When kids enter high school they have more freedom coupled with increased academic demands and social stress. This can lead to an increased risk of unhealthy behaviors. Plus, they often have the false perception that “everyone is doing it” – particularly around substance use. However, studies show that when youth have regular conversations about substance use with a trusted parent, caregiver, coach, or other adults they are less likely to drink alcohol and use drugs compared to other students. In fact, these conversations are one of the most effective prevention methods against the use of alcohol and other substances.
Category: Mental Health
We Are Not Alone: Community Connectedness and Resilience
by Hawa Shir, Program Coordinator, Westbrook Partners for Prevention During the past few years, people have been facing a variety of adverse challenges in their individual lives. Collectively, those individual challenges have impacted communities as a whole. Communities experience adverse situations together. However, connectedness can be lost when bombarded with various disasters and tragedies. Having […]
Supporting Mental Health for Youth
While middle school years and high school years can be stressful, the bottom line is that more of our kids reported signs of mental health issues: too many feel that don’t feel they matter and have even contemplated suicide.
