We know that you had many options when it came to your end-of-year giving. Why not choose local and give to the Alliance for Safe Kids with your beginning-of-year giving? A gift to ASK is also a gift to Drug Crisis in Our Backyard and it would be amazing to kick off 2025 with your support of our New Year Appeal!
“I started attending the Spotlight Family Support Group a short time after we did an intervention on my son back in early 2015. The unwavering support of this group is like no other. Even though my son has been in recovery for almost 10 years, this group has been – and always will be – a big part of my life because I truly believe that it saved my life, too.” – Anonymous
Your gift today will not only support the important weekly programs being provided by Drug Crisis in our Backyard, it will also help continue to provide the ongoing connections that ASK makes between the community and potentially lifesaving resources, such as the Save A Life Wellness Fair.
ASK has been operating with very limited funds but with your help, we may continue the important work within our community and beyond. Thank you for your support and belief in our mission.
How New Year’s Resolutions Impact Mental Health
The New Year doesn’t have to be a brand new you. You can create healthy resolutions by following these steps:
- Be reasonable. Expect yourself to fail at times, and know that results might be slow-moving. Understand that life happens and things can get in the way of your goals, so try to ensure your goals are healthy and can be achieved without harming your physical or mental health.
- Create a timeline. Try to avoid being rigid in your timeline, and understand that your timeline should not be compared to anyone else’s. It will be more proactive and productive to make small, incremental goals instead of extreme expectations.
- Monitor progress. Understand that nothing changes overnight, so it might be helpful to find an accountability partner to help you monitor progress. Keep a journal to acknowledge your feelings regarding your progress, and document your feelings about your goals and what obstacles you face.
- Allow flexibility. Offer yourself flexibility and give yourself grace. If you don’t do well this month, try again next month! Instead of trying to set goals that might not benefit your mental health, find activities that make you happy instead.
Take the time to do something fun and adventurous, and prioritize your health over punishing yourself. If you find yourself struggling in giving yourself grace and putting pressure on yourself, it may be time to reach out to a mental health professional. They can provide more tools on ways to set goals and how to create healthy boundaries with yourself. Read more.
Facts About Fentanyl
How does fentanyl reach young people? Read 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!
The 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.
January 16 – 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
Student Assistance Services Corner
“Helping Students Enhance Their Well Being by Making Healthy Decisions and Remaining Substance Free”
A partnership between a parent/guardian and Student Assistance Counselor best supports the nurturing of the social and emotional wellbeing of students. We encourage you to contact the SAC at your child’s school for a confidential consultation. Click here to learn more.
Lakeland High School | Sasha Meyer Porco, LMSW, CASAC, smeyerporco@lakelandschools.org
Yorktown High School | Kiara Loughran, MS, sacounselor@yorktown.org
Lakeland Copper Beech Middle School | Ms. Finan, MS, lfinan@lakelandschools.org
Check out what we have been up to in the schools!
Upcoming Events
January 7 – Understanding Seasonal Depression
Do the winter months get you down more than you think they should? Explore the signs and symptoms of seasonal affective disorder, when it’s time to see a doctor, and what treatment options are available. Register here.
January 9 – 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. Register here.
January 22 – Teen Mental Health: Time for a Reset
We are in the midst of a youth mental health crisis with teens increasingly reporting persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness, along with increased suicide rates. This presentation is hosted by K.N.O.W. 2 Prevent and will help you navigate the challenges of managing boundaries and policies regarding sleep, substance use, media, etc. Register here.
January 28 – Understanding Oppositional Defiant Disorder
It’s not unusual for children and teenagers to be defiant, and to question authority on occasion. Discuss how disordered behavior is distinguished from typical child development. 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.