South Kingstown Partnership for Prevention, 2019
This unique workshop presentation was led by two different youth groups and presented at RI PREVCON 2019. First, the Chariho Youth Task Force showcased the important difference between mental health and mental illness. This presentation identifies daily stressors, utilizes youth-friendly strategies to address stress, and provides concrete calls to action through simple behavioral change strategies regarding the language we use. This presentation aims to provide people with the tools that youth and adults need to start a conversation about mental health. During the second part of this session, MK Whitten, with members of Rebels Inspiring Positive Lifestyles (RIPL) youth group presented on teaching coping skills as primary prevention utilizing mindfulness- based activities. Coping skills explained in the presentation may be used in schools and in the home. Capitalizing on the plasticity of developing brains, we can arm youth with better coping skills as they are exposed to substances.
