NORTHAMPTON — Local youth-serving organizations have teamed up to offer an online forum that aims to provide parents with vital information to support their children’s mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Teens, Tweens, & Quarantines” is a Zoom platform presentation for parents and caregivers focusing on the impact of COVID-19 on young people to be offered live on Tuesday, April 28, at 4 p.m. In a dynamic fashion, this forum will:
- Address the teen/tween brain;
- Explain why this pandemic is so difficult for this age group;
- Identify the process of loss as it relates to teens during COVID-19;
- Discuss key developmental issues related to young people’s independence, autonomy, privacy;
- Offer suggestions parents can implement immediately.
Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and hear practical steps they can take in real time. Presenters are Jon Mattleman, New England Clinical Director from Minding Your Mind with support from Kristal Cleaver, Director of Community Education from Clinical Support Options.
“There can be no doubt that challenges such as anxiety and depression are accompanying this pandemic and the resulting quarantining. Teens and tweens are highly reactive to the world in general,” said Mattleman. “The Coronavirus has resulted in significant losses that parents must acknowledge and address…all in an effort to diminish the burden of their trauma now and in the future.”
The forum has been organized by the SPIFFY Coalition, Northwestern District Attorney’s Office, Northampton and South Hadley prevention coalitions, Easthampton Healthy Youth Coalition and Quaboag Hills Substance Use Alliance.
Minding Your Mind provides mental health education to adolescents, teens and young adults, parents and caregivers, teachers and school administrators to end the stigma and destructive behaviors often associated with mental health challenges and conditions. For more information about Minding Your Mind: www.mindingyourmind.org
The forum is free and open to all, but participants must register, by going to this link and providing name and email information www.mindingyourmind.org/ttq-spiffy