Download a printable English & Spanish PDF newsletter here or read below.
Let's Talk Newsletter - Winter 2024 Edition
Welcome to the second edition of our community newsletter for the 2024-2025 school year! In this issue, we’re excited to share updates on our ongoing efforts to support families and promote youth well-being. As part of our commitment to preventing substance use and promoting mental health, we’ve been collaborating with the Benton-Franklin Health District on a community needs assessment to gather feedback and better understand how to serve our community.
This edition also highlights valuable resources for parents, upcoming events, and exciting opportunities like the Youth Prevention Summit, where young leaders help shape the event. 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!
- Peer pressure is more likely when teens have misperceptions about their peers’ use (“everybody’s doing it”) or when substance use is inadvertently “glorified.” For adolescents, the science is clear: ANY use puts them at risk.
- The adolescent brain is uniquely vulnerable to substance use. 90% of adults with a substance use disorder started using marijuana, alcohol, or nicotine before age 18.
- Healthy habits at home: The environment in your home plays a big role in your child’s decisions. Keep it healthy to help kids avoid harmful habits.
- If you smoke or vape, try quitting. Teens report that one of the top reasons they try e-cigarettes is that a friend or family member uses them. Share the reasons why you want to quit, andask your family for their support as you start your journey. Establish a tobacco-free home. Don’t allow smoking or vaping in your home. Make sure to ban smoking and vaping in your car too.
- Steer clear of smoking and vaping in public places. Avoid restaurants, parks, and other locations that allow people to smoke or vape.
- Set family health goals each week. Take a walk together around the neighborhood, try a new vegetable each week at dinner, do one-minute yoga stretches together, or challenge everyone to drink more water. Working as a team keeps it fun!
Resources
Mental Health & Wellness
Self-Care Project
- Washington teens, ages 12 – 18, are encouraged to submit up to two vertical videos that are 20-45 seconds long of a selfcare activity that brings joy or helps them de-stress. Youth can visit www.youcanwa.org/submit-your-self-care-videos/ for guidance and tips on video submissions.
The deadline is Feb. 12, 2025 and teens will receive a $20 Amazon gift card for each video.
Teens in the Drivers Seat Program
- Car crashes are a leading cause of death and injury for teens in America. The Teens in the Driver Seat program is here to help raise awareness about teen driving risks and provide tools to prevent crashes in your community.
- You can download the app from the Apple iOS 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!
Other Resources:
- FocusOnYouWA.org
- WA Recovery Help Line: 866-789-1511
- Teen Link: 866-833-6546 | TeenLink.org
- Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988
Upcoming Training
Youth Mental Health First Aid - Jan. 15, 2025
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! This
training is in English.
Register now here!
For more information you can visit www.esd123.org/services/student-support/marijuana_prevention_education or contact Briseida Chavez, [email protected], and Anna Ramirez, [email protected]. This newsletter is a product of the ESD 123 Student Support Department.