LYNNFIELD — A Healthy Lynnfield (AHL) is wasting no time kicking off the new year.
Its Healthy Conversations, Healthy Kids series third installment, a virtual session titled, “Just Talk About It: Supporting the Mental Health of K-12 Youth,” will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 12, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Popular speaker, Jon Mattleman, who serves as the clinical director of Minding Your Mind, returns for a special parent and caregiver presentation on how to manage anxiety, optimize wellness, and keep families in balance as COVID-19 restrictions continue to change. Mattleman will be joined by Wes, a young adult and student who has struggled with anxiety.
Wes will share the story of his struggles, which began in the third grade, and how he found positive ways to manage his anxiety.
AHL said the session will offer attendees an opportunity to learn to look beyond the stigma associated with mental-health issues and also help to identify the warning signs of stress, anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
The session will offer suggestions and techniques on how to normalize having conversations early and often with your family to promote mental well-being, early recognition and intervention, and professional support. There will also be plenty of time to ask questions.
On Wednesday, Jan. 19 at 6:30 p.m., an internet safety expert and nationally-known speaker, Katie Greer, will host a virtual session via Zoom for parents and other adult members of the community to help them learn how to keep children safe on the internet.
AHL said that oftentimes parents are surprised when they find out what their kids are doing online, and are looking for ways to protect them as well as advice on which apps they need to be worried about.
“Is social networking safe? Is my child being cyberbullied? What’s texting? Sexting? What’s next?” These are some of the questions parents are asking, according to the AHL website.
AHL says that “it’s overwhelming being a parent today in our technology-driven society. Keeping up with the latest trends and dangers can often seem like an impossible task. Katie will help you navigate the digital waters and let you know what’s new, what’s now, and what’s next.”
Greer will discuss the latest trends and dangers to help parents navigate the digital waters. She will also provide tips on how to use social media in a positive way and also provide parents with proactive initiatives to keep their kids safe.
This program is for adults only. Greer will also conduct assemblies at the Lynnfield Middle School on the same day.
“This provides a good opportunity for parents and kids to continue a family discussion together about internet safety,” AHL said.
To register for this free program, go to www.ahealthylynnfield.org and click on the “news and events” tab.
