Northern Lakes Community Mental Health » Helpful Links for Families

Caring for Our Youth: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Resources for Families

Northern Lakes CMH — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 05:08:03 +0000

As young people move into their teens, parents face seemingly endless challenges to ensure their adolescents’ health and safety – an increasingly difficult and stressful task as teens push for more independence. Parents want to ensure that their teens make the right choices, hang out with the “right” people, and live productive, alcohol- and drug-free lives.

When parents are actively involved in their teens’ lives, teens are more apt to avoid circumstances involving alcohol and drugs. Research shows that teens who are not regularly monitored by their parents are four times more likely to use drugs, compared with regularly-monitored teens.

To help teen parents and families prevent and address teen alcohol and drug abuse, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Health Information Network created Caring for Our Youth Web site. You will find quick links to information, available for quick download or hard-copy mail order, such as these:

One resource is a publication called Keeping Your Teens Drug Free. This easy-to-read booklet provides ideas and examples of the skills busy parents and caregivers can use to keep their teens away from marijuana and other illicit drugs.

Another resource is a top-quality multimedia CD called The Teen Years: A Road Map for Parents. This CD provides wonderful insights about how teens develop throughout adolescence and offers expert advice for parents on how they can best guide their teens through this transitional time. The CD complements the booklet, Navigating the Teen Years: A Parent’s Handbook for Raising Healthy Teens.

New Online Community for Young Adults

Northern Lakes CMH — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 17:52:05 +0000

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has launched StrengthofUs.org, a new online community where young adults living with mental health concerns can provide mutual support in navigating unique challenges and opportunities during the critical transition years from ages 18 to 25.

Developed by young adults, StrengthofUs.org is a user-driven social networking community where members can connect with peers, share personal stories, creativity and helpful resources by writing and responding to blog entries, engaging in discussion groups and sharing videos, photos and other news.

The site offers resources on issues important to young adults, including:

Healthy relationships
Family and friends
Campus life
Independent living
Finances
Employment
Housing
Mental health issues

A Family Guide To Keeping Youth Mentally Healthy & Drug Free

Northern Lakes CMH — Thu, 27 May 2010 05:21:33 +0000

Here is a public education Web site developed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to communicate to parents and other caring adults about how they can help promote their child’s mental health and reduce his or her risk for becoming involved with alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs: http://www.family.samhsa.gov.

National Poison Prevention Week

Northern Lakes CMH — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 09:43:39 +0000

National Poison Prevention Week, the third week in March each year, is a week nationally designated to highlight the dangers of poisonings and how to prevent them. However, every day people can and do prevent poisonings. We invite you to review the information compiled by the Poison Prevention Week Council and become actively involved in helping ensure the safety of children and adults in your home and your community.

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week

Northern Lakes CMH — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 09:08:54 +0000

February 28 – March 6, 2010 is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. If you are an individual living with an eating disorder (such as anorexia or bulima), a family member, or a friend looking to offer support to a loved one, or a treatment professional looking to help others, check out the National Eating Disorders Association for information. You’ll find a downloadable survival guide, a document on insurance issues, stories of hope, things parents can do to help prevent eating disorders in their children, and much more.

Helping Children Get Ready for School

Northern Lakes CMH — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 09:38:13 +0000

Here is a helpful and informative parent handout that describes “Everyday Ways” parents can help their young children get ready for the school years.

Free Interactive Learning Tool for Birth to Three

Northern Lakes CMH — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 09:33:32 +0000

ZERO TO THREE: National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families, has a web-based, interactive learning tool designed to help parents and caregivers support their young children’s early learning. You’ll find age-based information on how children develop the four key skills–language and literacy skills, thinking skills, self-confidence and self-control–that are critical to later school success. Click here to access the School Readiness Interactive portion of the site.

Preventing Teen Alcohol & Drug Abuse: What Parents Can Do

Northern Lakes CMH — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:00:14 +0000

It is important for parents to know the facts about alcohol and drug use and to be prepared, considering nearly a third of 12- and 13-year-olds has been offered and used an illicit drug. However, it’s promising that when teens know the facts, dangers, and risks associated with drug use they are 42% less likely to use them.

The Web site includes quick links to information, available for quick download or hard-copy mail order. The resources offer parents and families access to trusted information to help prevent and address alcohol and drug use, including research and facts, signs and symptoms, tips for talking to teens, and more. Some resources are also available in Spanish.

Know what your children are doing — their activities and how they spend their time.
Know who your teen’s friends are.
Check in with the parents who are hosting the party your teen will be attending.
Praise and reward good behavior.
Before going out, have them tell you:

WHO they are going to be spending time with
WHAT they will be doing
WHEN or what time they will be at their expected destination
WHERE they are going to be. Every once in a while, check on your teens to see if they’re where they said they would be.

Resources
SAMHSA 1-877-SAMHSA-7
Caring for Our Youth 1-800-729-6686
Too Smart To Start
Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator 1-800-662-HELP

Parenting Tools for children birth to age 5

Northern Lakes CMH — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:30:24 +0000

The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL) is focused on promoting the social emotional development and school readiness of young children birth to age 5. CSEFEL is a national resource center funded by the Office of Head Start and Child Care Bureau for disseminating research and evidence-based practices to early childhood programs across the country.

CSEFEL has developed training modules that can be downloaded for free. They also have printable handouts for families. There is a lot of information here!

Handouts range from nurturing your child’s emotional development, to encouraging your child’s persistence, to teaching your child discipline and self-control, to how to respond to your toddler’s challenging behavior, and much more. Take a look!

Michigan Project "Great Start" for children aged birth to three

Northern Lakes CMH — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:17:39 +0000

The Michigan Project Great Start is all about Michigan’s youngest children, ages birth to age three. On the left hand side of the site, you can click on Tools for Parents and find information and material to help give your child a great start. There is a place to order R.E.A.D.Y. kits for parents, family members and caregivers. These have engaging information, materials and learning activities to help children develop language and literacy skills. Information on health, helping your child to read, and choosing a school are also included at Great Start.