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Friend,
As we shift schedules from summer to a new school year,
it can bring a rise in stress and anxiety – for both students and
parents. The pressures of academics, changing routines, and social
dynamics can all impact a young person's decision-making.
This back-to-school season, supply your kids with the
most important school essentials: prevention, communication, and
support to help guide them through this transition. In our collective
work to keep kids' alcohol-free, we know that when kids feel supported
and heard, they are more likely to make healthy
decisions.
Building on more than 20 years in
prevention, we are excited to launch our newest unit in the Ask,
Listen, Learn program, “The
Impact of Alcohol and Marijuana on Mental Health.” The elementary
and middle school years are critical to development, and these new
resources include a guide
for parents and caregivers and two new expert-led videos with
practical strategies to help you start age-appropriate conversations
about mental health at home, model positive coping mechanisms,
recognize early signs that your child may be struggling, and know what
to do in a mental health crisis.
 For parents of older teens
and young adults headed towards college or independence, remember that
it’s still important to support their mental well-being and help them
make smart, calculated choices. Remind them that underage drinking is
illegal and that risky behaviors such as binge drinking have many
negative consequences both in the short- and
long-term.
As parents, it is important to encourage your kids to develop
good practices for supporting their mental health. Whether it is
checking in on how they are feeling, modeling appropriate coping
strategies or connecting your kids to a mental health professional,
Responsibility.org has curated resources to help with conversations.
And remember, the longer you can delay the onset of alcohol
consumption in your kids, the lower their risk of developing an
alcohol use disorder in the future.
Parents, you are doing a great job. Keep up the good work
and let’s start the school year strong!
-The Responsibility.org
Team
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