Hello 7th-12th Grade Families
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The Trauma-Informed Community Network (TICN) is a multi-disciplinary, multi-agency effort to implement and support Trauma Informed Care initiatives across the Human Services System. It is an initiative of the Partnership for a Healthier Fairfax.
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Search Institute’s research is demonstrating that when young people experience developmental relationships with parents, educators, youth program staff, and other adults their outcomes are
better, their risk behaviors are lower, and they are more likely to be on the path to thrive in life.
This year’s FCPS Mental Health and Wellness Conference was held virtually over a three-week period from September 14 to October 3. Several sessions were recorded and are now available on the FCPS YouTube channel. See the Mental Health and Wellness Conference video playlist.
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Join substance abuse counselor Kelly Rankin for a conversation about early signs of substance use disorder and how to have an important conversation with your child about addiction in this week's Healthy Minds podcast.
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While we are born with a capacity for empathy, it is developed and shaped over time. Research suggests these five ways you could activate empathy skills in children.
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The folks at Fairfax County's Community Services Board offer a concise and practical presentation on ways to strengthen your mental health. The presentation includes tips applicable to all ages, including developmentally appropriate tips for children, and resources that are available to the community. Highly recommend to watch!
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This webinar hosted in June 2020 by Abiding Presence Lutheran Church of Burke, VA was led by two child psychologists as a response to the continued shut-down of life as we know it, and the looming summer without the normal activities.
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This webinar hosted in April 2020 by Abiding Presence Lutheran Church of Burke, VA was led by two child psychologists as a response to the continued shut-down of school and life as we know it. They offered information and support specifically tailored for parents of elementary aged children who are struggling with their big emotions.
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This webinar hosted mid-March 2020 by Abiding Presence Lutheran Church of Burke, VA was led by two child psychologists as a response to the sudden shut-down of school and life as we know it.
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Thursday, November 19, 2020 at 12 PM EST – 2 PM EST https://www.zoomgov.com/.../reg.../WN_YMg0qSiyRLKg_FAmgFovsQ
Did you know there is a form of psychological research that focuses on how spirituality affects and relates to interpersonal relationships? It is called Relational Spirituality... Engaging spirituality has positive implications for individuals with mental illness and their loved ones... This webinar will discuss this area of research and its implications for treatment and recovery for individuals with mental illness and their loved ones.
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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2020 AT 12 PM EST – 2 PM EST
https://www.zoomgov.com/.../reg.../WN_ZdMccbDQQmO_Ofe9-Exowg
Spiritual Social Support is not just a good idea. Research has shown that it has a positive, measurable impact... This webinar will connect both these points, the research as well as the lived experience, describing the benefits of spiritual social support in the lives of those affected by mental illness in themselves and their loved ones.
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Webinar: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2020 AT 12 PM EDT – 2 PM EDT https://www.zoomgov.com/.../reg.../WN_0jN5Y2rITIeSoeJ-QBYLSg
Individuals and caregivers facing a diagnosis of serious mental illness (SMI) can be overwhelmed. In fact, the likelihood that the loved one will not recover previous levels of stability can lead to debilitating despair for all involved. Spiritual and religious support can provide an alternative pathway to understanding, managing, and achieving a level of stability toward a “new normal” for those with mental illness and their loved ones. Incorporating spirituality and religious belief into this form of recovery and renewal can lead to an increased opportunity for growth, fulfillment, and meaning for the individuals, their loved ones, and even the mental health professionals involved in their care.
Webinar: Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at 12 PM EDT – 2 PM EDT
Research demonstrates the benefits of personal spirituality and religion extend to specific mental health challenges, including recovery from trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and even risk for suicide. This webinar will encourage practitioners and faith leaders to consider strategies for innovative partnerships incorporating spirituality into treatment in additional settings and treatment programs.
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In October, we recognize Mental Illness Awareness Week, National Depression Screening Day, World Health Day and Red Ribbon Week. Join CSB’s Wellness, Health Promotion & Prevention team by taking part in individual and community-wide actions that you can take – virtually and from a safe distance – that promote resiliency, provide support to loved ones and stay connected. Get the calendar.
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The Suicide Prevention Alliance of Northern Virginia (SPAN) recently hosted a conversation on how we can all strengthen emotional well-being and resilience in these unprecedented times, including practical strategies that each of us can draw on to build on our strengths and strengthen our connections to others during this COVID-19 pandemic. Visit the SPAN website to watch the recording and download the resources presented.
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This week FCPS’ Healthy Minds podcast features Whitney McDonough, a social worker at West Potomac High School and 25-year FCPS employee. Whitney provides information and resources on teen suicide prevention and a program available to FCPS parents and students called SOS - Signs of Suicide. Participants learn how to Acknowledge, Care, and Tell, or “ACT”. Listen now.
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Hello 7th-12th Grade Families,
I hope you all are doing well and staying safe.
Here’s a look at what is happening this week:
Today, Tuesday, October 6th, 4 - PM we have Small Groups meeting in the parking lot for 9th & 10th graders. This is a chance to get together in small groups not only for games and fun, but also for intentional conversation. This week’s theme is scripture and what it means to us.
On Friday, October 9th 7 - 8:15 PM is Friday Night Lights! This Friday we will be rolling out the TV carts, the Wii, the old school NES, and having an outdoor arcade night. We will have marked spaces to stand in and play games that are 6ft apart. Sanitizing wipes will be used on the controllers between each person and masks will be worn at all times to ensure we are being as safe as possible. Please sign up ahead of time here abidingpresence.net/youth. We need lots of parent support to make our Friday Night Lights events possible, so parents, please sign up to help, too.
Our Abiding Fellows (11th & 12th grade) met yesterday in-person in the parking lot or Wednesday, October 7th from 7:30-8:30 PM over Zoom. Our Abiding Fellows are exploring what it means to be gifted and called by God while also designing projects to be completed this semester.
Finally, I would like to bring to your attention the new Music & Arts Small Group Ministry that is launching this Sunday and next Sunday afternoon. These small group ensembles and classes are going to be outdoors and will follow all of our usual safety protocols. David Chavez, our Music and Worship Minister, is leading this new ministry along with a fantastic team of musicians and artists.
We will continue to follow our safety protocol and ask everyone to wear a mask at all in-person events.
If you have any questions, suggestions, or ideas as we head into fall, please do not hesitate to be in touch.
Blessings,
Mr. Jon
This article outlines some practical and intentional methods for parents and caregivers to help their children with their anxiety. The article expands on one approach that can help children manage anxiety. This approach is by Jane Garland and Sandra Clark — creators of the Taming Worry Dragons: A Manual for Children, Parents and Other Coaches.
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This week's Healthy Minds podcast by FCPS addresses the important issue of self-control; knowing how to recognize when children (and adults) are losing self-control and tips on how to regain it. These strategies can also help families during the ongoing virtual learning days and into the future.
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