The Prevention Blog and Podcast

I’m in summer mode now, which means more reading, research, and less blogging. Here’s a widget of my itunes list. You can see what I’m listening to this summer. Enjoying summer, but slowly my eye is looking to fall!

The Baylor School

Other Appearance by Jeff on YouTube

 

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Recent research suggests that teens and young adults who consume energy drinks may be at greater risk of a number of high-risk behaviors, such as unprotected sex, alcohol and other drug problems, and violence, the New York Times reported May 26.

While some young energy-drink users have become physically ill after consuming the products, experts are also worried about the relationship between use of the high-caffeine products and risk-taking. A March 2008 study in the Journal of American College Health, for example, linked energy-drink use among athletes to a variety of high-risk behaviors.

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Gary Margolis is Director of the Center for Counseling and Human Relations and Associate Professor of English and American Literatures at Middlebury College. His clinical work on the developmental issues of college students has appeared in many journals and national magazines. He is the recipient of the Saint Michaels college clinical psychology award for mental health practice in Vermont. His most recent book, “Fire in the Orchard” was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in poetry.

 

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Additional Links:

• Boston-area Seniors Share College Rejection Letters
• Parents: Responding to the Thin Envelope

Click the image of me on FOX News to take you to my appearance.

The above image and questions below are part of our ParentReach postcard series. If you would like to purchase these oversized postcards to mail to parents of prom-going students, email us now so we can place your order. Each card is oversized and includes a plain white mailing envelope - $1.75 ea.

Question that parents should ask their teen:

• How is your teen feeling about the prom?
• What is your teen most excited about?
• What are they most nervous about?
• Who is your child’s date and/or group whom they’ll be attending prom with?
• Does your teen know them well? Do you?
• What are the conversations you need to have with your teen based on age, values and beliefs of your teen and the date and/or group that is going?
• Have you discussed your expectations regarding alcohol use, drinking and driving, and other unsafe behaviors?
• Have you met/do you know the parents of your child’s date or prom group?
• Know your teens pre-prom and post-prom plans. Make sure you and your teen are clear about expectations and details. If you decide to extend curfew, know where they are, who they are with, who is supervising, and when they will be home. Be up when they come home. Let them know that you will be up. Do not rent hotel rooms for your prom going teen without proper supervision.

Do you listen to podcasts? Podcast are internet radio shows that you can listen to on your own time. Our podcast “Inside Independent School Health” is one of the leading educational podcasts in the country. If you have itunes, CLICK HERE to take you our itunes page.

If you don’t have itunes, CLICK HERE and turn on your computer speakers. We recommend you download itunes. It is a wonderful application to listen to music, audio books, podcasts, and much more. You don’t need an ipod. Download your version today at Itunes.

Additional Helpful Links:

• Curfew Tips
• Five Reasons You Should Have a Party for Your Teen

Randy Woods is the Director of Health and Wellness at St. Paul’s School in Baltimore. He teaches 6th grade health science, serves as the 6th grade dean, and coaches JV basketball. Randy has been associated with St. Paul’s since 1984. During his time here he has served as Director of Admissions and Financial Aid, Director of the Summer Programs, Assistant Middle School Principal, and has coached numerous sports at the Upper and Middle School levels.

Randy talks about St. Paul’s K-12 health and wellness program.

Additional Links:

• Successful Prevention of Underage Drinking and Other Drug Use
• St. Paul’s School
• Safety 1st Project

 

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Author Po Bronson recently wrote an article for New York Magazine called “How Not to Talk to Your Kids”. Mr. Bronson addresses the issue of how do we praise children. He refers to the work of Carol Dweck and her team at Columbia (she is now at Stanford). Ms. Dweck describes her work in the video below. Follow the link above to read Mr. Bronson’s article. I think you’ll find the article interesting and it may change everything you thought you knew about self-esteem and praise.


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Additional Link:

• More about Carol Dwek

VIEW FOX NEWS

Additional Links:

• National Institute of Drug Abuse
• Caron Foundation

Dr. Porter-Honnet is the Director of the Stanley H. King Counseling Institute. The Counseling Institute was founded over 40 years ago to enhance the work of independent schools, which have long been building conscious communities of adults and students. To this day the Institute provides teachers and schools insight, support, and guidance on how to best help students grow.

Dr. Porter-Honnet will be presenting a workshop at this year’s NAIS Annual Conference (Thursday, February 28,12:30 – 1:30) called “Creating Inclusion: Addressing Student Need for Belonging with Empathic Advising.”

Additional Links:

• Stanley H. King Counseling Institute

 

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Ten years ago, stimulants like Ritalin and Adderall were the drugs of choice to treat behavioral issues in children. Today, children as young as four years old are being prescribed more powerful anti-psychotic medications that are much less understood. The drugs can cause serious side effects and virtually nothing is known about their long-term impact.

The increase in the use of anti-psychotics is directly tied to the rising incidence of one particular diagnosis — bipolar disorder. Experts estimate that the number of kids with the diagnosis is now over a million and rising.

As the debate over medicating children continues to grow, FRONTLINE producer Marcela Gaviria confronts psychiatrists, researchers, and big pharma about the risks and benefits of prescription drugs for troubled children in “The Medicated Child.”

Part I

CBS Evening News with Katie Couric is featuring a 3-part series on prescription drug abuse. The first segment aired on Monday, November 26th. The Partnership’s President and CEO Steve Pasierb talked with Katie to offer our perspective on the issue.

Part 2

Part 3

Additional Links:

• Treatment at Caron
• Jeff Discusses the Death of Heath Ledger

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama started the debate when he admitted to a high school audience in New Hampshire that he had experimented with drugs while he was in high school. “There were times when I got into drinking, experimenting with drugs. There was a stretch of time where I did not really apply myself,” Obama said.

I’m sure this is going to stir up a few conversations at home and in school regarding appropriate disclosure of adults regarding their own history with alcohol and other drugs. Continue reading if you are a parent and want to learn more about what to tell your own kids about your use of alcohol and other drugs. For faculty, follow this link to an earlier blog entry on appropriate faculty disclosure. Also recommended - Susan Porter’s article in our resources section Being an Adult in a Teenage World

I was at an airport years ago waiting for a delayed flight – I do that a lot – and I started a conversation with a woman sitting next to me. After finding out what I do, she asked, “What do I tell my own kids about my history with drinking or drug use?”. I gave my answer that I usually give, she nodded with polite interest. I asked, “What do you think?”. “I disagree” she said. “I think you should be totally honest”. “Why do you feel that way?” “I grew in house full of lies. I promised myself I would be honest with my kids so they would never suffer the pain of not knowing what is real.”

Additional Links:

• Jeff Answers “Dad, Did You Ever Try Drugs?”

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Every parent knows kids need a good night’s sleep to be at their best. And still, young Americans from elementary school age through high school, are sleeping significantly less today than they did thirty years ago. Follow this link to Tom Ashbrook’s Show “On Point” where he talks about sleep deprived kids. Don’t miss my appearance on Fox News (see below) where I talk about teens and energy drinks - a big contributor to kid’s lack of sleep.

Additional Links:

• Tom Ashbrook WBUR “On Point - Sleep Deprived Kids”

Fox News Link Watch Video
Trends in Energy Drinks:

• 31% of 12-17 year olds report regular consumption of energy drinks.
• The amount of caffeine consumed by children has doubled in the last 25 years.

Negative Effects of Caffeine

• Increased anxiety
• Irregular heart beat
• Increased blood pressure
• Insomnia – loss of sleep

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Additional Links:

• NPR - New Lessons at School - What to do in Shooting
  
  

NPR - Campuses Face New Reality of Safety Situation


• NPR - Campus Safety Back in the Spotlight