Snowballs or Avalanches: Which ones are more dangerous?
Dr. Yanni Rho, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Parent and Member of the Contra Costa County Suicide Prevention Coalition
The answer: Both can be! Avalanches are obvious; you see a sign while driving through the hills and are aware that there is danger and that your car could be covered in seconds.
Snowballs individually may not be a problem. But if you are thrown snowball after snowball after snowball, your car may be covered, maybe not in seconds, but it could be if the conditions are just right. And sometimes, what you think is a snowball can feel like an avalanche to your child/teen.
As parents and guardians, it’s important to watch for both avalanches and snowballs for ourselves as well in our teens’ lives as certain times in their lives may be more risky. Transitions or significant life events/traumas are a known factor that plays into depression and increases suicide risk for children and teens. Some examples are breakups, losing friend groups, family transitions, being bullied, etc.
Other things to notice that can increase risk are drug and alcohol use, depression and anxiety, poor sleep and eating habits, etc.
Make sure to touch base with your teens, and remember to respect their space and not be intrusive as well. This is easier said than done, but something that you can say (when your child/teen wants to be left alone) is “I just want to check in with you because I love you and want you to know that you can come to me when you are ready to talk. If you can’t talk to me, please make sure you are talking with someone who will support you.” And if they are willing to talk, validate their feelings and try not to minimize (eg. “Everything will be okay” or “it’s not a big deal”). Empathic and active listening can help open doors to deeper conversations.
Remember that even if they look or seem happy, they may be struggling inside, so watch for signs such as talking about suicide or death, feeling hopeless or guilty, pulling away from friends and family, losing desire to do their favorite activities, changes in personality, etc.
Fortunately, we have access to mental health/well-being resources, such as the Wellness centers at school, counselors, nurses, community providers such as pediatricians and therapists, psychiatrists, etc. Some of us may also have access to traditional healers, religious or spiritual leaders, and other communities of support. But we also have access to 988 Lifeline (text or call), the California Parent and Youth helpline (text, chat, or call), or Youthline peer support line in Oregon (open to all teens- call, text, chat, email). So feel free to utilize and share with others and your children. If you have questions or would like more support, feel free to reach out to parented@acalanesparentsclub.com.
Parent Education
The Final AUHSD Wellness Parent Ed Event for this School Year is Tuesday
The Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office will present Keeping Your Child Safe on Social Media
When: Tuesday, Apr 18 from 6-7:30pm
Where: Zoom
RSVP: please register here if interested!
Please visit the AUHSD Parent Ed website for a full list of the Wellness Parent Ed events and valuable recordings from past events.
Parent Ed
Fentanyl, Narcan & Other Important Drug Updates - DATE CHANGE
with Addiction Specialist Dr. Allyson Mayo, Medical Director of Comprehensive Wellness Dr. Rebecca Parish, and CHS Wellness Coordinator Jenna Wrobel
When: Wednesday, Mar 29 at 6:30pm
Where: Campolindo Library
Snowballs or Avalanches: Which ones are more dangerous?
The answer: Both can be!
“As parents and guardians, it’s important to watch for both avalanches and snowballs for ourselves as well in our teens' lives, as certain times in their lives may be more risky. Transitions or significant life events/traumas are a known factor that plays into depression and increases suicide risk for children and teens.”
Please read an important message here from Dr. Yanni Rho, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist. Included is what to watch for in our teens, tips for checking in with our teens and important resources to support teens and parents.
Parent Ed
UPCOMING AUHSD WELLNESS PARENT EDUCATION
Supporting Students with Anxiety
With Acalanes Wellness Center Coordinator, Patrick Turner, MA, PPS, APCC
WHEN: Tuesday, Mar 21 from 6-7:30pm
WHERE: On Zoom - Register Here
Click here to review the full AUHSD Wellness Parent Education Series for 2023.
Recordings of past Wellness Parent Ed events can be viewed on the AUHSD website here. Topics include Depression & Anxiety, The Fentanyl Epidemic, Connecting with Your Teen and more.
Fentanyl, Narcan & Other Important Drug Updates - DATE CHANGE
with Addiction Specialist Dr. Allyson Mayo, Medical Director of Comprehensive Wellness Dr. Rebecca Parish, and CHS Wellness Coordinator Jenna Wrobel
WHEN: Wednesday, Mar 29 at 6:30pm - Date Change
WHERE: Campolindo Library
Open to all AUHSD parents!
Snowballs or Avalanches: Which ones are more dangerous?
The answer: Both can be!
“As parents and guardians, it’s important to watch for both avalanches and snowballs for ourselves as well in our teens' lives, as certain times in their lives may be more risky. Transitions or significant life events/traumas are a known factor that plays into depression and increases suicide risk for children and teens.”
Please read an important message here from Dr. Yanni Rho, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist. Included is what to watch for in our teens, tips for checking in with our teens and important resources to support teens and parents.
Parent Ed
Snowballs or Avalanches: Which ones are more dangerous?
The answer: Both can be!
“As parents and guardians, it’s important to watch for both avalanches and snowballs for ourselves as well in our teens' lives, as certain times in their lives may be more risky. Transitions or significant life events/traumas are a known factor that plays into depression and increases suicide risk for children and teens.”
Please read an important message here from Dr. Yanni Rho, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist. Included is what to watch for in our teens, tips for checking in with our teens and important resources to support teens and parents.
UPCOMING AUHSD WELLNESS PARENT EDUCATION
Fentanyl, Narcan & Other Important Drug Updates
with Addiction Specialist Dr. Allyson Mayo, Medical Director of Comprehensive Wellness Dr. Rebecca Parish, and CHS Wellness Coordinator Jenna Wrobel
When: Tuesday, Mar 14 at 6:30pm
Where: Campolindo Library
Supporting Students with Anxiety
with Acalanes Wellness Center Coordinator, Patrick Turner, MA, PPS, APCC
When: Tuesday, Mar 21 from 6-7:30pm
Where: On Zoom - Register Here
Click here to review the full AUHSD Wellness Parent Education Series for 2023. Recordings of past Wellness Parent Ed events can be viewed on the AUHSD website here. Topics include Depression & Anxiety, The Fentanyl Epidemic, Connecting with Your Teen and more.
Parent Education
Repairing the World: Stories From the Tree of Life
Date: Thursday, Mar 9
Time: 7:00 pm
Place: Del Valle Theater, Walnut Creek
Register Here
There will be a Q&A session after the showing with Film Director Patrice O’Neill.
Parent Education
Please save the date for our next AUHSD Wellness Parent Education Event!
What: “Supporting Students With Sleep: Why Sleep Is Important”
Presented by Deniz Keskinel, MSc
Date: Tuesday, Feb 21
Time: 6-7:30pm
Where: Over Zoom
Register Here
Click here to review the full AUHSD Wellness Parent Education Series for 2023. Recordings of past Wellness Parent Ed events can be viewed on the AUHSD website here. Topics include Depression & Anxiety, The Fentanyl Epidemic, Connecting with Your Teen and more.
Parent Education
Please save the date for our next AUHSD Wellness Parent Education Event!
What: “Supporting Students With Sleep: Why Sleep Is Important”
Presented by Deniz Keskinel, MSc
Date: Tuesday, Feb 21
Time: 6-7:30pm
Where: Over Zoom
Register Here
Click here to review the full AUHSD Wellness Parent Education Series for 2023. Recordings of past Wellness Parent Ed events can be viewed on the AUHSD website here. Topics include Depression & Anxiety, The Fentanyl Epidemic, Connecting with Your Teen and more.
Parent Education
What: Parents Presentation of Substance-Free Athletics
COMMUNITY NARCAN TRAINING
What: Narcan Training - Free & Open to the Public
When: Monday, Feb 6, 4-6pm
Where: Rainbow Community Center, 2380 Salvio St. Ste 301, Concord, CA 94520
See community flyer for more information.
LAMORINDA SUBSTANCE-FREE ATHLETICS PRESENTATION
What: Parents Presentation of Substance-Free Athletics
When: Tuesday, Feb 7, 6:30-8:30pm
Where: Miramonte High School Library AND on Zoom
Register here: Note that you can attend in person or on zoom. Please register using the link no matter which format you plan to attend.
Description: Substance-Free Athletics (SFA) is a nationally recognized youth prevention program that got its start in the Miramonte community several years ago.
AUHSD WELLNESS PARENT EDUCATION
Click here to review the full AUHSD Wellness Parent Education Series for 2023.
Recordings of past Wellness Parent Ed events can be viewed on the AUHSD website here. Topics include Depression & Anxiety, The Fentanyl Epidemic, Connecting with Your Teen and more.
Parent Education
What: Parents Presentation of Substance-Free Athletics
When: Tuesday, Feb 7, 6:30-8:30pm
Where: Miramonte High School Library AND on Zoom
Register here: Note that you can attend in person or on zoom. Please register using the link no matter which format you plan to attend.
Description: Substance-Free Athletics (SFA) is a nationally recognized youth prevention program that got its start in the Miramonte community several years ago. Research has shown that underage substance use prevention will have one of the most important impacts on public health. SFA was developed because of this, as well as the research showing that alcohol, marijuana and nicotine have significant and specific impacts on sports and athletic development. Research also shows that the adult stakeholders in a student athlete’s life (coaches and parents) have significant influence in athlete decisions to use. MHS coaches have participated in SFA trainings this school year and MHS is now offering this training to all AUHSD parents.
AUHSD Wellness Parent Education Series
Click here to review the full AUHSD Wellness Parent Education Series for 2023.
Recordings of past Wellness Parent Ed events can be viewed on the AUHSD website here. Topics include Depression & Anxiety, The Fentanyl Epidemic, Connecting with Your Teen and more.
Parent Ed
Please join us for the next event in our Wellness Parent Education Series. The Sports and Wellness Education Night will take place on Tuesday, Jan 24 from 6-7:30pm on Zoom with Dr. Doug Garner. You can register here.
Click here to review the full Wellness Parent Education Series for 2023.
Recordings of past Wellness Parent Ed events can be viewed on the AUHSD website here. Topics include Depression & Anxiety, The Fentanyl Epidemic, Connecting with Your Teen and more.
