondary education, and leadership in their communities.

There will be a four-workshop series for this first cohort, which will include content ideas expressed by the girls as important to them as they develop their leadership skills.  The curriculum is currently being designed by Allyson Berggren, Service Excellence Director at Regional West and previous elementary school teacher and principal.  The workshops will be facilitated by Dr. Maya Chilese, seasoned ToP facilitator, administrator with Public Health, and owner of Blueprint Consulting LLC.  Dr. Chilese has also been instrumental in the development of the Youth In Power program for which Snow-Redfern Foundation awards funding to Panhandle Partnership and CAPWN to implement.

“The workshop series will be presented virtually”, said the facilitator, Dr. Maya Chilese, “creating a more intentionally inclusive cohort design that allows participant diversity and the ability for young women to join from anywhere in Nebraska.  The design lends itself to a more robust model that integrates technologies, skill introduction, and relationship building with broader impact that can be scaled and repeated for future cohorts.”

 

As we grow this program, we are seeking support from those interested in sponsoring the development of curriculum or sponsoring a future participant.  Please contact Sara Nicholson at [email protected] or at 308-763-6370 if you are interested in investing in this program as it expands state-wide next year.

As this exciting project unfolds, we will be sure to share updates!  Keep an eye out for these incredible young women!