1:30-2:30 PM
All parents and guardians are welcome to join with TJ staff as we work on PTSA-supported mental health & wellness events and programs at our monthly meeting. (Meetings normally take place on the first Monday of the month, 1:30-3 PM.) Join by video on Google Meet (see the PTSA calendar event info to join by phone).
This event was held March 2 & 9 and hosted by the PTSA Health & Wellness Committee.
Slides from Part 1 led by TJ psychologist Esther Barkat
Slides from Part 2 led by TJ social worker Danielle Armstrong
From the book description: “Humans are social creatures: In this simple and obvious fact lies both the problem and the solution to the current crisis of loneliness. In his groundbreaking book, the 19th surgeon general of the United States Dr. Vivek Murthy makes a case for loneliness as a public health concern: a root cause and contributor to many of the epidemics sweeping the world today from alcohol and drug addiction to violence to depression and anxiety. Loneliness, he argues, is affecting not only our health, but also how our children experience school, how we perform in the workplace, and the sense of division and polarization in our society.
“But, at the center of our loneliness is our innate desire to connect. We have evolved to participate in community, to forge lasting bonds with others, to help one another, and to share life experiences. We are, simply, better together.”
“Together” is available at the Fairfax Co. library or their ebook platform, or buy from your local bookseller or online. https://www.vivekmurthy.com/together-book
More about the book:https://www.aspenideashealth.org/post/vivek-murthy-together
See our idea list for other book suggestions from the H&W Committee (the list includes past Principal’s Book Club selections and the Challenge Success book, “Overloaded and Underprepared”): http://a.co/aZ7aFgl
How are YOU doing? Really, how are you?
Trying to lead a family during these times can be exceedingly difficult. Children’s mental health is declining, and parents are concerned about their own mental health.
Learn practical tools that can be applied IMMEDIATELY to restore your sense of calm and focus so you have the energy and confidence you need to cultivate joy and connection in your family.
Presented by Corinne Coppola, M.A., and Well-Being Professional.
Friday, February 12, 2021 10 – 11:30 a.m.
FCPS Parent Resource Center presents:
You’re worried. Your child has been sad or irritable for days and doesn’t seem interested in activities they usually find fun. For 1 in 10 adolescents, it’s ‘depression’. NIMH conducts research studies to understand the causes of depression, how it’s affected by the teen brain, and the evaluation of new treatments.
This webinar will focus on these topics:
Presented by Chana Engel who is a Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in the Mood Brain & Development Unit at the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH).
Friday, February 5, 2021 10 – 11:30 a.m.
The Minds Matter student mental health and wellness group hosted an alumni panel during 8th period on 12/2/20 to hear their inspiring stories of their college decisions and destinations, dealing with disappointment and mental health challenges, and finding their paths in life. Featuring Katherine Du (TJ ’18), Ruhee Shah (TJ ’15), Emily Rea (TJ ’07), and Vikram Chiruvolu (TJ ’93).
View the recording here.
Slides from this virtual event are available here:
Tuesdays, January 12 & 19, 7-8:30 PM
Relationships, valuing emotions, and building social connections are important to healthy development. Join Dr. Esther Barkat, TJ psychologist, to discuss ideas from the book How to Raise a Boy: The Power of Connection to Build Good Men by Dr. Michael C. Reichert. Reichert says, “The paradigms about boys needing to be stoic and manly can actually cause them to shut down. The key to changing the culture lies in how parents, educators, and mentors help boys develop socially and emotionally.” In his book, he gives step by step guidance.
(From book description:) Featuring the latest insights from psychology and neuroscience, How to Raise a Boy will help those who care for young boys and teenagers build a boyhood that will enable them to grow into confident, accomplished and kind men.
Our Wellness book idea list includes titles referred to in the January 12 session.
All parents, guardians, and students are invited to join the Mental Health Coalition, led by SGA and the student mental health group Minds Matter. MHC brings together students, administration, teachers, counselors and parents to coordinate mental health and wellness efforts for the TJ community. Video link available on the PTSA Google calendar. Meetings occur monthly on the 3rd Thursday, 4:30-5:30 PM.
Click the above link to download the slides from “Being a Present Parent” discussion series led by Danielle Armstrong, LCSW, TJ Social Worker (Oct-Nov 2020). Based on the book “The Power of Showing Up: How Parental Presence Shapes Who Our Kids Become and How Their Brains Get Wired,” by Daniel J. Siegel, MD, and Tina Payne Bryson, PhD.
Key concept:
Parents can focus on building a relationship with their child involving the 4 “S”s so they can build confidence and resilience as they grow toward adulthood and independence:
Safe: feel protected and sheltered from harm
Seen: know you care about them and pay attention to them (gives
mindsight–knowing you have feelings and thoughts that are real and are worth
being loved and paid attention to)
Soothed: know you will be there when they’re hurting (life comes with pain, but
won’t have to go through it alone)
Secure: trust you to predictably help them feel “at home” in the world, then learn to
help themselves feel safe, seen and soothed
(Note date change from usual Thursday meetings.) All parents, guardians, and students are invited to join the Mental Health Coalition, led by SGA and the student mental health group Minds Matter. MHC brings together students, administration, teachers, counselors and parents to coordinate mental health and wellness efforts for the TJ community. Video link available on the PTSA Google calendar. Meetings occur monthly on the 3rd Thursday, 4:30-5:30 PM.
All are welcome to join in with TJ staff as we work on PTSA-supported mental health & wellness events and programs at our monthly meeting. Meetings normally take place on the first Monday of the month, 1:30-3 PM. Join by video on Google Meet (see the PTSA calendar event info to join by phone).