 As a parent, how do you find a teen drug prevention strategy that actually sinks in?
We don’t have to tell you that adolescent drug and alcohol abuse is a rising problem. In fact, some medical experts have called teen drug use the greatest single health issue in the United States. As a father, sometimes I don’t know exactly how to reach my kids. There are times when I feel if I don’t say what I need to in a text or hashtag, I’m not going to get through. Our children live in a world in which they’re bombarded with messages, coming at them instantly from every angle. I can’t help but worry that the right ones won’t get through all the noise. I know this concern is shared among many parents — particularly with regard to alcohol and drug abuse. With social media exacerbating the glamorization of substance abuse in traditional media, how do we make sure positive messages still get through? We need to find the right opportunities to talk about how we can help push prevention messages to our children. And I’m not talking about shoving images of the effects of drugs and alcohol into their faces...read more.
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 The desire to connect with others is universal, which is why social media has exploded over the years among people of all ages. When it comes to teens, just about everyone has at least one social media account to be able to connect with their “friends” at any given moment. A child’s virtual and in-person connections are important and highly influential in their lives, however, it cannot compare to the importance and influence of the parent-child connection—for better or worse. It’s the relationship between the parent or other caregiver and the child that serves as the backdrop of present and future interactions with others and highly impacts how young people make decisions. The parent-child relationship must be fostered and strengthened for healthy adolescent development.
Children whose relationships with their parents can be characterized as consistent, warm, kind, loving, and stable, are much more likely to: initiate positive social interactions with others, respond to situations with empathy, be cooperative with others, exhibit a higher self-esteem and make healthy life choices, including the decision not to use alcohol and other drugs. How to Enhance Your Parent-Child Connection Spend Time Together: Hanging out and having fun with your child is critical in building and fostering a close connection. Whether you get ice cream or spend an afternoon relaxing and watching movies at home, enjoy some “hang time” with your child. Include Friends: What better way to get to know your child’s friends than bringing them along on a family outing or inviting them over for dinner? It’s also important to get to know their friends’ parents. Listen: Put down your electronic devices and listen. Our kids want to be heard, and they want to feel like what they say matters to you. Listen attentively, then ask questions to show your interest. Talk: Your child wants and needs to hear from you on a variety of topics, including mental wellness and substance use. Children whose parents talk early and often with them about not using alcohol and other drugs are 50% less likely to smoke, drink or use other substances in the first place. Set Future Goals: Research shows that when youth set their sights on future goals, be it a position on a sports team or an academic scholarship, they make more careful choices. R-E-S-P-E-C-T: It is important to both give respect to your child and insist on it from your child. This is an occasion where if you give, you are much more likely to receive. Share Expectations: Most youth want to please their parents. Children whose parents set clear expectations are more likely to make better choices. Eat Dinner Together: While it need not be anything fancy, studies show that sitting down together to share a meal and conversation strengthens family connections. Adolescence is a time of many changes and big decision-making. Be sure to talk regularly, remain engaged in your child’s everyday life, and continuously strive to strengthen the connection. A strong and positive relationship now will serve you and your child both today and down the road. Sources MADD: Power of Parents. MissouriFamilies.org: What can parents do to keep connection with their teens? About Know! Parent Tips Everyone has a role in prevention. By reading and sharing this Know! Parent Tip today, you’re doing your part to prevent substance misuse and create a healthier world for all. We created these free parent tips to empower parents like you. Know! helps you promote health and wellness and protect the young person in your life from unhealthy behaviors, including alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use. However, we rely on donations from people like you to provide these tips. If you found this tip interesting or helpful, please consider donating at preventionactionalliance.org/donate. Know! Parent Tips are provided by Prevention Action Alliance with support from the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services, the Ohio Department of Education, and Start Talking!. Know! Parent Tips are also available in Spanish at the Know! archives.  Maintaining a steady routine of self-care is important for your mental and physical health, especially during these tough times. It all starts with getting plenty of sleep. If we don’t get our recommended 7-9 hours of rest each night, it might lead to problems such as increased stress, impaired cognitive thinking, poor attitudes, and the inability to focus.
Click here to read these self-care tips.  The pandemic wreaked havoc on many families’ summer plans, and now as school starts back in session, it appears the turbulence will continue. Some schools plan to take place in-person, some plan to go virtual, some are planning for a blended version. Regardless of how it starts off, most schools have been clear that all plans are subject to change depending on COVID-19 numbers—which gives way to more uncertainty.
Uncertainty means different things for different people, as we are each faced with unique family dynamics and circumstances. However, we are all in the same boat when it comes to the concern for how these changes will impact our children’s academic success, mental health, physical well-being, and futures. Whether your children are at home from the start or may be learning from home at some point, here are some tips to keep in mind to help them achieve success academically, stay physically and mentally healthy, and forge ahead with resiliency. Six R’s for less stress homeschooling: Realistic Expectations: This is a key starting point. Set your standards high but be sure to give yourself and your children grace along the way. Don’t strive for perfection. Don’t be too intense. Don’t overschedule. Simply do your best as you step into this type of teaching role while encouraging your child to do the same. Requirements: Be clear on what is required of your child weekly and daily. Monitor their ability to comprehend the task at hand and complete the assignment. Depending on your individual child, your necessary level of involvement will vary—which means potentially more work and more stress for some families than others. Rules and Routine: Create rules surrounding time for work and play. Many families find that it works best to get the schoolwork completed first, then have the rest of the day for play. If your child’s school requires them to be on live sessions, that will determine their schedule to some degree. However, it is up to you and your child to come up with a routine that fits best—then stick to it. Relief: This comes in the form of self-care for you and for your child so that you can be in the best frame of mind to be helpful, and your child can be in the best frame of mind to continue learning. It’s essential that all parties involved are getting enough sleep, eating well-balanced diets, getting exercise, and making time to relax. Resources: Check first with your child’s school to see what they have to offer, then go online as there are endless free resources to help with homeschooling. Many of us got our first taste of homeschooling back in the spring when schools were shutting down across the nation. Depending on how that went for you and your child(ren), you may be feeling more or less stressed about beginning the new school year at home. You are encouraged to take it one day, one subject, one lesson at a time, and remember that we are all in this together and that this too shall pass. Sources NBC, Today Show, Hoda and Jenna Interview with Michelle Borba Ed.D., Angela Braniff, Andrea Thorpe; Education – The Newest Chapter. Aug. 11, 2020. Know! Parent Tips are provided by Prevention Action Alliance with support from the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services, the Ohio Department of Education, and Start Talking!. Know! Parent Tips are also available in Spanish at the Know! archives.  May is Mental Health Month and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is spreading the message: You Are Not Alone. Now more than ever, people have to know they’re not alone. There is an especially urgent need to raise awareness on the importance of mental health as anxiety, depression, and thoughts of suicide have skyrocketed since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As we are all aware, sheltering-in-place and social distancing went into effect to reduce human contact and slow the spread of the virus. According to a report in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), while these efforts have been successful in flattening the curve, they have unfortunately brought about some devastating secondary consequences that increase the risk for depression and suicide, including:
It is not human nature to isolate or socially distance oneself from others. Fortunately, many people are reaching out for help. One resource people are turning to is the Disaster Distress Helpline, a national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. According to a CNN report, in March 2020, the helpline saw a 338% increase in call volume compared with February 2020. And compared to last year for the month of March, they had an 891% increase of calls. Suicide has been on the rise for the past two decades. It is the second leading cause of death among 15 to 24-year-olds and more than 9.4 million adults in the United States report having had serious thoughts of suicide within the past 12 months. Keep in mind, these numbers are prior to the various economic, psychological, and health-associated changes that COVID-19 has introduced. Warning Signs to Look for Some are calling this pandemic the perfect storm for increased suicides because so many negative factors are striking all at once. The risk is even higher for those already dealing with mental health issues. It is critically important to check in on your children regularly, as well as other family members and friends regarding their mental well-being. You must also take into consideration your own mental health, and be aware of the warning signs of suicide. If someone you know is showing one or more of the following behaviors, he or she may be thinking about suicide. Do not ignore these warning signs. Get help immediately.
Remember, you are not alone. If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Trained crisis workers are available to talk 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Or, get help from the Crisis Text Line by texting 4hope to 741 741 or call the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services’ COVID CareLine at 1-800-720-9616. If you think someone is in immediate danger, do not leave that person alone—stay there and call 911. For more information visit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at suicidepreventionlifeline.org. Sources
About Know! Parent Tips Everyone has a role in prevention. By reading and sharing this Know! Parent Tip today, you’re doing your part to prevent substance misuse and create a healthier world for all. We created these free parent tips to empower parents like you. Know! helps you promote health and wellness and protect the young person in your life from unhealthy behaviors, including alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use. However, we rely on donations from people like you to provide these tips. If you found this tip interesting or helpful, please consider donating at preventionactionalliance.org/donate. Know! Parent Tips are provided by Prevention Action Alliance with support from the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services, the Ohio Department of Education, and Start Talking!. Know! Parent Tips are also available in Spanish at the Know! archives. The world as we knew it has changed due to COVID-19. Even as governors talk about ending some social distancing protections, people’s physical, mental, and emotional health remain at risk. As a nation, we’ve been checking in, reaching out, and helping our families, friends, and complete strangers. The question is, have you checked in with YOURSELF? How are you feeling, and what coping strategies are you using to deal with this newfound or added anxiety, stress, and uncertainty for the future?
Some People are Coping with Alcohol If you’re unlocking the liquor cabinet as a way to de-stress during these challenging times, you’re not alone. According to research conducted by Nielsen, alcohol sales have skyrocketed. In comparison to last year, in the week ending March 21, 2020:
There is nothing wrong with enjoying an occasional glass of wine or a mixed drink at home (so long as you are of age and are cleared to do so by your doctor). However, when you’re pouring a drink to deal with stress it increases the potential to experience problematic drinking. Alcohol is an Unhealthy Coping Mechanism According to the Mayo Clinic, drinking too much alcohol on a single occasion or over a period of time can cause significant health problems, including a weakened immune system. In turn, this makes it harder for your body to resist disease, and increases your risk of various illnesses, especially pneumonia. Weakening our immune system goes against everything we are trying to accomplish during this time. And when it comes to relieving stress and anxiety, drinking can actually worsen the situation, as alcohol alters levels of serotonin (which regulates mood and happiness), along with other neurotransmitters in the brain. How much is too much? The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) says there are three levels of drinking, two of which are problematic: Moderate Drinking: 1 drink per day for women of legal drinking age and up to 2 drinks per day for men of legal drinking age. Binge Drinking: 4 or more drinks for women and 5 or more drinks for men - consumed within about 2 hours; or a pattern of drinking that brings blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08 percent or higher. Heavy Alcohol Use: 4 drinks or more on any day for men or more than 3 drinks for women. Binge drinking and heavy alcohol use are absolutely problematic. If you find yourself or your loved ones to be drinking this much, seek help from a professional at findtreatment.gov. Even with moderate drinking however, one should take caution that alcohol is not being used to cope with stress, anxiety, or boredom. While gyms are closed and we cannot socialize in-person, we can still take walks, breathe in the fresh air, meditate, reach out to friends, and be there for our families. Lastly, you should be aware of how your coping skills and the choices you’re making now are impacting your children. The example you set today will impact and influence your children and how they deal with stress and anxiety during this crisis and future crises. Sources
Everyone has a role in prevention. By reading and sharing this Know! Parent Tip today, you’re doing your part to prevent substance misuse and create a healthier world for all. We created these free parent tips to empower parents like you. Know! helps you promote health and wellness and protect the young person in your life from unhealthy behaviors, including alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use. However, we rely on donations from people like you to provide these tips. If you found this tip interesting or helpful, please consider donating at preventionactionalliance.org/donate. Know! Parent Tips are provided by Prevention Action Alliance with support from the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services, the Ohio Department of Education, and Start Talking!. Who: KSAAT & Local Law Enforcement Agencies
What: Drug Take Back Day When: April 25, 2020 Drop-off Locations: Mount Vernon Police Department Fredericktown Police Department Knox County Sheriff’s Office Knox County, OH – With families encouraged to stay at home due to the nationwide health crisis, the Drug Enforcement Administration is asking Americans to keep prescription medications safe and secure until they can properly dispose of them. DEA in cooperation with local organizations like KSAAT and local law enforcement holds its National Prescription Drug Take Back Day twice a year. However, because of the current nationwide coronavirus pandemic, DEA postponed the 2020 Spring Take Back Day, originally scheduled for April 25, 2020. The Take Back day will be rescheduled for a date shortly after the health crisis recedes and national emergency guidelines are lifted. If you have medications to dispose of there are three 24/7 drop-boxes located in Knox County for year round disposal. These locations include; the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, the Fredericktown Police Department and the Mount Vernon Police Department. These 24/7 drop-boxes remain anonymous and contact free; however, please do not put liquids, inhalers, syringes or illegals in the drop-boxes. It is vital to secure and dispose of medications properly. Many Americans are not aware that medicines left in one’s home are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are at alarming rates, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. If you are unable to make it out to any of the three drop box locations Knox County residents can request a free Deterra Drug Deactivation pouch by calling 740-392-2200 ext. 2229. These pouches allow for the safe destruction of medications, liquids and patches at home. Visit ksaat.org for more information. We know that for many tweens and teens, their social connectedness is what drives them. When their social lives are not only disrupted but literally stopped in their tracks, it can have devastating consequences. At this point, the novelty of being out of school has likely worn off, and the reality of social distancing has set in. And while being six feet apart or hunkered down in our homes slows the spread of this virus, the physical and mental implications can include isolation and loneliness.
This ongoing isolation and loneliness can lead to depression, which can in turn lead to numerous adverse mental health and physical impacts, such as:
Study after study shows the importance of social connectedness to one’s physical and mental health. While experts typically encourage youth to put down the electronics and enjoy in-person interactions, these are unique circumstances. People of all ages are encouraged to grab their electronic gadgets to get and stay connected. Tweens and teens are experts at connecting with friends on social media, by text, Facetime, or Skype, to name a few. But how about challenging them to get creative with their virtual connections. They could do a workout session with a group of friends via Google Hangout; come up with an exercise contest made up of burpees, push-ups and planks; jump rope together and see who can go the longest; or give group yoga a try. If the weather cooperates, encourage your teen or tween to take it outside. They can remain at home or in their respective outdoor space to maintain appropriate social distance. This way they can get some fresh air, in addition to exercise and “facetime” with friends—three big components to their health and wellness. They can also connect virtually to watch movies, create a healthy meal, or even go old school and simply just talk to each other. Of course, too much time online is not a good thing either. There must be balance. This is where the silver lining to this current situation comes into play—the chance for families to slow down and spend more quality time together. Family Support Is Key According to Search Institute, there are 40 Developmental Assets that contribute to a child’s success in life. The first two assets listed are family support and positive family communication:
While positive connections with friends is hugely important in preventing feelings of isolation and loneliness during this time, a child’s positive connection with their parent(s) is monumental. With all this in mind, we want to encourage our teens and tweens to maintain those positive connections with their friends. At the same time, we must take the lead to connect more with our children by engaging in activities with them, talking with them daily, and keeping up to date on how they are feeling about and dealing with their new “normal.” It will go a long way for our children’s successful development, health, and well-being both now and in the years to come. Sources
Everyone has a role in prevention. By reading and sharing this Know! Parent Tip today, you’re doing your part to prevent substance misuse and create a healthier world for all. We created these free parent tips to empower parents like you. Know! helps you promote health and wellness and protect the young person in your life from unhealthy behaviors, including alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use. However, we rely on donations from people like you to provide these tips. If you found this tip interesting or helpful, please consider donating at preventionactionalliance.org/donate. Know! Parent Tips are provided by Prevention Action Alliance with support from the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services, the Ohio Department of Education, and Start Talking!. Know! Parent Tips are also available in Spanish at the Know! archives.  The World Health Organization has declared COVID-19, also known as coronavirus, a pandemic. Whether or not you believe the response to COVID-19 is proportionate, there is no doubt that children are being directly touched. Their schools are closing, their academic and extracurricular activities are being cancelled, their spring break family trips are being postponed, and restrictions are being placed on mass gatherings. They’re also seeing and hearing the vast concerns of some and outright panic of others as local and national leaders attempt to control the spread of the virus.
Everyone is talking about coronavirus. The question is, are you talking about it with your children? Signs of Fear While individuals will react differently to stressful situations, children in general, tend to experience more intense emotions. Some level of fear and anxiety in this type of crisis is an expected and appropriate reaction. Keep an eye out for these common changes in young people that may signal a negative response to the current events unfolding around them (according to the CDC):
How to Talk about COVID-19 Children will look to us, as parents and caregivers, to see how we respond to the pandemic. If we deal with this situation calmly and confidently, our children are much more likely to do the same. It is important that we, along with our children, take breaks, get plenty of sleep, exercise, eat well, stay connected to friends and family, and stay positive. In doing so we are better able to support our children. Other things we can do to support our children include (according to the CDC):
For additional and up-to-date information on COVID-19 visit:
Sources About Know! Parent Tips Everyone has a role in prevention. By reading and sharing this Know! Parent Tip today, you’re doing your part to prevent substance misuse and create a healthier world for all. We created these free parent tips to empower parents like you. Know! helps you promote health and wellness and protect the young person in your life from unhealthy behaviors, including alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use. However, we rely on donations from people like you to provide these tips. If you found this tip interesting or helpful, please consider donating at preventionactionalliance.org/donate. Know! Parent Tips are provided by Prevention Action Alliance with support from the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services, the Ohio Department of Education, and Start Talking!. Know! Parent Tips are also available in Spanish at the Know! archives. When you have children in your life, you never know what each new year will have in store for them. It’s exciting and a bit nerve-wracking at the same time, especially when those children are approaching or in their teen years. As parents, we look for ways to encourage their positive developmental growth, while keeping them healthy and safe.
Lucky for us, scholars at the Center for Addiction have been researching this topic for many years, and studies show time and again that one item in particular has held steady through the years as making a huge difference in promoting healthy, safe, positive growth for youth—family dinners. The benefits of families sitting down together for a meal is so powerful in fact that an entire health campaign has been built around it called “The Dinner Table Project.” The Dinner Table Project This project was created by prevention experts from Four Rivers Behavioral Health Regional Prevention Center in Paducah, Kentucky. It’s founded on the belief that families who eat together form stronger, healthier relationships. They say that children who have better relationships with their parents and siblings are at a significantly reduced risk for smoking, drinking, and using other drugs, and that these youth have also been found to have:
To make the most of family dinners, consider establishing some “guidelines” to get everyone involved and engaged. There are many parts to preparing a family meal, so divvy up the responsibilities among all family members. Start by getting everyone’s input on nutritious meal ideas, then assign one person to help with food prep and cooking, while someone else is responsible for setting the table and filling the drinks. Someone should be in charge of cleanup, but the whole family must agree to pitch in. Another guideline to include is that each person must contribute to the table conversation in some manner. Turn off the TV during dinner and incorporate a “no electronics” rule at the table. Dinner Appetizers and Conversation Starters You’ve now got an electronic-free, ready-to-chat, captive audience. This makes for an incredible opportunity to talk about the big stuff, like sharing your stance on underage drinking and smoking. It is equally important, however, to have lighter talks with your children as well, that allow you to simply connect with them and open the lines of communication. To get young people talking, ask open ended questions that require more than a one-word answer, like these from the Dinner Table Project:
If the dinner hour doesn’t seem to work, try coming together for breakfast before school or for lunch over the weekend. It’s the gathering around the table as a family, sharing a meal, and talking to each other that deepens our connections and strengthens our bonds. It’s well worth doing all you can to make it happen as often and regularly as possible. Sources
Everyone has a role in prevention. By reading this Know! Parent Tip today, you’re doing your part to prevent substance misuse and create a healthier world for all. We created these free parent tips to empower parents like you to protect the young person in your life from alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. However, we rely on donations from people like you to provide these tips. If you found this tip interesting or helpful, please consider donating at preventionactionalliance.org/donate. Know! Parent Tips are provided by Prevention Action Alliance with support from the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services, the Ohio Department of Education, and Start Talking!. Know! Parent Tips are also available in Spanish at the Know! archives |
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