Gail Stryker, RN
This website is not meant to substitute for health advice. For health advice please speak with your primary care provider or your school nurse.
On this site are some reliable, educational resources that we have tried to make easier for you to access. We have also included some of the standard forms that the nurse sends out every year for parent/caregivers to fill out in regards to their student.
Student, if you have questions that aren’t answered her or just want talk, go see your school nurse, Ms. Stryker, at any time- She’s located on the first floor of the building.
Parent, if you have any concerns regarding your student’s health status, that the nurse may assist you with, please feel free to call her directly at: 617-635-6470, ext 122 or stop by her office during working hours. |
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For Teenagers: |
Apply for free MA health coverage Boston Public Health Commission: |
Bereavement/loss of a Loved One Support group at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) -Susan Primm-Thel, MSW 617-726-2636 -8-week group program |
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Free support groups for brain tumor patients and families at MGH Contact: Michele Lucas LICSW at 617-726-1061
Young Adult Cancer Support Group at MGH Cancer Resource Room Yawkey 8th floor Contact: Julie Berrett LICSW at (617) 643-2355 or Amy Corveleyn LICSW at (617) 724-5258
Pathways to Peace: a drop-in support group at MGH for cancer patients and their families to explore the uncertainties of the future. Contact: Betsy Lang, LICSW, OSW-C at (617) 724-0596 Location: MGH Cancer Resource Room, located in Yawkey building 8th floor
Online resources: |
Remember, you should have your teeth cleaned and checked by a dentist every 6 months! |
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Teens Against Gang Violence 2 Moody St Dorchester Ctr, MA 02124 (617) 365-0637 The Boston Strategy to Prevent Youth Violence: |
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Understanding hazing: |
Need health info for a school project? Try these websites… |
Teen Health Center at English High School (617) 524-5142
Jamaica Plain: Brookside Health Ctr. 3297 Washington St. Jamaica, Plain 617-522-4700
So. Jamaica Plain Health Ctr. 687 Centre St. Jamaica Plain 617-983-4100
Martha Eliot Health Ctr. 33 Bickford St. Jamaica Plain 617-971-2100
Roxbury: Dimock St. Health Ctr. 55 Dimock St. Roxbury 617-442-8800
Roxbury Comprehensive Health Ctr. 435 Warren St. Roxbury 617-442-7400
Whittier St. Health Ctr. 20 Whittier St. Roxbury 617-427-1000
South Boston/South End: So. Boston Health Ctr. 133 Dorchester Ave. So. Boston 617-269-7500
Tufts Medical Center Adolescent Clinic 617-636-5000 or 0006
South End Health Center 400 Shawmut Ave. Boston 617-425-2000
Brighton: Brighton Marine Hospital Pediatric Clinic 77 Warren St. 617-562-3800
Franciscan Children’s Hospital 30 Warren St. Brighton 617-242-3800
Jos. Smith Health Ctr. 51 Stadium Way Brighton 617-783-0500
Charlestown: Bunker Hill Health Ctr. 73 High St. Charlestown
East Boston: East Boston Health Ctr. 10 Gove St. East Boston 617-569-5800
Roslindale: Greater Roslindale 6 Cummins Highway Roslindale 617-323-4440
Dorchester: Bowdoin St. Health Ctr. 200 Bowdoin St. Dorchester 617-754-0100
Codman Square Health Ctr. 6 Noffolk St. Dorchester 617-825-9660
Dorchester Neighborhood Health Ctr. 1353 Dorchester Ave. Dorchester 617-825-9660
Uphams Corner Health Ctr.: Teen Clinic 500 Columbia Rd. Dorchester 617-287-0786 Hours: 2-4pm |
Suicide and Depression FACT: Anyone has the potential to commit suicide FACT: Teenage pregnancy is considered one of the prime reasons for teenage suicide FACT: Most people who kill themselves are really confused about whether or not they want to die FACT: Attempted suicide is a cry for help that often ends in tragedy
Help is available from the resources listed below: Remember that support services are always available at your school, too.
Samaritans (617) 247-0220 Samariteens (617) 247-8050 Bridge Over Troubled Waters (617) 423-9575 Massachusetts Mental Health Center (617) 734-1300
How to tell if someone you know is suicidal:
Are you stressed out from school? Are you anxious? Check out these sites…
Are you depressed?
What’s it like to go to a therapist? |
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Symptoms of Anorexia -Loss of at least 15% of body weight -Intense fear of weight gain -Distorted bogy image -In females, loss of three consecutive menstrual periods -Insistence on keeping weight below healthy minimum
Symptoms of Bulimia -Repeated episodes of binge eating and purging -Feeling out of control during a binge -Purging after a binge (use of laxatives and diet pills) -Extreme concern with body weight and shape
Overeaters Anonymous (617) 641-2303 This is a self-help group using a 12-step program
Short Term Support Group for Bulimia Nervosa at MGH Contact: Nicole Simi, Ph.D. at (617) 724-6300 x134-0187
Eating Disorders Clinic at Children’s Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue Call: (617) 355-7178 |
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Dating Violence intervention program: 617-868-8328 DOVE Teen dating violence program: 617-773-HURT Boston area rape crisis center: 617-492-RAPE Beth Israel Rape Crisis Intervention Program (24 hours): 617-735-3337
De Mujer a Mujer – this is a Spanish language group at MGH for women you have experienced abuse and control in their relationship Contact: HAVEN at (617) 887-3513
Women with Abuse or Controlling Partners support group run by HAVEN at MGH Free and confidential*** Contact: HAVEN at (617) 724-0054 Boston Contact: HAVEN at (781) 485-6108 Revere |
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HIV/AIDS -Free HIV counseling and testing at 333 Longwood, 5th floor (Children’s Hospital Adolescent/Young Clinic) (617) 355-8127 -For info on sex, STDs, assault: Mayor’s health line 617-534-5050 -Free support groups open to anyone living with HIV/AIDS at MGH
contact Vikki Segovia at (617) 887-4330 -(Un Nuevo Amanecer) Free support groups open to anyone Spanish speaking and living with HIV/AIDS at MGH contact Vikki Segovia at (617) 887-4330
Knowledge is Power! Share the Power, Not HIV Anonymous or confidential HIV/AIDS testing: MA HIV Counseling and Testing Hotline: 1-800-750-2016 You choose---her are your
options: Anonymous Testing is… -You DO NOT give your name, address, social security number, or any other identifying information-you get an anonymous code. -Your test result will be told only to you, face-to-face. Only YOU will know you have been tested for HIV. -No record of your test will exist; there will be
nothing in your medical records about getting tested for HIV.
Confidential testing is… -Your name, address, telephone number, and test result are kept separately from your medical records. -The test result is told ONLY TO YOU, but a record is kept in your confidential file. -A number of healthcare professionals and others may have access to your test result. Be sure you know who can have access to your file before getting a confidential test. -Your test result can be released only with your written authorization.
Got questions about Sex and Sexuality? |
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Teenagers who start drinking at age 15 are four times as likely to develop alcohol dependence than teens who start drinking at age 21!
Alcohol and Drug TX Center 24 hour helpline: 1-800-711-6375 Alcoholism and Drug Rehabilitation Bureau of Mass Dept. of Public Health: 150 Tremont St. Boston, MA 02111 (617)
727-1960 |
SAFE project 617-661-3991 Family Alcoholism Education series at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH): Maureen McGlame, LCSW 617-726-9216 Meeting times: every Thursday 5:30-6:30pm in Blum Center at MGH Children and Cancer: A Program for Parents This is a support group at MGH for parents whose children are being treated for cancer Contact: Elyse Levin-Russman, LICSW at (617) 724-0757 Alzheimer’s Disease Family Support Group at MGH Contact: Hawley-Maxam, LSW at (617) 724-0055 |
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Information about when and when not to send your children to school: One in three moms have sent their child to school or childcare sick (Working Mother magazine, Feb/March 2008). We understand that it can be difficult to decide when to send your child to school if he/she appears ill so here are some general guidelines to help you. Here are some guidelines for you: PARENTS ARE ENCOURAGED NOT TO SEND THEIR CHILD TO SCHOOL IF THEY APPEAR ILL. A child should remain at home for his or her own welfare and for the protection of other students. A child should remain at home if he or she has any of the following: · a severe cold · persistent cough · sore throat or swollen glands accompanied by a fever · an undiagnosed rash or skin eruptions · earache · red eyes or drainage from the eyes · vomiting or diarrhea within
the past 24 hours · a fever during the past 24 hours |
A Quiz to help figure out if your child might be abusing substances. |
Does Your child have an anxiety disorder or depression? |
How to talk to your teen about difficult issues: "Teenage years are not the time to impose new strict rules on children as this will only illicit rebellion and dramatic and exaggerated reactions," explains Dr. Yves Beaulieu, psychologist at The Montreal Children's Hospital of the MUHC. Instead Beaulieu suggests shifting some of the responsibility to the teen by explaining that adolescence is a time of self discovery, but that they have to be careful not to put themselves in dangerous situations. Impress upon them that they must always be in control of their body and mind. They
are responsible for themselves and you, as a parent, trust them and will not worry if you feel that they know to avoid risky situations which include such behaviours as drinking, drugs, or getting in a car with a friend that has been drinking. "This allows parents to give their teenager some of the autonomy that they are seeking, with adequate safeguards in place, while avoiding a confrontational situation. It is all about figuring out what your child wants and needs and defining an appropriate way or compromise to deal with it," says Beaulieu. Read More..
Thoughts of suicide should ALWAYS be taken seriously in your teen. If your teenager expresses suicidal thoughts, you should bring them to a local emergency room or call 911. Here are some helpful resources about teenage suicide:
For help with talking to your teen about alcohol use contact: Bureau of Substance Abuse Services, Department of Public Health 250 Washington StreetBoston, MA 02108-4609 Helpline:Telephone: 1-800-327-5050TTY: 1-617-536-5872
Some recommended books about talking to your teen:
Talking about death with your teen:
Talking about divorce with your teen:
Talking about war & terrorism: |
What could it cost you if you don’t have health insurance? Broken arm $2,670.00 Broken leg $11,277.00 Appendectomy $14,265.00 Call 1-877-MA-ENROLL to get health insurance information or log on to:
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