Posts by rbean

The Current State of Youth Mental Health The increased focus on mental health in recent years has helped us realize the importance of mental wellbeing. This development has improved education on mental health challenges, led to the creation of resources to support those who need help, and helped reduce the stigmas about mental health. Youth…

Focus on the Positives: Using Social Norms in Prevention All of us are strongly influenced by group norms, and that is especially true for adolescents. Young people are strongly influenced by the behaviors and attitudes they perceive their peers to have. This works well when it comes to youth learning how to interact with and…

The History of Substance Use & Substance Use Prevention October is Substance Use Prevention Month, and this year’s focus is on telling the prevention story. Understanding the history of substances and addiction can help us improve how we treat addiction and can help preventionists have more success in preventing substance use.  Substance use for medicinal…

Supporting Those in Recovery It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop. – Confucius  The American Psychiatric Association (APA) defines substance use disorder (SUD) as “a complex condition in which there is uncontrolled use of a substance despite harmful consequences.” The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recently…

Why Harm Reduction Matters An estimated 107,543 Americans lost their lives to a drug overdose in 2023 according to data from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control). This is a decrease from the 111,029 overdose deaths in 2022, but any life lost is a tragedy. Public health officials, government leaders, and communities are struggling with…

Social Media’s Role in Youth Substance Use It is no secret that youth love using social media. According to Clearfork Academy, 95% of youth are active on social media, with the top platforms being Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, and Twitter (X). These platforms provide youth with entertainment and a chance to stay connected with friends. Unfortunately,…

Using Vape Detectors for Prevention 2.13 million youth reported using e-cigarette products in the 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey. Educating students on the risks of vaping is helping to reduce the number of youth who vape, but school officials are struggling with how to stop vaping on campus. One thing they are trying is vape…

#NationalPreventionWeek24 is a health education platform that promotes new ideas and initiatives to help keep communities healthy & safe. Join us as we celebrate the #substanceuse prevention and #mentalhealth efforts happening nationwide! Learn more: samhsa.gov/prevention-week National Prevention Week is almost here! This annual event is a great opportunity to learn more about prevention science, and how…

Rittman SALT Coalition would like to remind you that it is illegal to provide alcohol to minors, and hopes their message resonates with the minority of parents who furnish alcohol for underage drinkers. The majority of parents do not provide alcohol to minors, and the majority of teens do not drink underage. This campaign is…

Helping Students Prepare for the End of the School Year The end of the school year can be a source of stress for many students. End of year exams, moving up a grade, getting ready to go to a new building, and worrying about friendships are common stressors. Preparing your child for the end of…