• Addressing the Crisis of Youth Mental Health

    IU-10 Central Intermediate Unit 60 Decibel Road, Suite 107, State College, PA, United States

    In December 2021, the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, issued, “A Surgeon General's Advisory on Protecting Youth Mental Health.” The Advisory brought attention to the significant mental health issues experienced by our youth, further impacted by the pandemic. In 2019, 16% of youth ages 12 - 17 reported experiencing a major depressive episode in

  • Bullying, Trauma and the Brain

    Masonic Conference Center - Patton Campus 1244 Bainbridge Road, Elizabethtown, PA, United States

    Research focused on bullying and cyberbullying among children and teens has found that the toxic stress from bullying victimization has a direct impact on the developing brain. Being targeted for bullying, particularly long-term bullying, impacts specific regions of the brain, leading to chronic emotional stress, compromised mental health and physical and social dysfunction. Researchers believe

  • The Adolescent Brain and Substance Use and Abuse

    MCIU (Montgomery County Imtermediate Unit) MCIU (Montgomery County Imtermediate Unit), Norristown, PA, United States

    Adolescence is a time of great growth, change and development. It's a time when young adults can shape their brain’s development. It is also the time when the brain is more vulnerable to use and abuse than the adult brain. This workshop will explore the short and long-term impact of substance use on the developing

  • Understanding the Cycle of Bullying and Trauma

    BHTEN (Behavioral Health Training & Education Network) Riverview Place, 520 Delaware Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, United States

    The CDC cited bullying as a widespread public health issue, referring to research that indicates bullying is common, and in many instances, shares a relationship with trauma, albeit a complex one. Being bullied can significantly impact the physical, emotional, social, academic and behavioral well-being of children and teens. Those who have been exposed to trauma

  • Moving From Trauma Sensitive to Trauma Informed Agencies and Schools

    Masonic Conference Center - Patton Campus 1244 Bainbridge Road, Elizabethtown, PA, United States

    We know that at least one in four school-aged children have been exposed to a traumatic event that impacts learning and behavior. Using a trauma-informed approach with youth recognizes how prevalent trauma is and the many ways that trauma can manifest. Working with youth within a trauma-informed framework endeavors to avoid re-traumatization while focusing on

  • This is Your Brain on Social Media

    MCIU (Montgomery County Imtermediate Unit) MCIU (Montgomery County Imtermediate Unit), Norristown, PA, United States

    Adults spend an average of three to four hours per day on their screens, while youth spend an average of seven. Children are getting smartphones earlier than ever  ̶  53% of kids have one by age 11, and 71% by age 12. While devices themselves are not addictive, the social connections they give us are

  • Understanding Teen Dating Violence – Webinar

    Dating violence impacts millions of teens each year, with 1 in 3 U.S. teens experiencing physical, sexual or emotional abuse from someone with whom they’re in a relationship. The vast majority of parents believe teen dating violence is not an issue, while only 30% of teens in an abusive relationship ever tell anyone about the

  • Understanding Teen Dating Violence – Webinar

    Dating violence impacts millions of teens each year, with 1 in 3 U.S. teens experiencing physical, sexual or emotional abuse from someone with whom they’re in a relationship. The vast majority of parents believe teen dating violence is not an issue, while only 30% of teens in an abusive relationship ever tell anyone about the

  • Connected, But Not … the Complicated Lives of Teens Today – Webinar

    Youth are more connected than ever, and those connections have changed how our youth connect. With a full 35% of teens preferring digital communications with their peers instead of in-person connections, there has been a real decline in face-to-face social interactions. At the same time, there has been a sharp rise in mental health issues

  • Substance Use & the Adolescent Brain – Webinar

    Adolescence is a time of great growth, change and development. It's a time when young adults can shape their brain’s development. It is also the time when the brain is more vulnerable to use and abuse than the adult brain. This workshop will explore the short and long-term impact of substance use on the developing

  • Sexting and Sextortion: The Impact on Youth – Webinar

    This workshop addresses sexting, sexual bullying and sextortion in digital speech and the resulting mental health issues and legal consequences. Participants will review the current research and trends focusing on youth’s involvement with technology, sexting and sextortion. Digital speech affords our youth the ability to send images via texting and a wide variety of apps

  • Developing Empathy & Creating Connections Among Youth – Webinar

    Is developing empathy an effective strategy in reducing bullying and helping youth create sustaining connections with others? Recent studies indicate the development of empathy can reduce bullying and harassment and create connections among peers. While it is ideal to teach empathy at an early age, there is a lot that can be done to develop