• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
  • Events
  • Join Our Team
  • In the News
  • Blog
  • William Penn Campaign
Donate Patient Portal
Family First Health

Family First Health

A community health care center

  • Schedule Appointment
  • Services
    • Medical Services
      • Integrated Substance Use Services
      • Integrated Behavioral Health Services
      • Optometry
    • Dental Services
      • Mobile School Dentist Program
    • Podiatry
    • Community Health Programs
      • Caring Together
      • Nurse-Family Partnership
      • Connections For a Healthy Pregnancy
    • COVID-19 Information
  • Providers
  • Patient Info
    • Patient Info & Forms
    • Insurance & Sliding Fee
    • Patient Portal
    • Instructions for Medical Records Requests
  • Locations
    • Columbia Dental
    • Columbia Medical
    • George Street
    • Gettysburg
    • Hannah Penn
    • Hanover
    • Lebanon
    • Lewisberry
    • Springwood Road Dental
    • William Penn
  • Watch
    • Vaccine Stories
    • Community Health Briefings
    • Let’s Talk Health
  • About
    • Careers
      • FFH Community Scholars Program
    • Contact
    • Financials

FOX43: Vaping in kids linked to poor mental health | Health Smart

YORK, Pa. – Two health organizations are currently working with the York City School District to address the concerning trend of kids vaping.

In some cases, it’s children as young as 10 years old.

“The rise in youth use of those vaping products is a serious issue, not just in this area, but across the country,” said Nikole Tome of Family First Health.

York County health officials are warning families about the serious trend spreading among kids and teens. Both the York City School District and Family First Health Center administrators say the rise in vaping among younger age groups is directly tied to mental health.

“With mental health issues that are maybe not being handled appropriately, students are outleting to something that’s not healthy, whether it be vaping or another, you know, risky behavior,” said Tome.

Data from 2019 from the United States Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration shows more than 5 million high school-aged students reported vaping nicotine in the past 30 days.

Tome says the school-based health center manager with Family First at Hannah Penn says this kind of behavior can cause serious long-term issues.

“Introducing any type of chemical to the brain that really shouldn’t be there, like nicotine, can set a person up for an addiction with that chemical, or potentially others, you know, that are even worse… so the fact that they’re more willing to try it, but also not recognizing its connection to lifetime addiction,” Tome said.

That’s why Family First teamed up with nonprofit the Byrnes Health Education Center to bring information about the dangers of vaping directly to York students. They recently visited classrooms with students in the fifth and sixth grades.

“You can have substance abuse conversations as early as pre-k and kindergarten,” Tome said. “It can start with conversations around medications, how to take them the right way.”

“Sometimes doing education – especially on substance use at a young age – is uncomfortable, but doing it in an age-appropriate way is so valuable because that allows students to have that knowledge before they make those decisions,” she said.

And even if there isn’t school-based intervention, Tome says it’s really important for parents to be open and honest.

“If parents don’t have that kind of factual information, I would say it’s okay to say that and to reference out you know, maybe look at websites together to find the facts,” she suggested.

Watch the video here

Category iconIn the News

Join Our Family

Sign up for occasional emails tailored towards family and community well-being.

Sign Up

From Our Patients

  • This is the most friendly, caring, and compassionate doctors office I've ever been to. You are a person with concerns and issues and ailments to them and they do everything they can to help. Everything is explained so you completely understand what the next step is.
    Lewisberry Site Patient
    Heather | Lewisberry, PA
  • I love this place. My kids are addressed by their names, fast to get us in to be seen, its clean, very friendly. Always have a warm atmosphere. I LOVE IT HERE, first time I trust a practice with my babies!
    Columbia Site Patient
    Milagros | Columbia, PA
  • I've had some of the best experiences when using their dental services as well as the plethora of other services they provide. I really like the staff and they have all been super nice and friendly, I recommend that people take advantage of the services they provide!
    George Street Site Patient
    Dirk | York, PA
  • The receptionists are very pleasant. I would recommend this office to any of my friends who might need a doctor or dentist. The fact that they have someone who can help translate for my family has been such a convenience. I can't thank them enough.
    Gettysburg Site Patient
    Mrs. H | Gettysburg, PA

Footer

Contact

Contact Us

717-845-8617

Patient Portal

  • YouTube
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram

About

  • About Us
  • Locations
  • Our Providers
  • News

Patients

  • Medical Services
  • Dental Services
  • Services
  • Patient Portal
  • Insurance & Sliding Fee

Careers

  • Careers
  • Job Listings
  • Staff Login

All Content © 2023 Family First Health
Legal Disclaimer • Privacy Policy