Teens face challenges that can feel overwhelming. Emotional struggles, pressure to fit in, and unresolved pain can take a toll. When mental health problems go unaddressed, they can lead to dangerous consequences. Many teens look for ways to cope, and some turn to drugs or alcohol. Ignoring mental health in teens doesn’t just affect their …
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By Kelly Kander, LCPC Spring is in the air, the sun is shining, the days are getting longer, and the thoughts of young brains everywhere seem to have drifted out the window, far away from any classroom. Spring fever has set in leaving parents and teachers pulling out their hair to figure out how to …
By Meghan Stewart, M.S., LCPC The act of cutting to make one feel better may seem contradictory. This is why cutting has become widely known and easily accessible for adolescents. As a parent, you may have heard about cutting but what are the red flags and what can you do? The term cutting can be …
By Tim Elmore Our kids today are growing up in a world where they can become addicted to happy chemicals. We live in a society that loves to “binge” on things we like. It may be addictions to drugs or alcohol, but it can also be simple pleasures like Netflix, TikTok, or even junk food. …
Anita Wotkyns, Ravalli County Along with the Bitterroot Discovery Children’s Museum and the Hamilton Masonic Lodge, we helped put on a community event we called, “LEGO and Eggo.” We got sponsored food from Costco to have a waffle bar, and the children’s museum put together 8 different STEM activities, all centered around LEGO. I was …
Barb Reiter, Jefferson County On January 22 a Health and Safety Fair was held at Jefferson High for all students. Some of the booths students visited were: CPR, energy drinks and nutrition, inflatable brain and VR tour of the brain, Natural High, FCCLA booths on heart health, resilience and buckle-up, cell phone and internet safety, …
Gina Lamb, Phillips County The 19th Annual Ice Classic Fishing Tournament was held at Nelson Reservoir for 200 anglers of all ages. Prevention provided Fishing Gadgets to all participants. The winning catches for adults were a 1 lb 8 oz Perch, 7 lb 5 oz Walleye and 22 lb 2 oz Northern Pike. And for …
MTPLC Leads Initiative to Expand Mental Health Supports for Rural and Tribal Schools in Montana The Montana Professional Learning Collaborative (MTPLC), in partnership with STOPit Solutions and the Montana Small Schools Alliance (MSSA), has announced the launch of the Expanding Montana Rural Student Mental Health Supports initiative. Funded by a STOP School Violence Act Grant …
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Beth Morrison, Cascade County As the 2025 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) approaches, prevention specialists across Montana are encouraged to connect with school administrators to promote participation in this critical survey. While past efforts have largely focused on advocating for the Montana Prevention Needs Assessment, the spotlight has now shifted to ensuring schools understand the …
Gina Lamb, Phillips County During December Prevention promoted on social media: National Impaired Driving Month, Seasonal Affective Disorder and Holiday Mocktail recipes. We also sponsored a page in the annual Malta Chamber Christmas Coloring Book distributed to all youth within Phillips County. Gina partnered with Malta Kiwanis in assisting youth with decorating cookies at the …