ESD 123 Student Support Services kicked off the summer with great programming around youth mental health support and substance abuse prevention.
Briseida Chavez, Marijuana/Tobacco Prevention and Education Specialist, facilitated a Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) course in Spanish on June 3rd at Highlands Middle School in Kennewick. YMHFA teaches a 5-step action plan to offer initial help to young people showing signs of a mental illness or in a crisis, and connect them with the appropriate professional, peer, social, or self-help care. The free course was available to Spanish-speaking parents and community members who have or work with youth ages 12 to 18. Participants said they appreciated receiving this valuable information in their native language.
On June 6th in Pasco and June 13th in Sunnyside, the ESD 123 Marijuana & Tobacco Prevention Program, which focuses on preventing youth substance use by providing spaces where youth can learn healthy coping skills like creating art, held free Canvas Art Workshops for youth. Hollie Zepeda of Art YOUR Way led students in painting while they learned about vaping prevention. Thank you to the Tierra Vida Community and Sunnyside United-Unidos for hosting us!
Learn more about ESD 123 Student Support Services at
www.esd123.org/services/student-support, and find upcoming YMHFA courses at
www.esd123.org/learn.