Description

This webinar addresses the growing mental health challenges among youth, emphasizing the impact of social media, the pandemic, and vaping on their well-being. It explores key risk factors like bullying and family issues, as well as protective factors such as supportive environments, in shaping mental health outcomes. The session highlights the importance of open communication between parents, educators, and youth to foster trust and emotional security, alongside the need for early intervention to prevent more serious issues. The discussion also covers the intersection of vaping and mental health, detailing how emotional stressors can lead youth to engage in vaping behaviors, which in turn can worsen anxiety and depression. Featuring insights from federal scientific thought leaders, the webinar offers actionable strategies to address the youth mental health crisis, focusing on a holistic approach that integrates emotional and physical health. Attendees, including school health staff and educators, will gain the knowledge and tools to support youth in navigating these complex challenges, with a roadmap for improving mental health outcomes and building resilience through coping strategies.

Learning Outcomes

After completing this training, you will be to:

Understand the Factors Affecting Youth Mental Health: Participants will learn about the unique challenges impacting youth mental health, including the effects of social media and the pandemic.

Identify Risk and Protective Factors: Participants will explore the role of risk factors (such as bullying and family issues) and protective factors (like supportive environments) in influencing youth mental health outcomes.

Promote Open Communication and Early Intervention: Participants will gain strategies for fostering open conversations about mental health and identifying early signs of mental health issues to ensure timely intervention.

Support Mental Health Through a Holistic Approach: Participants will understand the importance of a whole-person approach that addresses both emotional and physical health to effectively support youth mental well-being.

Understand the Role of the Brain in Mental Health: Explain how the brain functions as the central organ affecting movement, emotions, and overall health.

Analyze Limitations in Current Mental Health Treatments: Critique existing methods of diagnosing and treating children's mental health, particularly the inefficiencies and barriers families face.

Explore the Potential of Functional MRI: Describe how dynamic imaging techniques like functional MRI can reveal critical brain activity patterns in response to emotional stimuli.

Advocate for Early and Personalized Interventions: Discuss the importance of identifying mental health risks early through neural signatures and designing personalized treatment approaches.

Analyze the Relationship Between Emotional Stressors and Vaping Behavior:
Participants will be able to examine how emotional stressors contribute to vaping behaviors among youth, understanding the underlying factors that lead to these actions.

Evaluate the Impact of Vaping on Mental Health:
Participants will learn to identify and assess the detrimental effects of vaping on mental health, including its association with increased anxiety and depression among adolescents.

Understand the Role of School Health Staff and Educators in Addressing Vaping and Mental Health:
Participants will gain insights into the specific responsibilities and roles that school health staff and educators play in recognizing and addressing the mental health implications of vaping among students.

Implement Strategies to Foster a Supportive Environment for Youth:
Participants will be equipped with practical tools and strategies to create a supportive environment that addresses the mental health challenges associated with vaping, empowering youth to navigate these issues effectively.

Description

Target Audience

Learning Outcomes