Back to School Night Program at BHS: Mental Health Awareness for Youth

September 15, 2017

Submitted by Bedford Youth and Family Services

Many of you may know that the 2016 Youth Risk Behavior Survey while affirming our on-going good data regarding youth substance use highlighted some concerns with respect to perceived stress, reported depression, self-harm, and suicidal ideation among our high school youth.  School administration and guidance staff have seen this as well and are making mental health issues a focus of education this year for both students and parents.

To start off the year on Back to School night Thursday, September 28that 5:30 p.m. Bedford High School will be offering a parent education event called “Mental Health Awareness for Youth” and sponsored by Middlesex Partnerships for Youth (MPY) in collaboration with the high school, the parent association, and Bedford Youth and Family Services (BYFS).  The workshop will be presented by Minding Your Mind (MYM), whose evidence-based program features young adults who have experienced a mental health crisis and are now living successful and productive lives. Through professionally-crafted presentations that challenge negative stereotypes, they share their stories of hope and recovery, raising awareness and encouraging students to reach out for help. The introduction for parents 9/28 will precede workshops to be scheduled during the school day for the student body.  Students will learn the signs and symptoms of mental health issues, negative versus positive coping skills, the similarities between mental health and physical illness, the language and skills needed to have a conversation about mental health and how to create a supportive school environment.

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Middlesex Partnerships for Youth, Inc. is a non-profit 501c(3) organization that provides training, fosters collaboration, and develops programming to increase the health and safety of students. MPY is committed to bringing cutting edge information and high-quality training to our constituents and endeavors to provide solution-oriented, community-based, multidisciplinary approaches to reducing and ideally eliminating risky behaviors for youth. MPY is governed by a Board of Directors made up of school superintendents, police and fire chiefs, and other community leaders who work closely with MPY staff to deliver this mission. Bedford Public Schools have been long-standing members of MPY from the beginning.

For more information about the event contact the high school at 781-275-1700 or BYFS at 781-275-7727.

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