Drug-Free Youth Coalition: Two Free Online Video Series Supporting Youth Health and Wellness Launch

Empower caregivers in raising resilient, thriving children

The Drug-Free Youth Coalition, in collaboration with the Child Mind Institute, proudly introduces two evidence-based resource series designed to empower caregivers in raising resilient, thriving children.

Healthy Minds, Thriving Kids offers free, evidence-based video and print resources for caregivers and educators to teach students at the elementary, middle, and high school levels essential, age-appropriate mental health and coping skills.

Why the California Healthy Minds, Thriving Kids Project?

• Approximately 20% of children experience a mental health or learning disorder.

• COVID has put every child in the nation under unprecedented stress: Personal trauma, economic and learning loss, and continuing uncertainty.

• Youth have never needed foundational mental health skills more than they do right now.

  
  

The evidence-based video series with accompanying study guides includes introductory videos for caregivers and educators, as well as videos to teach kids five clinically proven mental health skills:

• Understanding Feelings: Students will learn that better understanding and recognizing their emotions can be an important first step toward healthy coping and deeper relationships.

• Relaxation Skills: Students will learn specific relaxation skills, such as paced breathing, to use when experiencing intense or uncomfortable emotions.

• Understanding Thoughts: Students will learn about the connections between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and how they can change their thinking patterns to make them more helpful.

• Managing Intense Emotions: Students will learn to recognize and manage intense emotions without giving in to the urge to act impulsively, which can worsen problems.

• Mindfulness: Students will learn that paying attention to the present moment can increase self-awareness, improve decision-making, and make it easier to manage uncomfortable emotions.

  
  

Positive Parenting, Thriving Kids is a powerful free video series designed to equip caregivers with invaluable, evidence-based strategies for nurturing resilient and thriving children. Each video is accompanied by learning guides and additional resources, with careful consideration of programs adapted for diverse populations.

The Positive Parenting, Thriving Kids series helps provide parents and caregivers with the support they need to face today’s parenting challenges. The videos cover 20 topics that address a wide range of situations, such as how to promote good behavior in children, how to talk about alcohol and drugs with your teen, and why it’s important for caregivers to take care of themselves. The topics were identified by a team of more than 40 experts and other leading institutions.

The videos feature an incredibly diverse group of individuals, including 150 parents, caregivers, and children. The Positive Parenting, Thriving Kids topics cover four broad themes, including:

• Self-Care and Parent-Child Relationships

• Healthy Child and Adolescent Growth

• Big Changes and Challenges

• Family and Community Stressors

  
  

Positive Parenting, Thriving Kids focuses on providing resources for caregivers to better support the mental health and well-being of the children in their lives.

We are confident these innovative tools will serve families and caregivers as instruments of positive change, offering renewed optimism and prioritizing the mental health of our nation’s children and adolescents.

Nationwide, rates of anxiety, depression, and self-harm are climbing. In 2019, 74.0% of students reported feeling moderate or high symptoms of depression, 14.4% of students reported self-harm, 19.9% of 12th graders, and 18.9% of 10th graders reported considering suicide. Meanwhile, the nationwide mental health provider shortage is causing longer wait times for appointments to community-based mental health providers. Availability is particularly limited among the uninsured, people of color, people with low incomes, and people with disabilities.

To learn more, contact Samantha at 717-683-2942 or visit the Drug-Free Youth Coalition: https://www.drugfreeyouth.net/challenges

Drug-Free Youth Coalition