Know! Teachable Moments

We create two Know! Teachable Moments each month and email them to all who sign up to receive Know! Teachable Moments. As tips are added, we also post them to this webpage, where anyone can read them. Below, you’ll find a wide variety of Know! Teachable Moments on topics such as racism, COVID-19, alcohol, prescription drug misuse, and more. If you have a suggestion for a tip, please email us at contact@preventionactionalliance.org.

COVID-19

• Know! Compassion and Caring to Reduce COVID Stigma–Those who have or have had COVID-19 may feel isolated, depressed, and abandoned because of a stigma associated with having the disease. If we’re going to support the recovery of those with COVID-19, we have to speak out against discrimination and stigma.
• Know! Six R’s for Less Stress Schooling at Home–COVID-19 has many kids, parents, and teachers stressed in a learning-at-home environment. This Know! tip shares practical ways you can set up your kids—and you—for success.
• Know! Teens in Disguise to Buy Alcohol–Some teens are taking advantage of the pandemic to use masks and fake IDs to purchase alcohol. This Know! tip shares more information about this trend and what you can do about underage drinking.
• Know! Our Youth Are Beyond Stressed–Our young people are stressed. Some youth are at increased risk for suicide. For those who are struggling with mental health here are 10 steps we can take to protect and support them.
• Know! How To Keep It Safe This Party Season–Prom and graduation seasons are quickly approaching. Even though the celebrations will most likely look and feel different this year, underage drinking is still a risk for teens and parents who host the parties.
• Know! You Are NOT Alone–Due to the pandemic, mental health issues among tweens, teens and young adults are on the rise. Just like any other health condition, it’s vitally important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of mental illness so that it can be addressed. Read these tips from NAMI to help guide families on the path toward healing.
• Know! To Ease The Transition Back To School—Do we wear a mask and socially distance at school? I haven’t seen some of my friends in over a year. I’m not sure I can keep up in class. While some stress is OK, young people coping with strong negative em0tions may turn to risky behaviors. As parents, teachers and adult allies, we need to know how to make the transition back to school easier for students, especially this year.

Racism and Equity

• Know! To Talk about George Floyd and Racism with Youth–While it is difficult to talk about racism and police-involved killings, our kids are hearing about these topics, and they need our guidance. For expert recommendations about how to talk about George Floyd’s death and racism in general, read this Know! tip.
• Know! To Define Racial Terms for Teens–Our kids hear and see the news, too, even if they may not have a robust understanding of all the terms used. This Know! tip will help you explain to your teen what words like bias, prejudice, white fragility, systemic racism, microaggressions, and more mean.
• Know! to Continue the Conversation on Racism–Our children don’t live in isolated bubbles. With our entire nation undergoing a long-awaited dialogue on racism, this Know! tip shares ways that we can talk to our children about racism in a way that helps them understand what’s going on around them.
• Know! July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month – People who identify as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color have less access to high-quality mental health care, which worsens their mental health outcomes. This Know! tip shares information about these disparities and the importance of watching for the warning signs of a mental health issue.

Parenting

• Know! To Put Self-Care and Connection into Practice in the New Year –Now that 2020 is over, here are strategies and tips for helping your students make the most of this new year.
• Know! To Positively Connect with Your Teen–As a parent, the relationship you have with your child is crucial. Fostering that relationship to improve your child’s adolescent development, the subject of this Know! tip, is likewise crucial.
• Know! Gratitude for the Health of It – Did you know that expressing gratitude can make you feel happy, alert, and less stressed? Learn about the benefits of gratitude and how to support gratitude in your children with this Know! tip.
• Know! How To Talk About The Attack on the Capitol–Young people need to be able to talk about disturbing events they have seen in person, on TV or via social media, such as protestors laying siege to the U.S. Capitol. Learn how to help them process acts of violence they have witnessed and to cope with the resulting stress and anxiety.
• Know! Online Predators On The Rise–Young people are online more than ever and so are predators. Find out the best way to protect our youth from the dangers that are lurking on the internet.
• Know! To Talk Teen Romance–The scars that can come from a bad relationship, even as tweens and teens, can be harmful. Know the differences between a healthy romantic relationship and an unhealthy one.
• Know! To Join The Meditation Movement–Help you and your students deal with everyday stress by practicing meditation. Check out these seven basic meditation steps to promote overall emotional well-being. Namaste!
• Know! How To Combat Spring Fever–It’s spring. In addition to spring growth, you may notice changes in your students as well. Are they restless or daydreaming in school? If so, they may be exhibiting casebook signs of spring fever. The good thing to know is that it’s curable. Check out these recommendations to help your students stay on track.
• Know! How To Keep It Safe This Party Season–Prom and graduation seasons are quickly approaching. Even though the celebrations will most likely look and feel different this year, underage drinking is still a risk for teens and parents who host the parties.
• Know! May is Mental Health Month–It’s easy to fall into negative thinking patterns, dwelling on past decisions or worrying about the future—especially during difficult times. Check out this advice from Mental Health America on how to recognize extreme negativity and tips for challenging negative thoughts.
• Know! To Create A Summer Bucket List–While spontaneity can be exciting and fun, a little preplanning by the whole family can go a long way in helping to make the most of summer.  Keep in mind, however, that the best-laid plans are subject to change; so be flexible.
• Know! To Hop Off The “Let Them Be Bored” Bandwagon–While not be expected to keep their teens entertained 24/7, parents should help them explore creative interests in a safe and beneficial way. Not sure what to suggest? We have some tips for you.
• Know! How To Help Youth After A Suicide Loss–Someone you know died by suicide and you are shocked and struggling to make sense of what happened. It’s even more difficult for a young person to understand why a friend or loved one chose to end their life. Learn how to help them move forward in a positive direction with information, guidance and continued support.
• Know! How Your Parenting Skills Rate–Being a parent isn’t easy. At one time or the other, we’ve all wondered what makes us a good one. Research science comes to our rescue by determining the top 10 parenting skills needed to achieve positive child-rearing outcomes. See how your parenting skills rate by taking a quiz.
• Know! Better Sleep=Better School Performance—Sleep is fuel for the brain and getting the right amount of quality sleep is essential to health—especially for young minds. Check out these tips to help students achieve better school performance.
• Know! To Change The Game For Youth Gambling—When we think of gambling, we often think it’s an adults-only issue. However, according to Change the Game Ohio, more than one in 10 youth admit having gambled money or personal items. Youth gambling often starts with playing seemingly harmless games that subtly develop into problematic behavior. Find out how to talk to your children about the dangers of gambling.
• Know! To Balance Work And Play—Are your children stressed out from trying to manage homework and extra-curricular activities? Know the risks and check out these tips to help minimize the stress that surrounds homework.

Prescription Drug Misuse

• Know! To Beware the Benadryl Challenge–Isolated media reports indicate that some teens may be intentionally overdosing on Benadryl, an over-the-counter allergy medicine, and recording their experience on TikTok. Read this Know! tip to learn more about this challenge and what parents and teachers can do to protect their young people.
• Know, Secure, Dispose to Prevention Prescription Drug Abuse–Prescription drugs are one of the most common drugs teens misuse and can lead to addiction, injury, or even death. By knowing about the medicines in our home, securing them, and disposing of ones we no longer need, we can ensure that these medicines remain helpful and don’t become harmful.
• Know! To Bust the Myths to Prevent Prescription Drug Abuse–Teens don’t always know all the facts about prescription drug misuse. In this Know! tip, we’ve compiled the three facts every teen should know about prescription drugs.

Psychedelic Mushrooms Misuse

• Know! What’s up with Psychedelics?–States have begun decriminalizing and even legalizing psychedelic mushrooms. With all the buzz surrounding them, young people are bound to hear and wonder about these potent drugs. Learn more about the movements to decriminalize or legalize psilocybin with this Know! tip.
• Know! To Steer Youth Clear of Psychedelics–Psilocybin can cause a host of negative effects, including dizziness, nausea, vomiting, hallucinations, distorted thinking, confusion, paranoia, and death, among many others. This Know! tip shares information you need to know when talking to kids about psychedelic mushrooms.

To learn more about Know! or how to take advantage of program resources, contact us at (614) 540-9985 or Contact@PreventionActionAlliance.org.