Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
February is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. This is an issue that impacts everyone – not just teens – but their parents, teachers, friends and communities as well. Together, we can raise the nation’s awareness about teen dating violence and promote safe, healthy relationships.
- Dating Basics for a Healthy Relationship
- Learn about Healthy Relationships
- The importance of personal safety
- Find ways to support others
How Do I Get Help?
If you know of a teen or parent that could benefit from speaking to a caring, well-trained peer advocate, please connect them with the National Dating Abuse Helpline, a project of the National Domestic Violence Hotline, at 1-866-331-9474, by texting “loveis” to 77054, or through live chat at loveisrespect.org.
Local Resources: Hope’s Door, One Love
Facts About Fentanyl
A Parent’s Guide For Discussing Fentanyl With Kids
By Heather Hugelmeyer, LCSW , Director of Behavioral Health, Northwell Garden City Treatment Center
Talking with your kids about drugs is a conversation no parent looks forward to having, but it’s also an essential one. And that’s especially true today because of the dangers of fentanyl—an extremely potent synthetic opioid that’s been linked to the majority of overdose drugs in the U.S. today.
Here’s everything you need to know so you can talk to your kids about fentanyl.
Start the conversation early—and keep talking
When kids are still in elementary school, that’s when you should start having age-appropriate conversations about drugs, alcohol, smoking, and vaping. Keep in mind, at this age you’re not having detailed conversations, but you do want them to know that these substances exist in the world and that they can have significant and serious consequences.
Once kids get into middle school, that’s when we’re seeing them begin to experiment with taking prescription drugs that are found in the home, as well as vaping. So that’s when you need to start having these conversations in a more in-depth, age-appropriate way. Let them know that fentanyl is a dangerous component that is being found in all kinds of drugs and that it can be deadly.
By the time your child is in high school, you as a parent need to be fully educated about the dangers of fentanyl and what you can do to help reduce the risk of drug overdose. That includes safely disposing of old prescription medicines and learning about overdose prevention.
Keep in mind, this should be a series of conversations rather than a one-time thing. Continue reading here.
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.
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.
February 15 – 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. Presented by our partners at Drug Crisis in Our Backyard. Register by email: ssal@drugcrisisinourbackyard.com
March 2 – Invitation to Change Workshop with CRAFT Strategies
CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training) presented by Center for Motivation and Change and 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.
Upcoming Events
February 5 – Early Attachment: Why Emotional Bonds Matter
Attachment theory is among the most popular concepts in children’s mental health. Explore the stages of attachment, what secure attachment looks like, and the impact of insecure attachments in this one-hour webinar with a licensed therapist. Part 1 of a 3-part series. Register here.
February 13 – What Every Parent Needs to Know About Adolescent Substance Use
If you’re a parent, you know that a lot has changed since you were a kid. That’s why Dr. Danielle Dick, from Rutgers University and author of The Child Code, is joining Operation Parent for a two-part series on adolescent substance use. In this first part, you will hear about about the latest trends in tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, and other drugs. You will also learn the science behind the adolescent brain to gain a better understand of the behaviors you may be seeing and to prevent future problems. Register here.
February 27 – Know Your Child’s Neuro: Positive Empowerment for Elementary Parents
Dr. Crystal Collier joins Operation Parent again to educate parents, clinicians, and educators on the principles of modifying behavior. In this webinar, Dr. Collier provides practical advice for nurturing optimal brain development and enhancing preventive skills in children from Kindergarten through 5th grade. The prevalence of high-risk behavior among kids is occurring at younger ages. Dr. Collier enables parents to be proactive, empowering them to prepare their children for potential exposure to social media, gaming, and substances. The session will address strategies for promoting positive behavior and reducing negative tendencies. Feel free to bring your questions! Register here.
February 28 – Responding in 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.
The Parent Support Network
The Parent Support Network is a program of Mental Health America 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.