50 SEPTEMBER 2024 By Rachael Bouley September marks National Suicide Prevention Month, a time to acknowledge lives lost and families impacted, as well as raise awareness and spread messages of hope. According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, youth suicide is the leading cause of death for ages 10-14 and 15-24. Katey McPherson is one of the many mental health advocates who are on a mission to reduce suicide and save lives. As a mother to four teen daughters and a long- time educator, guidance counselor and school administrator, she knows how important it is to help teens through troubling times and show them that there is support for any struggles they may face. Nine years ago, McPherson left her educator/counselor role with the Scottsdale and Gilbert School Districts to travel around Arizona and the United States to teach staff and parents about digital wellness and safety. The childhood advocate and education consultant has seen great strides in mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially in school settings and higher education. “The college students that have recently graduated have rallied hard for mental health issues to be de-stigmatized and that mental health is as important as physical health,” McPherson said. “This is trickling down to K-12 populations who feel like seeking help is not bad, and when distress is present, it is okay not to be okay.” To support youth suicide prevention, the State of Arizona formed a work group for adolescents and young adults under 25 to focus on the unique challenges they face in person and online. The group has expanded to include adults and seniors. “It is so important to nor malize the conversation and include all voices at the table. The more we can use a public health model, the better for an ‘all hands on deck’ approach,” McPherson explained. “It takes everyone in a community to tackle this: business and faith leaders, schools, parents, law enforcement and business/government leaders to fund programming and make change happen.” With the rise of social media and cyberbullying, parents and caregivers should strive to be aware of what teens may be seeing and posting online. “I speak about digital footprints and how it is so important that if you are using the Internet or social media, your footprint needs to remain shiny and responsible,” McPherson said. “So many kids have no idea that their digital footprint is being looked at, and universities and others offering them future opportunities like jobs or the military are watching their social media handles, deciding whether they should be invited to apply.” McPherson also stresses the impact of devices, social media, and video games on the developing brain, recommending kids and adults leave phones outside the bedroom at night. “Kids need 8-12 hours of sleep, and some only get 4-6 hours. My standard tagline is nothing good happens after 8 p.m. with an underdeveloped brain on a device,” she said. In addition to mental health advocacy, McPherson serves as the director of professional development for Bark, an AI app for parents and school faculty. Bark monitors texts, emails, and 30+ apps and social media platforms for cyberbullying, adult content, predators, profanity, suicidal ideation, threats and more. Parents receive text or email alerts when potential problems pop up online, and there are options for app and website blocking, location-sharing alerts, check-ins and screen time management. “The Bark app and phone are doing amazingly well. We are also getting ready to launch a watch, which should be super awesome,” McPherson said. “We continue to alert families to safety and wellness issues at a steady pace and bolster awareness of what children are doing online while offering practical tips to build trust with children. It is a team approach to digital wellness at Bark.” McPherson suggests the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for anyone nationwide needing help. There are call, text, and chat options for teens and adults struggling with mental health or experiencing suicidal ideation. She says a trusted adult will have a long-lasting impact, helping students navigate their feelings while seeking professional support. “Every week, I receive a text or email from a mom or dad who has attended one of my workshops, a panel, or documentary screening who said learning this information has helped save their student from distress and sometimes from taking their own lives,” McPherson shared. “Those powerful stories inspire me to keep talking and raising awareness.” kateymcpherson.com Digital wellness plays critical role in suicide prevention WHAT IS BARK PHONE? The Bark phone is a current generation Samsung device that offers parents more control. Parents can monitor texts, apps, social media, and web searches; track location for peace of mind; block websites and apps; approve app downloads; set app time limits, lock the phone from a remote location; manage calls and contacts; receive alerts for dangers and set remote alarms. One of the most reviewed features is that kids aren’t able to delete texts without permission, download workaround VPNs, or change the parental controls you set. Unlike the Bark app, this software is built directly into the phone and automatically monitors texts, emails, social media and apps. bark.us Katey McPherson September’s cookbook recommendation: “Market Vegetarian” by Ross Dobson September’s novel recommendation: “Pearce Oysters” by Joselyn Takacs September’s recipe: Corn chowder I t’s hard to believe that corn had its beginning in the form of a wild grass called teosinte . The kernels were small and not placed close together like the modern veggie. Harder to grasp is the fact that that DNA studies of ancient kernels and cobs reveal the earliest known evidence of domesticated corn is from 8000 B.C. in what is now the Rio Balsas region of Mexico. There’s indirect evidence suggesting that corn may have been domesticated as far back as 10,000 years. The oldest kind is called pod corn because in addition to the husks around the short ears, each individual kernel has its own wrapping. Thanks to Christopher Columbus, corn became popular around the world, and new heirloom varieties arose as people selected it for their climate and preferences. It was thought that the veggie came to southern Arizona and New Mexico along the highland corridors of the Sierra Madre Mountains, but we now know that a new genetic variety with larger cobs and kernels was introduced from the Pacific Coast. That same study delved into the DNA of 32 archaeological sites across North America detailing ancient corn and cob samples spanning 6,000 years. Original Indian corn had white kernels on a red cob. Through crossbreeding, white sweet corn grew on a light-colored cob. The Incas developed approximately 300 varieties by the 15th century and in the late 19th century, a yellow strain called Golden Bantam was developed by William Chambers. Hybrid corn became an agricultural staple in the late 1930s through the 60s as breeders found ways of producing hybrid seeds without the intensive hand labor necessary with old methods. Hybrid corn has the advantage of growing fast and bearing heavily. Disadvantages include a need for ample water and heavy feeding to support growth and bearing. Genetically modified corn is problematic. While it is resistant to earworms, the caterpillar-killing pollen blows around the neighborhood affecting the larvae of butterflies and pollinating moths. Scientists are still divided on the safety of the caterpillar toxin for consumption by humans and livestock. Yes, it is a concern here in the Valley. The history of corn is fascinating to delve into. Don’t dismiss the veggie as another known ingredient used in the making of chips, oil, polenta, tortillas and baby food. It is also used in hand soap, chewing gum, the adhesive used on envelopes, peanut butter, paints, paving bricks, wax paper, mouthwash and ethanol that is added to our gas in winter. Corn is sacred to the Navajo and Hopi Nations. The Navajo use its pollen as a blessing and offering during prayer. The Hopi sprinkle cornmeal to welcome the kachinas (spirit being) to the Corn Mother, described as “a perfect ear of corn whose tip ends in four full kernels,” and is saved for rituals. Depending on where you live, corn is grown mostly for livestock feed, but many home gardeners delight in growing it. Every stalk produces one to two good years of sweet corn. Instead of boiling the ears, which deplete the nutrients, the easiest way to prepare is to remove the husks and the silk. Wrap each ear in a wet paper towel and microwave for approximately two minutes. Keeping the ears crisp is the goal, so you might find yourself experimenting a bit. Whether you use the kernels to make soup or chili, corn pudding, toppings for salad, in cowboy caviar, dips and salsas, fritters, or skillet pasta and casserole dishes, the options are endless. Smiling from ear to ear Thyme in My Kitchen BY SHERRY KLUSMAN thyme.in.my.kitchen

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