The Child Mind Institute has created this exceptional video addressing how and when to talk to your kids about drugs and alcohol. Parents are generally pretty clear that the conversation must be had, but we can easily push it off out of fear, or because we really don’t have a clear script in mind and don’t know what to expect. Oftentimes, our parents did not have this conversation with us, and we have no role models in how to proceed. This video not only gives terrific talking points, but acknowledges how difficult it can be, and provides strategies for keeping the lines of communication open.
Some highlights from the (7 minute) video are:
By Melissa Ronan, LMSW, Pelham Together Executive Board Member, and Chair of the Pelham Together Mental Health Committee
It’s not just that your teen is drinking. The bigger issue with teenage drinking is that many kids drink to cope instead of learning to cope. And teens with mental health problems often drink to self-medicate, camouflaging the symptoms of underlying issues that are developing. Studies show that the later kids start drinking, the less likely they are to ever develop a substance abuse problem. So delaying or minimizing teen drinking has significant long-term benefits to their physical and emotional well-being.
Read MoreOn October 5, 2021, former NBA star, Chris Herren, spoke to all 9th - 12th graders at PMHS about substance abuse, self-esteem, and taking care of one another. The night before, Chris addressed the Pelham community with a related message of overcoming adversity and challenging parents to “ask why” if their children come home high. Click here for an article by the Pelham Examiner covering the student assembly.
Read MoreHow to foster productive communication with your teen about alcohol use.
Read MoreGetting help for a young person with a mental health disorder or a substance use problem is hard. It’s even harder when these disorders occur in the same person.
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