The majority of our youth are emotionally healthy, yet one in every four to five youth overall meet the criteria for a mental health disorder that places them at risk for severe impairment and/or distress. Substance abuse, anxiety, depression and attention deficit hyperactivity are the most commonly diagnosed disorders. There are many reasons for concern for the mental health of our youth: suicide is now the 2nd leading cause of death for teens and youth in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems are at an even higher risk for mental health disorders. The impact of trauma on youth and the negative impact that social media sites and apps can have on young people is also alarming. This workshop will:

• Review the current research addressing the mental health of youth
• Look at the signs and symptoms of behavioral health concerns
• Examine how trauma impacts learning and development
• Discuss how to appropriately respond to youth experiencing mental health issues
• Look at resilience and education and prevention options for schools and agencies