YAB students are talking about a lot of teen issues; staying motivated at the mid-way point, what stresses them out, what they need for support, why teens experiment and use drugs and alcohol, and what can be done to prevent it.

This will give you an opportunity to check out just some the ongoing dialogue going on at the YAB table.

It’s mid-year/term for many students.  How do you think teens can remain or gain motivation?

• I think studying for a short period of time and taking short breaks in between.  It also helps to set yourself a schedule throughout the day on what you will do.  It’s really important NOT to wait until the last minute and then overload yourself.  Just take things one at a time.
• I set small short term goals that I can try and then accomplish.  It really helps me to stay motivated.
• Think ahead to how mid-terms will be over in a few weeks.  Then think a head to your future J  There is so much to look forward to and that always helps with motivation.  For myself, I try to remember that the stress that comes with school will soon be relieved by long weekends, breaks, late starts, etc.… I also try to keep in mind my goals and what I need to do to accomplish them.

How can schools and parents support teens with the added stress and anxiety they have?

• Provide more activities that students can do/get involved with to blow off some of the stress from school.  Or, simply just make them laugh.
• They can support us by just being aware…. and acknowledge what we are going through.  Being someone we can talk to when we need it.
• I think schools need to take into account the amount of all that is asked of their students… and consider amending some of their policie;, allow for more modifications and extensions.
• Offer support groups for teens dealing with stress, anxiety or other issues.
• Schools and parents can support teens dealing with stress by offering extra help.  Empathizing with them would REALLY help.  If teachers see a student is struggling they should try to help them, talk to them and find out more…. instead of dismissing them as lazy or incapable.
• By teaching in a way that the grade you get on a test is not what defines you.  We are more than a grade, GPA or letter on a piece of paper.

What do you think is the biggest issue teens are dealing with right now?

• School.  There is so much school related pressure and it can be a lot to deal with.
• College; their future; the pressure they feel to succeed.
• Stress, stress, stress.  College is super stressful and there is just a lot going on.
• I think it’s really hard for teens to deal with “the bigger and better” mentality that schools perpetuate.
• Going from high school to college; stress, grades, ACT, etc.… The thought of having to be “perfect” really stresses us out.
• I think the biggest issue for teens is anxiety.  Between trying to maintain a high GPA, a social life and other activities, teens can become stressed and certain aspects of their life will begin to suffer.

Why do you thin teens experiment or begin to use alcohol or drugs?

• To avoid the stress of what they are dealing with every day.
• I think some people use it to cope with the things that they are dealing with and some people are influenced by others to start experimenting.
• Since I was in the 5^th grade I was told substance abuse and teens experimenting begin with peer pressure.  But now I realize that many teens experiment and use because of mental health issues that they are not being helped with.
• I think they might feel overwhelmed by stress or anxiety and don’t really know what else to turn to or how to deal with it effectively and safely.
• They try it because they see other people doing it…. the “cool” kids and they want to be like them or fit in better.
• They are just stressed out and learn to develop substance use as an outlet.
• Boredom or pressure by their friends.
• It’s the same psychology we have as child when your Mom tells you not to do something; you want to and will find a way to do it anyway.
• Pressure; peer and self-pressure.  We see others doing it and we want to do the same.  They think that if their peers don’t show consequences, they won’t either.

What do you think needs to be done to prevent teen substance use/abuse?

• I think much more awareness should be spread on the damage drugs and alcohol puts on teens and the effect on others around them.
• Change the way we educate and make teens aware of drinking and drug use.  Teens need to see it in a more serious consequential way. Not just with facts and stats, but teens need to hear from real people and their real-life consequences and issues that have happened.
• Alternative ways of having fun are available… kids just need to know or be reminded.  Other ways to cope relax and de-stress also need to be made available.
• More fun alternatives and education about substance abuse would help prevent kids from turning to drugs and alcohol.

  

#What’syourinfluence?

#Staymotivated#Lookaheadtoyourfuture#Lifegoals#Teensneedyoursupport

#Letthemknowyoucare

#Livedrug-free

 

YAB teens to PARENTS on talking to your teens about drugs and alcohol….

Q. What is the best way to talk to my teen about drinking and drug use? 

Teens Answer:

• Don’t avoid the topic.  Try to be direct.  Ask questions and take their opinions and thoughts into consideration.  If they have questions you don’t know the answer to, research answers to talk to them about.  Make sure they know the negative affects about drugs and alcohol and connect them to their life  (i.e., if they are an athlete, drugs affect their athletic performance) Start casual conversations in a comfortable place, such as the car.
• Don’t pressure them to talk about it.  Try to be casual, don’t make them uncomfortable and force it – if you do they will shut down and it won’t happen.

Q. I’ve caught my teen using…. Now what do I do/say?

Teens Answer:

• Don’t force them to do anything or go anywhere against their will. 
• Ask them what got them into whatever it is in the first place.  Maybe it’s coming from something bigger, like they are super stressed and they didn’t think they could come to you, because they feel you would go straight away to blaming, shouting, and reprimanding without even looking at it from their view point and NOT understanding. 
• You should be firm with them but DON’T start screaming.  This may make them emotional and may affect them even more…. and encourage them to keep doing exactly what you don’t want them to do…. use drugs or alcohol.
• Let them know that you want to help them.  Use suggestions, with convincing points and reasons to back them up.  Offer them advice and talk through with them how to improve their situation, instead of only punishments.
•  Try to be more involved in their life.
• Try to understand why.

From a YAB teen’s point of view:

Parents often have a hard time talking to children about decision making and trying to find the perfect balance between being too strict and too easy going.  For a parent using an authoritative approach can cause children to want to rebel more.  I have seen a lot of kids with very strict parents do things and get themselves into in unsavory positions seemingly just to break their parents’ rules.  Likewise, parents who do not care whether their children use, open the door to even more destructive decisions down the road. I think that when a child is coming of age, it’s a good idea to sit down and have a conversation about drugs and alcohol.  It’s important that kids know that you discourage drinking, smoking and drug use….use and why.  But it’s also important they know that they can talk to you about things when they need to – without you overreacting.  If they do get into some kind of trouble parents need to know about it, exactly what’s going on, and then have a plan to help before a bad situation escalates.

#Parentsuseyourvoiceandinfluence#Talktoyourkids#Keeptalking#BeAParentNotaPal

#What’syourinfluence?#Livedrug-free

YAB Teens are Talking About.....The YAB Opportunity, Vapes and Ecigs and What Parents Need to Know.

What is the Youth Action Board Opportunity for teens?

 

• The Youth Action Board (YAB) is a dynamic and diverse group of teens who are a vital part of the BBCC with representation from all the high schools in Birmingham and Bloomfield Hills.  The YAB's goal is to create a positive voice and presence for teens in the community.
• The YAB connects with other teens, schools, community leaders and local law enforcement. Their concern is for the overall mental health and well being of their peers in today’s challenging times.  Quite simply it is a group of teens that advocates for other teens. 
• The YAB meets regularly on Sunday afternoons at the Bloomfield Twp. Library, to talk about important, relevant teen issues and to plan substance-free events for their peers in the community.  The YAB hosts a number of events including an annual youth-led dialogue day,  Band Jams and the ever-popular, sports events, and more. 
• The YAB is flexible, fun and easy to join.  For more information contact our Youth Program Coordinator, Kelly Michaud at kmichaud@bbcoalition.org, visit our website at www.bbcoalition.org or call our office at 248.203.4615.

#What’syourinfluence?

#Livedrug-free##Getinvolvedinsomethinggood#Useyourteenvoice

YAB teens are talking about and answer teens and parents questions about Vapes/E-cigs/Hookah Sticks

Teens want to know…..

Q. So what is wrong with Vaping or E-cigs?  They are supposed to be the safer way to smoke?    

• Potentially harmful chemicals have been documented in some vape/e-cigarette cartridges, including irritants, genotoxins, and animal carcinogens.
• Surprisingly enough, there is no requirement to publicize the ingredients of e-liquids, (aka juice).  So, who really knows what’s in that little bottle of chocolate flavored liquid?  According to some studies, diethylene glycol, a chemical toxic to humans often found in anti-freeze can be commonly found in juice cartridges.  Yes that’s right anti-freeze…. And that what you are inhaling into your body along with the nicotine! Yet, this is just one of several toxic chemicals that has been found within e-liquids. 
• Some smoke shops will make their own house blends and tout all sorts of purity claims, however no one is testing those house blends.  So again… who really knows what is in that pina colada flavored e-liquid cartridge?
• Vaping creates an addiction. Nicotine, even without the cigarette smoke, is a highly addictive, mind-altering drug. Do you really want to struggle with a lifelong addiction to nicotine at this stage of your life? 

Finally…. If you’re still in doubt then consider this:

1. The fact that there have not been sufficient scientific studies done on Vapes. 
2. Vape pens are relatively new to the market and kids are crazy to get their hands on regardless of the health risks.
3. We don’t know what the long term health risks are.  This unknown makes every you, and every other teenager with a vape pen…. a lab rat!

 Adults and Parents want to know….

Q. What is vaping?

• Vaping is all the rage these days, but if you don’t know what that means, you’re not the only one. Vaping refers to the act of “smoking” an e-cigarette. This is a device that is supposed to help smokers quit or allow smokers to get a nicotine fix without all the harm of tobacco smoke. An e-cigarette heats up a liquid with dissolved nicotine. The user inhales nicotine and exhales water vapor, not smoke. It should be safer than cigarettes, but the jury is still out on the other ways in which vaping could be bad for you. Teens may be at greater risk of these harms, and we know that more teens are “vaping’ than ever.  And, because nicotine is so addictive, research shows that teens who vape are also more likely to smoke traditional cigarettes.

Q. Why do teens even want to do this?  What do they get from it?

• It’s an image thing.  They buy into the hype that’s its safe and cool. 
• They may also think it’s a step-down substance.  Something they can try and use without harm or consequence.

Q. What can Parents do?

• Talk to your teen. As a parent, you have the power to influence your teen’s decisions. It may seem like they don’t listen to you, but you are still the top influencer in their life. Most parents don’t talk to their kids about drugs, addiction, smoking or drinking, but for those who do, the results are positive. Research shows that teens whose parents talk to them about drugs and alcohol subjects make better choices. Start the conversation today…. and keep it going!

#What’syourinfluence?

#don’tbelieveeverythingyouhear#it’sstillsmoking

#teensandparentstalkoften