Download a printable English & Spanish PDF newsletter here or read below.
Let's Talk Newsletter - Winter 2024 Edition
Welcome to the third edition of our community newsletter for the 2024-2025 school year! In this issue, we’re excited to share our commitment to preventing substance use and promoting mental health. This edition highlights valuable resources for parents, upcoming events, and exciting opportunities like an art submission request for Wellness Journal 2.0! Together, we aim to provide user-friendly tools and information to empower all adults in fostering a safe, healthy environment for our youth. We encourage you to explore these resources and share them with friends and family!
Get the Facts
- Influential Adults: You are the most powerful influence in the decisions your teen makes about drugs. More than friends. More than celebrities. That's why it's important for teens to hear from you about not using cannabis (also known as marijuana), alcohol, or other drugs, and for them to learn to make healthy choices, including finding healthy ways to cope during difficult times. For more resources and information visit starttalkingnow.org
- Cannabis - also called marijuana, pot, or weed - can get in the way of you keeping your mind, body, and mood happy and healthy.
- Brain Development: Cannabis use can alter brain chemistry, affecting memory, learning, and intelligence, especially in teens whose brains develop until their 20s.
- Mental Health Risks: High-THC products may increase stress, anxiety, depression, and paranoia.
- Addiction Risk: Teens who use cannabis are four times more likely to develop dependence.
- Driving Danger: Cannabis impairs coordination and reaction time, increasing crash risks. Visit the site for more details!
Spotlight: Teens in the Driver Seat Program
Car crashes are a leading cause of death and injury for teens in America. The Teens in the Driver Seat Program helps raise awareness about teen driving risks and provides tools to prevent crashes in your community. You can download the app from the App Store or Google Play Store! The app makes it easy to monitor safe driving habits. Learn more about common teen driving risks and how you can educate others to make safer choices behind the wheel. Follow @teensdriverseat for updates and helpful tips!
Wellness Journal 2.0
SHARE! SHARE! SHARE! For Wellness Journal 2.0, teens in your community have the opportunity to share original artwork, activity prompts, coping strategies, or positive affirmations relating to any of the following topics:
- Mental health
- Self-care
- Healthy day or nighttime routines
- Relationships and role models
- Refusal skills and boundaries
- Prevention messaging
Like last year, teens will be compensated for their contributions.
For more information and for submissions please reach out to Briseida Chavez at [email protected].
Connect
Prosser Thrive Coalition - Prosser
Their mission is to build and sustain a healthy community through youth substance abuse prevention and education. Join the coalition at their general meeting on the 3rd Thursday of every month at 8:15 a.m. at Foundation Bible Church. Check out their website
www.prosserthrive.org for more information on the great work they are doing!
- Prosser Youth Cafe: The Thrive Youth Cafe is a vibrant space for middle and high schoolers to relax after school. They can enjoy food and drinks while hanging out with friends. The cafe features a cozy atmosphere with music playing, a dedicated homework room for studying with tutoring offered on Wednesdays, and exciting activities every Thursday that encourage participation and engagement. It’s a fun and supportive environment where youth can connect, learn, and have a great time! It is open Monday-Thursday after school.
- Mural Project underway within the cafe to create a more inviting, inclusive space for youth!
Safe Yakima Valley - Grandview Coalition
Their coalition is dedicated to preventing youth substance use by reducing risk factors and strengthening protective factors that support healthy choices. They collaborate with committed community members to coordinate youth substance use prevention efforts. Coalition Meetings occur Monthly on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 12 - 1 p.m. at The Grandview Library (500 W Main St Grandview, WA 98930).
Upcoming Training:
Youth Mental Health First Aid: April 19 & May 20
This course helps parents, caregivers, and others support teens (ages 12-18) facing mental health or substance use challenges, including during a crisis. Designed for adults who work with youth, it covers common mental health issues, adolescent development, and a 5-step action plan to provide effective support.
ESD 123 is offering this valuable training free of charge to our community!
The Spanish training will take place in Othello from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 19. Check in is at 7:45 a.m. Contact Briseida Chavez at (509) 492-0572 or by email at
[email protected] to register.
The English training will take place at ESD 123 in Pasco from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20.
Resources:
FocusOnYouWA.org
WA Recovery Help Line: 866-789-1511
Teen Link: 866-833-6546 | TeenLink.org
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988
For more information you can visit
www.esd123.org/prevention or contact Briseida Chavez,
[email protected] and Anna Ramirez,
[email protected].
This newsletter is a product of the ESD 123 Student Support Department.