Every day, thousands of young people experience bullying from their peers at school, after school in their neighborhoods, and even when they are at home, through social media and texts. There are many ways to support bullying prevention as an individual or with friends, family, your school, or your entire community.
What Parents Should Know About Bullying
- Definition, Impact and Roles
- Laws and Policy
- Helping Your Child
- Working with the School
- Mobile and Online Safety
National Teen Driver Safety Week
October 16 – 20, 2022
Research shows teens exit the learner’s permit period of driving with significant skill deficits, leading to a much higher risk of crashing compared with more experienced drivers. Understanding teen driving risks can help families navigate the learning-to-drive process and beyond. Visit Teen Driver Source to increase your knowledge of facts and statistics about teen driver risks.
Parents can help manage teen driving risks by making sure their teen drivers follow GDL laws and other traffic safety laws. Parents can also influence teen driving risks by staying involved and modeling safe driving behaviors. Watch the video below to improve communication with your teen:
For more information, visit Teen Driver Source.
Red Ribbon Week:
October 23 – 31, 2022
Enrique “Kiki” Camarena was a special agent who worked for the Drug Enforcement Administration. In 1985, he was kidnapped by drug traffickers in Guadalajara, Mexico. His murder and death brought anger to the community and was a catalyst for the Red Ribbon Campaign.
Together in Kiki’s honor, parents and youth in communities nationwide began wearing Red Ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to raise awareness around his killing and the destruction caused by drugs in America.
Show us how you celebrate life and live drug free! Have someone take a picture of you holding up the Red Ribbon Theme Sign, or make your own, and post it to Social Media during Red Ribbon Week from October 23 through 31st. Add the hashtags #CelebrateLifeLiveDrugFree and #RedRibbonWeek. You could win an Amazon gift card!
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!
Upcoming Events & Webinars
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 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 through confidential, peer-to-peer meetings. For a list of upcoming virtual meetings, click here.
October 4th: Understanding Anxiety
Occasional anxiety is an expected part of life. But anxiety disorders involve more than temporary worry. An accessible guide to understanding what causes anxiety disorders and the types of anxiety, their symptoms, common misconceptions, and how relationships are impacted. Discuss co-occurring disorders, treatment options, and learn practical tips for managing symptoms and helping others with a licensed therapist. Register for FREE here.
October 6th: The Science Behind Mental Health
Diagnosing mental illness isn’t like diagnosing other chronic diseases. Are mental health disorders best understood as physical illnesses that affect the brain? Or do these disorders belong in a category all their own? An accessible guide to understanding the causes, treatment and prevention of mental illness. Separate myths and facts on this often-misunderstood topic.. Register for FREE here.
October 12th: Understanding Self-Harm: Cutting, Self-Injury, and Self-Mutilation
Self-injury is a complex behavior that is difficult to understand if you haven’t experienced it. Explore what self-harm is and is not, why people purposefully hurt themselves, and the symptoms to look for. Dispel myths and stereotypes and learn what treatments are most effective with a licensed therapist. Register for FREE here.
October 22nd: Invitation to Change Workshop with CRAFT Strategies
Back by popular demand. 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 now.
October 25th: Relationships, Family, and Mental Health
The complicated nature of mental illnesses can make relationships challenging, and caregiver stress — the emotional and physical stress of caregiving — is common. Learn strategies to set boundaries, respond to difficult behavior, and manage your own stress in this one-hour webinar with a licensed therapist. Register for FREE here.
October 31st: Managing Emotions through Connection
How does the emotional support we do / do not receive as children impact our ability to manage emotions as adults? Learn the types of emotional support children need from infancy through adolescence, and the tools caregivers need to provide what each stage needs. Register for FREE here.
Please visit the ASK calendar here for more upcoming events and follow ASK on social media!