These frightfully delicious and healthy recipes are sure to get anyone in the spooky spirit. Tasty, nutritious foods presented in a fun way can help kids get excited about healthy eating and makes mealtime fun!

In honor of World Mental Health Day held on October 10, take a moment to prioritize your mental well-being. By practicing mindfulness, taking a break or reaching out for support we can take small steps to make a difference in out mental health. 

This month is an excellent time to remind your community of the services available to provide mental health support. 

Flu season is here! Stay healthy and protect your family and community by practicing healthy habits.  Vaccines are our best defense against the flu - make a plan to get your flu shot this year. 

October 15 is World Handwashing Day, a great time to educate on the importance of hand hygiene and its role in preventing the spread of germs.  

Exciting Research Opportunity: Help Us Understand Personality Development in Children!

Are you curious about how personality disorders develop from an early age? Our study explores how the brain’s response to social feedback—like feeling accepted or thinking about yourself—affects personality growth.

Join us as we dive into the connection between brain processes, social acceptance, and self-perception in shaping who we are. 

Your participation can make a difference in understanding children's personality functioning! Interested? Learn more and see if your child may qualify!

The Pennsylvania Department of Health Youth Advisory Council is now accepting applications for its 2025 program year. Participating youth will discuss public health topics and provide feedback to the Department of Health and other youth-serving agencies to inform planning, programming, and messaging through regional and statewide meetings. There is also the opportunity to work on a yearlong passion project. YAC youth will interact with peers, young adults, and other professionals to create a network of relationships focused on elevating the youth voice in public health

Would your school like to partner with Penn State? Would you like to expand your students’ exposure to health-related research? Penn State PRO Wellness offers a unique STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics) enrichment program to high schools that connects adolescents with health professionals engaged in research. The Adolescent Health Network allows researchers to seek youth input as they plan their studies. This feedback could focus on the design and recruitment strategies of the study, the layout and wording of study materials, and plans for sharing study results. Participation is via a web-based meeting platform (e.g. Zoom) in groups of 9-12 including teens from other high schools. Students gain first-hand experience with the scientific process, which directly impacts youth research. 

Complete the interest form to learn more about how your school can get involved. 

Whether you receive this newsletter as a parent, a teacher, a school nurse or a community member, we hope you enjoy the health and wellness information and resources we share in the Healthy Champions Monthly Newsletter. To share these resources with your network, encourage them to sign up for the newsletter by using the link below. 

phone: (717) 531-1440 | email: PROwellness@pennstatehealth.psu.edu