Why Prevention Education Matters
Prevention education is a powerful tool for equipping students with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions. Traditionally, prevention efforts have focused on issues like substance use, bullying, and sexual violence, but today’s students face a broader range of challenges. Modern prevention education also addresses: Mental health awareness (stress management, suicide prevention) Digital safety […]
What To Do if You Think Someone is Being Trafficked
Human trafficking is a transnational, organized crime that affects millions of victims and happens in almost every country in the world, including the United States. Anyone can be a trafficker regardless of social, ethnic, or racial group. Traffickers exploit victims for sex and forced labor by using tactics such as grooming, emotional exploitation, physical restriction, […]
Don’t Wreck the Holidays with Impaired Driving
It’s National Impaired Driving Prevention Month! This campaign, started in 1992, raises awareness about the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or distractions. December is particularly risky, with impaired driving accidents peaking during the holidays. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that an average of 300 people die […]
Beating the Holiday Blues
Mental wellness is important at all times of the year but especially during the winter holidays. The cold winter months may affect your mental well-being more than you realize — and the holiday festivities can just add to the stress. It’s not uncommon to feel that you are in a “funk” during this time of […]
Understanding Adult Alcohol Use
For most people, moderate alcohol use is not considered harmful. However, alcohol consumption is linked to a variety of short- and long-term health risks, including vehicular crashes, violence, sexually risky behaviors, high blood pressure, liver disease, mental health challenges, and various cancers, such as breast and liver cancer. Research confirms that these risks increase proportionally […]
7 Things Everyone Should Know About Fentanyl
The opioid crisis has been making headlines recently, with fentanyl as a particularly hot topic. If you work in education or in the justice system, you’ve probably heard or seen some of the damaging effects of this drug. 1. What is Fentanyl? Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that was originally developed for medical purposes. It’s […]
What is Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)?
What is Social Emotional Learning? Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is a framework that equips individuals with essential life skills to understand themselves and others, manage emotions, build strong relationships, and make responsible decisions.
Evidence-based: Behavior and Skills Training
There are many proven strategies that are useful when helping others make a change in their behavior. For example, strategies such as using personalized feedback and challenging a person’s expected outcomes of substance use have been shown to impact behavior.
Tips for Maintaining Mental Health over the Holidays
If the thought of the holidays doesn’t exactly fill you with cheer, don’t worry – you’re not alone. Around 64% of people with mental illness report that the holidays make their conditions worse. Moreover, according to the American Psychological Association, roughly 38% of people overall say their stress increases during the holiday season, which can […]
The Lowdown on Medical Amnesty Laws: Why Educating College Students Matters
Unfortunately, there is a stigma attached to alcohol and drug-related emergencies. Students may hesitate to seek help due to concerns about judgment or reputational damage— especially if they are underage drinking. They are often afraid, ashamed or they simply don’t know who to call in the face of these emergencies. According to the Medical Amnesty […]
