Other Parents Like Me is an online parent to parent support community designed for parents of teens and young adults struggling with mental health issues.

If your child is struggling with anxiety, depression, substance use, or an eating disorder, remember that you are not alone.

For the last 10 years, iASK-CAB has used the Drug Free Communities Grant to work with all parts of the community toward building resilience in our youth and preventing underage use of alcohol and other drugs.  

• Past 30-day alcohol use by 10th & 12 graders has declined by 73% and 59%, respectively
• Past 30-day use of marijuana by 10th & 12 graders has  declined by 70% and 64%, respectively
• Past 30-day vaping by 10th & 12 graders has  declined by 91% and 83%, respectively

See more results by watching the video below:

Join the Irvington About Safe Kids – Community Advisory Board coalition for a presentation of Irvington student survey results investigating drug and alcohol use and perceptions among our youth. In conjunction, a panel of local experts will discuss associated social, legal, mental health and medical concerns.

Source: Newport Academy

Teenagers react to structure in different ways. Many thrive on it and look forward to the start of the school year. For some, letting go of summer’s spontaneity is especially hard. Planning for the transition back to school makes the experience smoother for everyone. Here are tips families can use to get back into the school routine. 

Tip #1: Create a Schedule and Share It
For most teenagers, organization isn’t a strong suit. That’s because their brains are still developing, along with their executive functioning skills. But it’s important for teens to understand how to use their time appropriately. Before the school year begins, parents should talk with their teens about their schedule—not just their morning schedule and school schedule, but their after-school schedule, too. Tip #2: Wake Up and Go to Bed at Set Times
Generally speaking, teenagers need eight to 10 hours of sleep each night. But research shows that up to 70 percent of high school students sleep less than seven hours per night. Chronic sleep deprivation can negatively affect teenagers’ mental well-being and hinder their ability to concentrate. Teenagers with a set bedtime schedule are more likely to get adequate rest. And that means they have more energy to perform at school.

Tip #3: Limit Teens’ Screen Time
Another way to ensure that teens get enough sleep is to limit their screen time, especially in the evenings. When teens are on their screens right before bed, they tend to feel less sleepy.

Tip #4: Eat Regular Meals as a Family
Life usually gets a whole lot busier when school starts. With kids juggling homework, extracurricular activities, and time with friends, it’s hard to gather the whole family together for evening meals. While it may be challenging to eat together every night, blocking off time to connect as a family around the dinner table is well worth it.

Tip #5: Work Downtime into the Routine
Living in a culture that prizes activity, many teens juggle daily routines that are chock-full of demanding classes, extracurricular activities, homework, maybe even a part-time job or college prep workshop. There’s value in productivity. But overscheduled teens can also feel exhausted and overwhelmed. Everyone needs time to unwind and recharge. Downtime is a healthy form of stress relief.

Tip #6: Make Sure There’s Time to Move
The benefits of exercise are well-known. First, it’s a huge stress reliever. It’s also been shown to bolster academic performance, improve sleep, and reduce symptoms of depression in both young children and teenagers.

Tip #7: Help Teens Get Organized
Some teenagers are diligent about organizing their assignments and keeping track of their responsibilities. Others may need help establishing regular routines for studying and finding the right methods for organization. To figure out what tools a teen needs, start with a discussion. Talk with them about which subjects require more time. Help them decide if they need to rearrange their schedule as a result. They may realize they need to replace some extracurricular activities with academic responsibilities. If tools and parent support aren’t working, explore the possibility of a tutor or an academic coach.

Tip #8: Practice Gratitude
In the fall, the pace of life intensifies and everyone’s to-do list grows. Hence, it’s helpful for families and teens to slow down and take a few moments each day to practice gratitude. Many studies have proven that expressing appreciation for what’s good in your life boosts happiness and other positive emotions. In addition, the practice of gratitude helps teens build resilience.

The 2023 iASK-CAB Community Leadership Award, an annual award that recognizes the dedication and commitment to promoting healthy and responsible choices by teens in the Irvington community, was awarded to five juniors in 2023.  Village of Irvington Mayor Brian Smith, the Irvington Board of Trustees, Joe, and Chris, as iASK-CAB co-chairs, honored them during the June 5th Village Board meeting.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and there’s no better time than now to start making mental health a priority.

Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable. People experiencing mental health challenges deserve support, compassion, and care—not stigma and shame.

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

Don’t be afraid to reach out if you or someone you know needs help. Learning all you can about mental health is an important first step. Here are a few important mental health resources:

• NAMI Westchester

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

• Youth Mental Health Project

If you or someone you know is in crisis, text HOME to 741741 to reach a trained Crisis Counselor 24/7 at the Crisis Text Line or call/text 988 to reach a local crisis center through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.