Four ways parents can help teens use AI safely
(American Psychological Association)
Your teenager is already using artificial intelligence daily—often without even realizing it. Unlike social media, where teens know they’re talking to people, AI works invisibly through predictive text, chatbots, and personalized recommendations, shaping their experiences in ways teenagers don’t recognize.
APA’s health advisory, “Artificial Intelligence and Adolescent Well-being,” reveals both promising opportunities and important challenges with AI technology for teens. With adolescence (ages 10–25) constituting a critical period of brain development, understanding how to navigate AI thoughtfully can help maximize benefits while avoiding potential pitfalls.
“Like social media, AI is neither inherently good nor bad,” says APA Chief of Psychology Mitch Prinstein, PhD. “But we have already seen instances where adolescents developed unhealthy ‘relationships’ with chatbots. Some adolescents may not even know they are interacting with AI, which is why it is crucial that developers put guardrails in place now.”
Virtual Save A Life Wellness Fair
ASK’s virtual Save A Life Wellness Fair will connect you to resources that support Substance Misuse Prevention, Treatment and Recovery; Mental Health and Opportunities for Thoughtful Service.
Click here to view the virtual Save A Life Wellness Fair and download the application on your phone. You never know when you, a friend, neighbor or loved one may need this vital information and by having it readily available it truly may be the most important gift you have ever given yourself or shared.
Life is hard, let’s be prepared to take good care of ourselves and one another.
Facts About Fentanyl
Death Delivered to Your Doorstep
Deceptive drugs made of fentanyl are killing young people across America at an alarming rate. Fentanyl is infiltrating our communities through counterfeit pills, cocaine and any other street drug you can name. Anonymously sold through social media and delivered within minutes. Learn about it now before it kills you or someone you love.
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!
John C. Hart Memorial Library in Shrub Oak can always use some volunteers! To find out about their Teen Volunteer Program, click here.
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.
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.
Weekly Yoga for Resilience
Do you have a loved one struggling with addiction? Are you feeling overwhelmed? Carve out time for yourself so you may respond to your loved one with a clear mind and an open heart. Join us on Zoom and we will come together in a safe space to practice somatic mindfulness, grounding and centering, containment and breath regulation. For more information, click here.
August 21 – Virtual Naloxone Training
Naloxone is a prescription medicine that reverses an overdose by blocking heroin or other opioids in the nervous system for 30-90 minutes. Naloxone is administered by injection or intranasal. Following training, participants receive a kit by mail. Please join our partners at Drug Crisis in Our Backyard on Zoom at 6:30pm. Register by email: ssal@drugcrisisinourbackyard.com
Student Assistance Services Corner
Typically we share news from the Student Assistance Counselors in the Lakeland and Yorktown Central School Districts in this section, but this month we are featuring some great work that has been done by the Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry and Irvington Student Assistance Counselors.
These videos were shared by Juliana Caputo, LMSW and Student Assistance Counselor at Dobbs Ferry Middle and High Schools. Juliana has a long history with ASK, as she began volunteering with us while in the 6th grade. She participated in and led many valuable initiatives throughout high school and college, and currently sits on the ASK Board of Directors. We are fortunate to have her being so engaged with ASK over the years and continue to be grateful for her thoughtful insight and professional expertise.
Thank you to all of the Student Assistance Counselors that help students enhance their well being by making healthy decisions and remaining substance free!
Upcoming Events
August 5 – Yorktown Police Department’s National Night Out
Join ASK and our community partners at the Yorktown Police Department’s National Night Out! There will be live music, fun for the kids, tractor hay rides, food, beverages and the chance to meet and chat with the men and women of the YPD. This wonderful community event will be held at the Jack DeVito Veterans’ Memorial Track and Field, 6pm – 9pm. See you there!
August 6 – Self-Care and Wellbeing: A Hands-On Approach for Better Health
It’s normal to experience anxiety, fear, anger, and grief during times of uncertainty. Now, more than ever, it’s important to recognize these feelings and allow time to recharge – but too often we feel guilty for taking time to meet our basic needs. Explore what self-care is, why it’s so important, and practical tips for incorporating self-care into your daily life. Register here.
August 12 – 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 19 – The Connection Between Substance Use Disorders and Mental Illness
Substance use disorders and mental illnesses are caused by overlapping risk factors. Explore the reciprocal relationship between substance use and mental illness, and discuss the role of genetics, environment, and trauma with a licensed therapist
August 25 – You Worry Too Much! Understanding Anxiety in Kids & Teens
Explore the causes and symptoms of anxiety in children and adolescents, evidence-based treatment options, and practical ways you can provide support in this one-hour seminar with a licensed therapist. Register here.
August 26 – Talk Early, Talk Often: Prevent Underage Substance Use
You’ll learn how alcohol and cannabis affect the developing brain, how parenting must evolve as kids grow, and what truly works to reduce risky behaviors. Register 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.