Parent Workshops for Teen Mental Health

Parishioner Dr. Julie Connor, Ed.D joins us in the month of November to run workshops, field questions, offer resources, and cultivate conversation about mental health.

Come with your questions ready!

Light refreshments will be provided.

"My background includes 42 years in education, pastoral ministry, crisis intervention, and outreach to at-risk youth and famillies. I am passionate about empowering youth and adults with tools to communicate, to build relationships, create safe environments for conversation about tough topics (inluding mental illness, substance abuse, and suicide prevention), and conflict resolution."
- Dr. Julie Connor, Ed.D
 

Schedule of Events

Sunday, October 31  -  Initial Welcoming (20 minutes)
Dr. Connor will be available at 12:00pm after Mass in the Parish Hall for an opening discussion. She will field initial questions and offer resources. 

Tuesday, Nov 9:  7:00pm - 8:30pm - How Do YOU Face Life's Challenges? / Mental Health Resources 
This discussion will focus on what we do and who we turn to when we face challenges (positive friends, family support, mentors, healthy activities, generosity, spirituality, physical health, mental health).  We will briefly introduce national and local mental health resources.


Tuesday, Nov  16:  7:00pm - 8:30pm - Reflective Listening / Feedback / Advice vs. Options & Solutions
We will begin to learn about, model, and practice skills when we want to discuss a challenging topic or when someone wants to discuss a difficult issue with us.  "Difficult" and "challenging" topics are often personal issues that may be hard to discuss; these topics may include mental health issues.  We will explore how to engage in reflective listening and solution-seeking strategies.

Tuesday, Nov 23: 7:00pm - 8:30pm - Keep the Spark Alive / #GiveMe20 / #BeThe1To
BJ Thomas-Wilson and Sylvia Harrell, two parents who lost children to suicide, will share their stories and ways they are opening conversations and inspiring hope throughout the community.  Both of them founded organizations that promote suicide prevention awareness.  BJ is the founder of Shifting Gears for Regan; Sylvia and her husband founded Keep the Spark Alive.  (The Harrels and Johnson County suicide prevention efforts were recently featured on Good Morning America).  Together, BJ and Sylvia designed and teach students how to create a #GiveMe20 boxes, a box for collecting emergency phone numbers and contact information, photos of those they love, momentos of inspiration, for reference if they experience a crisis and need a reminder that their lives matter.




Tuesday, Nov 30:  7:00pm - 8:30pm -We Give Thanks / Sources of Strength / #ZeroReasonsWhy

Sources of Strength and #ZeroReasonWhy teen peer leaders from Blue Valley West High School will be part of a teen panel to share their experiences to promote mental health and wellness at their school, discuss issues related to teens and mental health, and answer questions from parents and concerned adults who attend the parish event.  I did a leadership training with these teens at Blue Valley West HS yesterday and they are inspiring!