Let's all Talk Mental Health’s Post

Childhood Drinking Culture. Our Opinion: So as this news hits, it contradicts past news that the youth of today are actually drinking less. We believe the reason WHY so many young kids have drank so early, is because it is simply just so normalised in our culture and society. Few possible contributing factors which are examples of this include: > Children being around their parents drinking from birth. At parties, weddings, watching T.V on a Friday night. All perfectly acceptable things, but the impact of this is the fact that alcohol is simply part of life, daily or otherwise. Making it 'No big deal' and just something 'you do. > Parents offering alcohol to their kids at aforementioned events at an age well below 18. We have all seen and possibly done it. Offered a teenager a beer or Shandy at the pub. Our parents did it to us, no harm right? It just simply drives the message home that alcohol is perfectly ok, and something that you do. If we are to improve the health of our society and reduce alcohol harm we as adults must change our approach to drinking and offering alcohol to children, as well as looking at our own relationship with alcohol. Is it really that healthy? Do you have a wine glass in your hand around you kids far to often than even you really like? . We are not against alcohol we simply believe it should be a choice. And that includes a choice for children, for them to decide to if they want to drink when they are 18. We as a culture and society do not need to be leading children to think it is simply the norm, part of life. It is a choice and that decision should not be taken away from our younger generation. What do you think? Tobi Angelica Thomas #press #who #alcohol #kids https://lnkd.in/dxCURWiH.

Is teen substance use normal? The short answer: No. But here's the thing—just because it's not "normal" doesn't mean it isn't common in some circles. That's why it's so important to talk with your teen about what they're experiencing and how they're processing it. Here's how to start the conversation: 🗣️ "Do kids at your school talk about alcohol or other drugs? How do you feel about that?" 💭 "It's normal to be curious about risky behaviors, but using substances isn't the norm for most teens. Let's talk about why staying substance-free matters." 🤔 "What would you do if someone offered you a drink or vape? Let's think through how to handle situations like that." Remind them that while they might feel pressure to fit in, the majority of teens don't use substances. Normalizing healthy, substance-free lifestyles can empower them to make good choices. 💬 Start the conversation today—your words can make all the difference. If you're not sure how to begin, send us a message for more ideas, we're here to help! #substanceuse #substancemisuse #CommunitiesTalk #SAMHSA #drugmisuse #drugpreventionresources #substanceuseprevention #underagedrinkinganddrugprevention

Global Health Experts (WHO) Reports that Teenage Alcohol Use is Accelerating A third of 11-year-olds and more than half of 13-year-olds in England have drunk alcohol - putting it first out of 44 countries. https://lnkd.in/ejHD_ySr In my research I found that social media alcohol advertising can encourage young people to drink. I discovered that some young people (underage) were drinking excessively and shown to be having a good time by behaving in a drunken manner. What they didn’t realise was, when they posted their images online, not only can they be seen by their friends but to an ‘unknown audience’ such as teachers, and other parents. In my book The Effect of Social Media on Adolescents' Mental Health and Well-Being I explain how alcohol can affect young peoples’ lives and what caregivers can do to monitor or change this happening. Available on Amazon. #teenmentalhealth #alcohol

The most troubling aspect of this article is NOT the finding that young men are engaging in high levels of excessive alcohol consumption. It’s that this finding is NOT NEW - I published a fair bit of research examining alcohol use and abuse among young adults in the 1990s and early oughts and even back then the data consistently showed that men drank more alcohol (quantity), drank more often (frequency), and drank more excessively (binge drinking). We need to stop talking like this is a new finding and start asking ourselves why nothing has changed after more than 40 years of talk about reducing excessive alcohol use, especially among young men.

Some very interesting facts and figures from Truth Initiative regarding E-Cigarette use. "While e-cigarette use prevalence has declined significantly since the heyday of JUUL — 10% of high school students reported using e-cigarettes in 2023. E-cigarette use among young people remains a concern. Thousands of flavored, high-nicotine, and relatively cheap e-cigarette products remain on the market — many of them illegally — driving youth use and nicotine addiction. Equally concerning, nearly half of young people who have ever tried e-cigarettes continue to use them, and many do so daily." FULL REPORT: https://lnkd.in/gfahyzss #ecigarettes #nicotine #hbcat #makeiteasier #healthychoices #quitsmoking

Here is a great resource to learn how to talk to you teens about alcohol and other drugs. https://lnkd.in/gJeNKq4q #Prevention #PreventionWorks #PutnamCountyNY #SaveALife #Adolescents #YouthSafety

Understanding the Teen Vaping Epidemic: A Call to Action for Employers Did you know that the use of e-cigarettes among teens has skyrocketed in recent years, leading to a public health concern that demands our attention? According to a recent Substack article by Suzette Glasner, Ph.D., over 2.5 million middle and high school students in the U.S. reported using e-cigarettes in 2022. This alarming trend poses significant health risks, including addiction and long-term respiratory issues. As employers, we have a unique opportunity to make a difference. By implementing educational programs and providing resources for substance use prevention, we can support our young employees and their families. It’s not just about promoting health and wellness; it’s about creating a supportive work environment that values the well-being of our future workforce. Let’s take proactive steps to address this issue within our organizations. Together, we can help reduce the prevalence of teen vaping and ensure a healthier future for all. #PublicHealth #TeenVaping #EmployeeWellbeing #CorporateResponsibility #HealthAndWellness Read more from Suzette Glasner, Ph.D. here: https://lnkd.in/gDzgXXAs

When someone has a problem with alcohol, the ripple effect can extend far beyond their own health. Children are often the ones most heavily impacted. This important review, published in the International Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research, looks specifically at men’s alcohol use and how it can harm the children around them. As the graphic shows, there are a range of direct impacts that can flow from drinking, including family conflict, child maltreatment, financial pressures, and exposure to violence linked to intoxication or withdrawal. That can lead to children internalising their emotional stress and an increased risk of anxiety and depression, trouble at school and behavioural and social problems. When kids live in volatile home environments and are exposed to conflict and tense family dynamics, it can be unpredictable. If you never know what’s coming next, that can set you up for a lifetime of maladaptive behaviours. This review found that children who had men in their lives who had issues with alcohol went on to have impossibly high expectations of themselves, difficulty accepting authority, and problems with intimacy and trust. You can read the full paper here: https://lnkd.in/gd6_cp5e These are complex issues and there is no simple solution, but it highlights the need to take a holistic approach to tackling alcohol misuse – one that looks not just at the individual but at the broader social drivers that influence someone’s drinking. Rather than blame or judge parents who have issues with alcohol, we need to intervene early, offering accessible support before problems escalate. If you or someone you care about is looking for judgement-free, evidence-based peer support to help change unhealthy drinking patterns, you can join our Daybreak community here: https://lnkd.in/gjcdJpGn Thank you to Cassandra Hopkins, Siri Håvås Haugland, Tom Greenfield, Ilona Tamutiene, Siri Hettige and Anne-Marie Laslett for the insights in this review. #alcoholresearch #harmreduction #aod

Adulting isn't easy, but CBD helps! 🌿✨ From paying bills to keeping plants alive, adulting can be a real struggle. 😅 But hey, a little CBD can go a long way in keeping those stress levels in check! 🧘♂️🧘♀️ Anyone else find themselves adulting a little better with some CBD magic? #CBDLife #AdultingWins #StressRelief #LifeHack #GenZProblems What's your funniest adulting fail? Share in the comments below! Let's laugh about it together. 😂👇

As parents, discussing the dangers of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs with your children can be challenging, but it's crucial for their safety and well-being. Our blog post provides practical advice to help you navigate this important conversation. Here are the top tips: Begin Early 🌱: Start the conversation when your children are young to normalize the topic and encourage open dialogue. Stay Calm 😌: Avoid overreacting to their questions or disclosures to maintain a safe and trusting environment. Be Honest and Stick to the Facts 📚: Provide age-appropriate, factual information rather than scare tactics. Discuss Family Expectations and Rules 🏡: Clearly communicate your family's stance on substance use and the consequences of breaking these rules. Lead by Example 👨👩👧👦: Model the behavior you want to see in your children. For a more detailed guide and additional tips, read the full blog post here: https://lnkd.in/eTvYmCPX At Wellview Counseling, we are here to support you and your family in fostering healthy, open communication. If you need further assistance, our child therapists are ready to help. #WellviewCounseling #ChildTherapy #ParentingTips #MentalHealth #SubstanceUsePrevention #FamilyWellness