Dec. 14 webinar will focus on the mental health of young people; latest in health foundation's annual policy forum series

The fourth of five free webinars about efforts to reduce disease and unhealthy behaviors that often begin in childhood will focus on ways to better understand youth and ways to build and support their mental health, especially amidst the uncertainty, isolation and stress of the coronavirus pandemic.

"2020 has presented more challenges to the youth of Kentucky, particularly to their mental health and well-being, than any time in recent memory," Sheila Schuster, executive director of the Advocacy Action Network and the moderator of the event, said in a news release. 

She added, "The twin pandemics of covid-19 and racial injustice have created serious disruptions of developmental patterns, educational progress, family life, peer relationships and a developing sense of self. The community of young people, parents, educators, advocates, policy-makers and professionals need to come together to provide supports and resources during these troubled times.”

The webinar, "Kentucky Opportunities to Prevent Youth Substance Use, Suicide and Risky Behaviors," will be presented from 2 to 3 p.m. ET Monday, Dec. 14. It is free, but registration is required. Click here to register. 

The webinar is part of the monthly "Moving Kids Toward Natural Highs" series that is serving as the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky's annual Howard L. Bost Memorial Health Policy Forum, due to the pandemic. The foundation is partnering with Kentucky Youth Advocates on it. 

The webinar speakers will help participants gain an understanding of youth from a mental health perspective and the impact of the pandemic on youth mental health in Kentucky; learn about statewide and community-based youth mental health programs, including those for youth with disabilities; explore internet safety and prevention of online bullying and other unhealthy online behaviors; and learn about a peer-based suicide-prevention program in Louisville.

This month's panelists will be: Dr. Felicia Smith, licensed psychologist and co-owner of StrongMinds; Dr. Allen Brenzel, medical director, state Department for Behavioral Health; Kerry Gallagher, director of K-12 education, ConnectSafely; and Beatrice Roussell, youth speaker, graduate of Manual High School, where she was a member of the STAMINA Suicide Prevention Group. She is a college student facing her first semester away from home during the pandemic. 

The last webinar on the schedule will be "Stopping Vaping and Substance Use" on Jan. 11. Click here to register for it.  

The recordings for the first three webinars in the series can be viewed on the foundation's website. Click here to view "State of Child Health in Kentucky," here for "Intervening Early" and here for "Promoting Healthy Lifestyles through Nutrition and Physical Activity."