Family Education Webinar Series
The School Mental Health Resource & Training Center will provide monthly educational webinars for families and caregivers. Join us live to ask questions, or watch from our complete list of recorded webinars down below.
Upcoming Webinars
Beyond Pride: Supporting LGBTQ + Youth Mental Health
Thursday June 29, 2022 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
June is Pride Month where we celebrate the beautiful diversity, struggle for justice and importance of inclusion and representation for the rainbow that is the LGBTQ+ community. But beyond the parades, rainbows, flags and celebrations there are young people who struggle every day as a result of beliefs, actions and words that deny their very existence.
Join us for the latest installment in the Family Education Webinar series, Beyond Pride: Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health on June 29th from 7:00 – 8:00 PM. During our time together we will explore ways parents and caregivers can create affirming and supportive family environments for youth.
Speakers
Signy Furiya, LCSW, Director of Well Being Institute of the Hudson Valley Pride Center
James Baptiste, Program Coordinator of the Hudson Valley Pride Center
April Heyman – President and Founder of LI Pride PTSA , Parent Advocate
Registration Closed
*Registration will close on June 29th 2022, at 3:00 PM
Recorded Sessions
Supporting Teens After High School: Tips for Helping Students Navigate What’s Next
Congratulations! Your teen graduated high school… now what? Join our conversation where we will hear from mental health professionals and youth voices on how to be proactive and support teen mental health as they start their next journey after high school.
Panelists will share their insight as mental health champions and youth with first hand experience navigating life after high school and provide some insight on how to proactively support your student and set them up for success in whatever path they choose after graduation.
Social Media and Mental Health: What Families need to Know.
It is no secret that over the last 15 years that internet and media use has skyrocketed. Today, 95% of teens have access to a smartphone, and 45% say they are online almost constantly. As a result, many caregivers, educators and individuals are left wondering about the impacts of social media and the digital world on their overall wellbeing.
Information covered includes:
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- How to start the conversation around internet use
- How to set healthy media boundaries
- Data to help understand psychological risks and emotional impacts
- Understanding risks and how to respond to cyberbullying and more
Additional Resources:
Let’s Talk: Mental Health and Special Education
Students who have disabilities experience mental health issues at higher rates than peers without. Understanding the relationship between mental health and special education is an important piece to providing the best level of support to students and loved ones managing dual diagnoses.
In this panel discussion you will learn:
- What types of resources are available
- How to advocate for your child’s needs at school and in the community
- Where to connect with other family members for support
Event Panelists:
- Donna Bradbury, MA, LMHC – Associate Commissioner NYS OMH – Office of Prevention and Health Initiatives – NYS Office of Mental Health
- Michael Gilberg – Special Education Attorney
- Kathy Kieffer, MS – Retired District Special Education Administrator / Educator
- Chris Van Houten, MA/CAS – President Elect, NY Association of School Psychologists
Additional Resources:
Winter Wellness for Families
The holiday season can be a cheerful time filled with fun, laughter and togetherness but for some it may bring with it additional stress and hardship. We know that in order to enhance our wellness during difficult times, we must focus on our mind, body and spirit.
Check out these resources as we highlight each of The 8 Dimensions of Wellness and share some practical ways for families and caregivers to stay connected, celebrate and promote wellness with their children this holiday season and all winter long.
Additional Resources:
Fostering Wellness: Starting with the Brain
Preventing Underage Gambling
Youth Suicide Prevention: What Families Need to Know
Coming Together: Tips for Keeping Parents, Schools and Students Connected
Culture, Family & Mental Health: A Family Strengthening Workshop for Immigrant/POC Parents & Caregivers
Let’s Talk: A Conversation with School Mental Health Staff
Pandemic Parenting: Helping Kids Manage Anxiety During COVID
Uplifting Black Joy: Strategies to Center Wellness, Resilience and Self-Care for Black Youth and Families
The Role of Family Support Specialists in Schools and Communities
Parent Network of Western NY has 1:1 parent support lines in English & Spanish as well as advocacy resources in 10 languages! They serve Alleghany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagra, Orleans & Wyoming counties.
https://parentnetworkwny.org/
Achieving Whole Person Wellness
Grief and Loss: Helping Youth Heal
Como manejar una crisis estrategias para familias y cuidadores
Coping with a Crisis
Using Positive Psychology to Manage Stress in Children
FIND HERE
Child Development 101
FIND HERE
Reflecting, Rethinking and Responding to Support Student Mental Health & Wellness: a Panel of Parents and Caregivers
Following up on our panel discussion with teachers, MHANYS School Mental Health Resource and Training Center is excited to host a virtual panel discussion from a family perspective. A change in the school environment this fall to socially distanced In-person, remote, or a hybrid model for classroom instruction will pose challenges to families, caregivers, and students, including having an impact on mental health and wellness. Hear from parents and caregivers representing a range of community demographics as they reflect on their experiences and how they are planning to support the mental health and wellness of themselves and their families this coming school year. Recorded September 3, 2020
FIND HERE
Supporting Family Mental Wellness: Strategies for Back to School
This video uses person-centered and strengths based strategies to help families identify ways to support mental wellness for their children and themselves as they prepare to go back to school during these uncertain times. Recorded August 25, 2020
FIND HERE
Mindfulness in the Home
This video highlights the physical and emotional benefits of mindfulness, such as enhanced whole body wellness, improved sleep, increased focus and attention, and stress reduction. Learn the basics of Mindfulness practice; simple strategies to utilize mindfulness techniques and activities in the home and as part of your family’s daily routine. Please note, the intended audience for this specific video is family and caregivers, professional development credit is not available at this time. Recorded on July 31, 2020.
FIND HERE
Below is a list of resources for further learning:
Mind Up
Mindful Schools
Mindfulness Yoga
Tools to Promote Mental Health & Wellness
Trauma 101 for Families and Caregivers
According to the American Psychological Association, two-thirds of children will report experiencing a traumatic event before the age of 16. As families and caregivers, it is important for us to understand the basics about trauma – what is trauma, how does it impact youth and how can we lessen the negative effects of a traumatic event. Not everyone who experiences or witnesses trauma will be impacted in the same way. This should give us hope! Help is available with a better understanding of the trauma and treatment options, and the development of coping strategies and a strong supportive network.
FIND HERE
Below is a list of resources for further learning:
Center for Parent Information and Resources (including Spanish language materials)
Child Mind Institute Resources (including multi-lingual materials)
American Psychological Association – Resilience Guide for Parents & Teachers
Video explaining brain development – “Hand Brain Model”
Becoming a Resilient Family
FIND HERE
Mental Health and Wellness 101 for Families
This recorded session presents mental health as a continuum of wellness and an integral part of our overall health, and encourages treatment seeking behavior and self-care to manage stress. FIND HERE
These following hand-outs were referenced in the webinar:
Coping With a Crisis
Most families will experience a crisis (illness, loss, natural disaster, etc.) at some point. Whether it is a situation that impacts just your family or something impacting the entire community, families are affected in many ways. This recorded session will provide the knowledge and tools to promote whole family wellness during a time of crisis: recognition of stress indicators, the development of coping strategies and positive communication.
FIND HERE
Managing Stress With a Wellness Mindset
Most families experience stress as we try to juggle daily responsibilities, social activities, and work. Some stress can even be healthy. How can we better manage stress? With a “Wellness Mindset”! And, how do we develop a “Wellness Mindset”? By developing and practicing five core competencies: self-compassion and positive inner dialogue, realistic expectations and healthy boundaries, and choosing to support self-care.
FIND HERE
Below is a list of resources for further learning:
Martin Selgiman and Positive Psychology
Brene Brown
Negativity Bias hand-out
MindUp Curriculum
Mindful Schools
The MHANYS Family Education Project webinar series is funded by:
