Adolescent Wellness, Inc.

June 23 National Conference in Orlando for Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD)

bobanthony — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 21:03:06 +0000

The first workshop session is Sunday, June 23 titled, PIP, PIP Hooray! Using Creative Problem Solving to Promote Wellness.

Presenters: Dr. Nadja Reilly, Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology & Bob Anthony, Adolescent Wellness

Location: Salon VIII, Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista

Description: PIP (Problems-Ideas-Plans) is a fun, creative tool for teaching problem-solving skills. It is brief, engaging, and can be used by both youth and adults in a wide range of settings. Improving decision making, creativity, humor, and flexibility are all things that allow us to problem solve more effectively and feel more positive and empowered. During this interactive workshop, participants will learn how to use the PIP, develop new approaches to solving problems, and come up with action steps to promote wellness.

Interested in peer mentoring and wellness? iGROW invitation

bobanthony — Fri, 24 May 2013 17:00:59 +0000

Meet iGROW teen mentors Wednesday afternoon to ask questions about their experiences and to receive invitations for training in wellness skills and knowledge to help oneself and others. Teens that will start the new school year in the Fall as a freshman, sophomore or junior are encouraged to meet us on May 29 from 3:30pm until 5pm at 103 Old Colony Road in Wellesley Hills, MA.

As a group, iGROW teens were recognized at the Massachusetts state house for leadership in suicide prevention by co-facilitating the Boston Children’s Hospital depression prevention curriculum with 13 & 14 year olds. Two high school seniors also developed senior projects on resilience and co-facilitated anxiety and depression prevention for over 60 sophomores with compelling outcomes. Just to be helpful, another teen edited video clips from interviews. (Click here for two minute video clip.)

The agenda Wednesday:
3:30 Refreshments, bocce (weather permitting) and casual conversation
4:00 Recognition of current peer mentors and achievements in the past year
4:30 Activity to ask teen priorities for the coming year
5:00 Conclusion

COPE available for ages 8-12

bobanthony — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:12:58 +0000

Effective treatment for depression in children ages 8-12 is provided without charge through a study by Dikla Eckshtain, PhD. The brochure provides details including the project email cope@jbcc.harvard.edu and telephone (617) 278-4242 to begin the conversation. COPE Brochure for ages 8-12

Parent Support group (NAMI) scheduled in Wellesley, MA

bobanthony — Sat, 11 May 2013 12:42:11 +0000

This support group is for parents of adolescents and young adults dealing with any mental disorder; it offers safety, respect, support, understanding and hope. You are welcome to attend any Parent Support group meeting. The 2013 schedule for Wellesley is the third Wednesday of each month. For example, the nearest date now is Wednesday, June 19, at 7:15pm – 8:45pm, meeting in the board room off the main sanctuary.

Every state Parent Support meetings, found by clicking on the NAMI locator. Near Boston, please join us at the Wellesley Hills Congregational Church located at 207 Washington Street in Wellesley Hills.

Contact: No fee is required; register by calling Cynthia Gordon at (781) 235-4424 or email to vivianprestondole@hotmail.com.

Affiliated with Massachusetts NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)

Resource for youth addressing loss or grief

bobanthony — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 17:11:27 +0000

Teens may find ideas helpful to a friend during this tragic week through this link to a tip sheet on loss and grief (http://www.adolescentwellness.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/iGROW_Tip_Sheet_Grief_and_Loss.pdf).

All youth should be encouraged to speak about concerns with a parent, pediatrician, school contact or youth group leader. Many Massachusetts families, including those in Boston, have access to an assisted referral service at http://msppinterface.org. Nationally, individuals feeling an urgent need to speak with someone may call 24/7 to an anonymous help line at (800) 273-8255.

Teens recognized at Massachusetts State House with award for leadership in suicide prevention

bobanthony — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 22:11:12 +0000

In an event at the State House on February 11, the Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention presented its 2013 MCSP ‘Leadership in Suicide Prevention Award’ to iGROW (Interfaith Gathering ‘Round Our Wellness) and the teens who teach healthy 13 & 14 year olds to stay healthy by practicing resilience-building activities.

Photo from the Massachusetts State House event recognizing teen leaders in suicide prevention from Dedham high school, the Winsor school, Dana Hall school and Wellesley high school. From left: Margot Manning, Rachel Barkowitz, Cecilia Milano, Olivia Stein, Bennett Capozzi, Alyssa Dole, Ashley Freeman, and Noah Stein. Next to Noah is psychologist Vanessa Prosper, Ph.D., of Boston Children’s Hospital. Participating teens not pictured: Alex Blakelock, Sarah Bradach, Tessie Connors, and Hannah Horobin.

Eight high school age teens accepted the award for iGROW, a program which clergy and Boston Children’s Hospital co-founded with Adolescent Wellness, Inc. The teens teach the depression prevention curriculum through a three-part workshop series in the town of Wellesley, where eight youth have been lost to suicide in a ten year period. The curriculum, Break Free From Depression, is listed in the national Best Practices Registry of the Suicide Prevention Resource Center.

Post-vention resources for youth and adults

bobanthony — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 23:37:33 +0000

A safe web site for young people to directly access for better understanding mental illness is called the Experience Journal (www.experiencejournal.com) created by Boston Children’s Hospital.

Also for direct use by youth is this iGROW tip sheet on loss and grief.

Suggestions for parents are provided by Riverside Community Care in this summary – Talking with Your Children About Traumatic Events and this iGROW tip sheet reminds us of how to maintain the conversation.

Referral for advice and counsel can start with a pediatrician; several communities may access assisted referral through www.MSPPreferral.org. McLean Hospital offers a remarkable depression treatment resource without charge for certain youth, please read page two of McLean study with healthy adolescents.

An article addressing mental illness and the actions of Adam Lanza may be read at: http://thebluereview.org/i-am-adam-lanzas-mother/

Brain tour at MASC / MASS Joint Conference in Hyannis

bobanthony — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 19:43:22 +0000

The walk-through brain exhibit publicizes resources for keeping healthy kids healthy by practicing wellness activities. Two significant benefits that result from wellness activities are better academic performance and fewer cases of mental illness.

At this year’s joint conference in Hyannis, over 600 school superintendents and school committee leaders received a wellness resource from the Boston Children’s Hospital curriculum to keep healthy kids healthy. The hope is that each will view the 37 minute documentary and consider it for use in their district for all students in grades 8 and higher. The Break Free From Depression documentary and curriculum replaces stigma with knowledge, normalizing conversations about symptoms of anxiety or depression, and provides wellness activities to prevent the symptoms.

The Mega Brain exhibit was provided by Adolescent Wellness and Medical Inflatables.

Surgeon General’s prevention strategy targets 10% reduction in cases of depression during ages 11-17

bobanthony — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 18:15:53 +0000

The US goal of preventing depression in 10% of cases is doable; we know from existing studies that the preventable number of cases is over 50%. The numbers:
=> 1 of 22 (4.5%) cases are preventable; (4.5 of 100; ages 11-through adult).
=> 1 of 12 (8.3%) kids have depression (8.3 of 100; ages 11-17) currently.
=> 1 of 13 (7.4%) kids with depression (7.4 of 100; ages 11-17) is the US target, 10% lower.

Several resources are now available for keeping healthy kids healthy in order to achieve the National Prevention Strategy goal MHMD-4.1 (described on page 49) to prevent adolescent depression:

For schools, see the tab on the left labeled Wellness Curricula
For families, the tab labeled Creative Problem Solving
For communities, the tab Teens / iGROW

The resources above enhance the protective factors for individuals; their importance is illustrated by the graphic on page 15 of the 2012 National Strategy For Suicide Prevention.

One case of depression is avoided for every 22 people learning the skills and knowledge of wellness

bobanthony — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:34:04 +0000

One case of depression is avoided for every 22 people learning the skills and knowledge of wellness. For comparison, one case of heart attack is avoided for every 130 people taking aspirin daily. (Am J Psychiatry 2008; 165:1272–1280) Preventive intervention … Continue reading →