Latest news with #WellnessDay
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
This South Jersey admin has been named the National High School Principal of the Year
This South Jersey high school can officially say they have the best principal in the country. Lenape High School Principal Tony Cattani was recognized this July as High School National Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary School Principals at an award reception in Seattle, according to a press release from the school district. "(I) live and breathe Lenape pride every day, everywhere I go," he said in his acceptance speech. "It takes over my life." More: The fastest-growing towns in South Jersey: Did yours make the list? In the principal's 18-year tenure at the school, he has "developed a positive and inclusive leadership style," the press release stated. Cattani is credited with professional development initiatives such as a peer observation program and "Collegiality Cafes," which allow staff to lead professional development sessions. Superintendent Carol Birnbohm acknowledged in the release that Cattani's leadership is "rooted in valuing his staff members and fostering their growth." The principal was also lauded for student advocacy, such as supporting Lenape's Wellness Room, a place for students to decompress, launching World Voices Day to encourage students to celebrate their cultures and heritages, taking point on a mid-year Wellness Day to teach stress management, and encouraging student leadership through the school's Passion Project initiative and the Lenape Leadership Academy. In the award announcement, the National Association of Secondary School Principals called Cattani a "visionary leader." "Known as a tireless advocate for students, he consistently places their well-being and academic and personal growth at the forefront of every initiative," the announcement said. "His dedication and impact have set a lasting standard for leadership within the Lenape Community and beyond." In addition to holding the annual title, Cattani is now to represent high school principals nationally on behalf of the National Association of Secondary School Principals . Kaitlyn McCormick writes about education and community news across South Jersey for the Courier-Post, The Daily Journal and the Burlington County Times. If you have a story she should tell, email her at kmccormick@ And subscribe to stay up to date on the news you need. This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Lenape principal named National High School Principal of the Year Solve the daily Crossword
The Citizen
01-07-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
New school screening aims to tackle teen mental health crisis
A rising wave of mental health challenges among South African teenagers is pushing schools and the healthcare industry to act urgently. A new school-based mental health screening initiative, developed by local health-tech startup Ajuda, is now offering teens a confidential and accessible way to flag emotional distress before it spirals into crisis. 'Teens need access to mental health screenings, just as much as physical ones,' says Dr Liza Street, paediatrician and co-founder of Ajuda. 'Early detection and support can change the trajectory of a young person's life.' According to the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag), suicide accounts for 9% of all teen deaths in the country, with the highest rates among girls aged 15 to 19. Also read: Artists channel creativity into mental wellness awareness Ajuda's new screening tool is designed to be both anonymous and engaging, helping students speak up without fear. 'It's thoughtfully designed, not just black ink on white paper like a test. It folds up like Origami at the end,' says Street. While students can choose to remain anonymous, they may also include their name if they want help. The completed assessments are scored independently by Ajuda's clinical team, and schools receive a summary of findings across grades. This approach allows for group-level interventions without singling out individuals. 'This gives schools insight they wouldn't otherwise have,' Street explains. Also read: Wellness Day becomes a hit at La Vie Nouvelle Retirement Village In addition to screenings, Ajuda offers a free, anonymous helpline for learners seeking support, ensuring that help is accessible, even to those reluctant to come forward. Ajuda chairperson Allan Sweidan, a clinical psychologist and founder of Akeso Hospital Group, says the programme is also about education and empowerment. 'What happens if your friend tells you they're suicidal? What must you do?' he asks. 'There's a big movement around youth mental health first aid.' Also read: How to get your head in the game – the mental edge behind school sports success Street emphasises that adolescence is a critical period for intervention. 'It's a phase where structural rewiring in the brain is still possible,' she says. 'If a teenager becomes depressed and doesn't get help, they're probably going to become a depressed adult.' As mental health stigma slowly lifts, Ajuda hopes this initiative will become as routine as eye tests and dental checks in schools. 'If there's something we can identify now to help a young person grow into a healthier adult,' Street says, 'we should absolutely do it.' Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts!
Sharjah 24
02-06-2025
- Health
- Sharjah 24
SIB holds 'Health Day' to promote balanced lifestyle to employees
A comprehensive health experience Organized by the SIB Employee Club in collaboration with a number of medical institutions and specialized healthcare companies, the event aimed to offer employees a comprehensive health experience—allowing them to assess their health status and receive immediate, personalized consultations from qualified professionals. Investing in human capital and promoting healthy lifestyles Jassem AlBlooshi, Head of Strategic Management at Sharjah Islamic Bank, commented: 'At Sharjah Islamic Bank, we believe that a healthy workplace begins with a healthy individual. That's why we are keen to launch continuous initiatives that support the physical and mental wellbeing of our employees. This Wellness Day is an extension of our broader strategy to invest in human capital and to encourage the adoption of active, healthy lifestyles. Employee wellbeing is not optional for us—it is a central pillar in building a productive and cohesive work environment.' He further emphasized that such wellness activities are an integral part of the bank's long-term commitment to corporate responsibility, focusing on empowering human resources, raising awareness in the workplace, and promoting institutional stability, wellbeing, and sustainability. Comprehensive screenings and consultations Health services provided during the event included blood pressure checks, random blood sugar testing, full dental evaluations with a specialist, body composition analysis, musculoskeletal consultations, physiotherapy assessments, as well as hair and skin evaluations. Additionally, employees received specialized advice in nutrition and preventive healthcare—tailored to their individual needs. The event also featured the distribution of gift items and free screening vouchers, alongside multilingual educational materials designed to raise preventive awareness and offer practical lifestyle improvement tips. 'Health Pulse' awareness lecture On the sidelines of the wellness campaign, SIB hosted an awareness lecture titled 'Health Pulse' at its headquarters. The session was presented by a panel of specialists in cardiology, orthopedics, and physiotherapy, and addressed common modern-day health challenges and effective prevention strategies. To extend the benefit to a wider audience, the lecture was streamed live via SIB's official Instagram account, enabling the public to access medically sound advice in real time.
The Citizen
27-05-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
VUT hosts successful Wellness Day together with with 4D Healthcare Consulting
VUT hosts successful Wellness Day together with with 4D Healthcare Consulting VANDERBIJLPARK – The Human Resources Department at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT), in collaboration with 4D Healthcare Consulting (Pty) Ltd, recently hosted Wellness Day 2025, an event aimed at enhancing staff awareness of health and wellbeing. The day commenced with an energising fun walk led by Sakhile Cele (Director of HR Operations), Tshimangadzo Tambani (Remuneration and Benefits Manager), and the HR team. Starting at the university's main gate and winding through the campus to the Desmond Tutu Building, symbolising a step towards healthier living. The central feature was the Wellness Experience, where staff underwent comprehensive health screenings lasting 20 to 30 minutes, receiving personalised wellness reports to inform them about their health status and lifestyle risks. Cele and Tambani led by example, being the first to participate in the screenings, reinforcing VUT's commitment to employee wellness. In partnership with 4D Healthcare Consulting, the university provided expert-guided screenings, including Glucose, cholesterol, and blood pressure tests (assessing cardiovascular and metabolic health), Weight, height, and Body Mass Index (BMI) measurements (evaluating physical health and obesity risk), Confidential HIV testing (ensuring privacy and discretion). Staff were encouraged to dress comfortably for assessments and bring their medical aid membership cards or driver's licenses for registration. Wellness Day 2025 highlighted the importance of regular health checks and reminded everyone that wellness is a journey: one step, one screening, and one choice at a time. This initiative reflects VUT's ongoing dedication to fostering a supportive, health-conscious workplace. By prioritising early detection and informed health decisions, the university empowers its staff to lead healthier, more productive lives. T hese screenings are critical as they help individuals understand potential health risks early and take the necessary steps to address them. VUT fosters a workplace culture rooted in care, awareness, and proactive health management by investing in staff well-being. This initiative builds on previous wellness programmes at VUT, reinforcing the institution's vision of a thriving, health-aware community. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
RNZ News
23-05-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Free health checks in Upper Hutt on Saturday
Thirty healthcare agencies are offering free health checks in Upper Hutt on Saturday. Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski An Upper Hutt medical centre is holding a day of free health checkups in an effort to make healthcare more accessible to the Hutt Valley community. Gain Health Centre has partnered together with 29 healthcare agencies for its 'Wellness Day' on Saturday at Ōrongomai Marae. A GP would be at the event for consultations and general check-ups. Other providers will be available for specialist care, including cervical screenings, blood and glucose tests, and diabetes, heart and gout education. Scheduled and flu vaccines would also be free for all age groups. "There are thousands of patients without a GP in Hutt Valley and many of the practices' books are closed due to low resources," Gain Health Centre practice manager Anna Guest said. She said with after-hours health services and hospitals overloaded, the challenges in primary care were the worst they had been in 20 years. "There is a large barrier with access to healthcare in our community which means many people are not getting health screenings and access to services, like vaccinations, when they need them," Guest said. "These are essential for early detection, diagnosis and prevention." Gain Health Centre is part of the Doctors Medical Centres network and Green Cross Health. The Wellness Day started three years ago when Guest, alongside Gain Health Centre's nurse lead, Hannah Bradley, were inspired to start the initiative while at a Green Cross Health conference. Guest estimated that hundreds of people showed up to last year's Wellness Day, and she encouraged more people to come along to this year's event. "Just come along for the day and talk to any of the agencies," Guest said. Guest said while times could be tough for some, all agencies wanted to support and improve the health of the community. "We are extremely grateful for the support Ōrongomai Marae has given us and the hard work everyone has done to bring this event together." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
