The Alliance for Safe Kids (ASK) extends a warm welcome to each and every new subscriber from Drug Crisis in our Backyard!
ASK’s mission is to connect the community to important resources that support youth mental health; substance use prevention, treatment and recovery; and opportunities for thoughtful service. Our mission is in alignment with Drug Crisis in our Backyard and as we move forward in a stronger partnership we are working toward still providing important programs such as: Naloxone training; Spotlight Family Support Groups; CRAFT and Invitation to Change training.
Your continued support is appreciated and will not only help to maintain the ongoing connections between the community and potentially lifesaving resources, but will allow for important programs to continue.
Thank you and welcome to ASK!
Teen Anxiety in Summer: Causes, Symptoms and How to Cope
(Source: Newport Academy)
School’s out. The weather’s warmer. Days are longer. Free time is plentiful. There’s no homework and maybe a vacation to look forward to. And yet, for some adolescents, teen anxiety in summer is worse than other times of the year.
For young people with anxiety disorders or those who tend to be more anxious in general, summer can be rough. For these teens, higher temperatures, more sunlight, and less structure aren’t mood boosters. On the contrary, they’re anxiety triggers.
Key Takeaways
- Anxious teens can experience more anxiety in the summer due to many factors, including lack of structure and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
- When the body’s core temperature rises because of overexposure to hot weather, anxiety can rise, too.
- Anxious adolescents benefit from physical activity, adequate rest, and minimal exposure to prolonged heat and humidity.
- A summer program for teens can help decrease anxiety and give young people positive coping skills.
Facts About Fentanyl
What is a fentapill?
(Source: Song for Charlie)
That’s what we call the millions of fake prescription pills that have flooded the market since about 2014. See, drug dealers are business people, and they follow the money. As long as there is a demand for Xanax, Oxycodone, Percocet and the like, they will find the easiest, most profitable way to supply them. Learn more.
Volunteer Opportunities
There are a variety of volunteer opportunities at awesome nonprofits throughout Westchester and Putnam Counties. To view these opportunities, please check out Volunteer New York!
Yorktown Leos Club
Leadership, Experience, Opportunity! The Yorktown Leos are a community service club for people ages 12-25 willing to help others in the community. They host and participate in a variety of fun and collaborative events. The Yorktown Leos Club has been helping the Yorktown community for over 25 years and to learn how to get involved, click here.
Upcoming Events
During the month of August, ASK has been selected as the beneficiary of the Stop & Shop Community Bag Program! Each time the $2.50 reusable Community Bag is purchased at the Stop & Shop at 80 Birdsall Road in Somers, we will receive a $1 donation.
Weekly Spotlight Family Support Groups
From our partners at Drug Crisis in Our Backyard, weekly Spotlight Family Support Groups, held virtually every Tuesday and Wednesday via Zoom. Spotlight on Recovery is a Family Educational and Support Group for families struggling with a loved one misusing substances. For more information, click here.
The Parent Support Network
The Parent Support Network is a program of The Youth Mental Health Project that seeks to provide support for parents and guardians who are concerned about the mental health of their children (ages 1 -25) through confidential, peer-to-peer meetings. For a list of upcoming virtual meetings, click here.
NAMI Westchester
The families and members of NAMI Westchester are here to help! They offer understanding to anyone concerned about mental illnesses and the treatment of mental illness. To view their calendar, click here.
Westchester Breathes is an ongoing program offered by the Westchester Library System offering an experience of gentle movement, breathing and relaxation exercises that reduce stress and anxiety and increase a sense of calm and well-being. These exercises are simple and evidence-based – which is to say …they work! They are free and on Zoom. Register here.
August 1 – National Night Out
Join ASK at the Yorktown Police Department’s National Night Out! This wonderful community event will be held at the Jack DeVito Veterans’ Memorial Track and Field, 6-9pm.
August 2 – Responding in a Mental Health Emergency
We know what to do when someone breaks their arm: brace it and go to the hospital. But what should you do when someone is experiencing a mental health emergency? Learn what causes crisis situations and the warning signs, how to respond, and what to do once the crisis has ended. Register here.
August 14 – You Worry Too Much! Understanding Anxiety in Children and Adolescents
Young people are often aware that persistent anxious thoughts are not typical, and may hide their symptoms due to confusion, embarrassment, and shame. Explore the causes and symptoms of anxiety in youth, treatment options, and practical ways you can provide support in this one-hour seminar with a licensed therapist. Register here.
August 28 – Powerful Words
Social media can create unrealistic expectations that leave young people feeling discouraged, empty, and depressed. It’s essential for parents, caregivers, and educators to know how to respond. Learn how to respond when youth are feeling discouraged and what words of encouragement you can use to help young people feel positive about themselves, regardless of challenges they may face, or how others may view them. Register here.
August 29 – Digital Parenting
Kids and teens seem to be the experts of smartphones, social media, tablets, and all the other new technology. Learn how you can become the expert with this free webinar with Family Tech. Register here.
September 30 – 5K Run for Recovery
Support ASK – Prevention, Recovery and Treatment by Registering Today!
October 21: Invitation to Change Workshop with CRAFT Strategies
CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training) presented by Center for Motivation and Change and our partners at Drug Crisis in Our Backyard. Learn tools that can give you hope, help a loved one move away from substance use and apply better techniques to help you take care of yourself. Excellent workshop for anyone hoping to influence change in a loved one’s behavior. Register here.