Youth Mental Health: Fact vs. Fiction

Presentation provides information regarding the onset, prevalence, risk and protective factors of the youth mental health illnesses including Anxiety, Depression, Eating Disorders, ADHD, Mood disorders and Substance abuse; as well as how to identify, understand and respond to the warning signs of a youth experiencing a mental health crisis, including suicide.  

For grades 6-12. 

Registration required. Click "Begin Registration" below to sign up. Walk-ins welcome, too.

Outline:

  - General Youth Mental Health Overview

  - Common Types of Mental Disorders found in Youth 

- Age of Onset

- Prevalence

- Protective factors

- Risk factors

- Warning Signs

  - Action Steps:

- Assessment:

- Communication: When, What & How

- Information  & Reassurance

- Appropriate Help

 - Suicide

- Facts

- Who’s at Risk

- Signs

- Asking the Question

- How to Help 

Colleen Wagner is a Mental Health Counselor and a Certified Youth Mental Health First Aid instructor for the National Council for Behavioral Health.  Colleen most recently served as Residential Director at St Christopher’s Inc., a residential treatment center for adolescents with emotional and behavioral challenges.  She is the Founding member of Pleasantville STRONG a coalition that develops and supports on-going substance abuse prevention and reduction strategies, the co-founder of Pleasantville SEPTA an organization that advocates for families and children with special needs as well as the founder and coordinator of the Pleasantville VIP program that provides social and athletic experiences for children with mental of physical disabilities. From 2012 to 2016, Ms. Wagner served as a Trustee for the Village of Pleasantville.