This is a sponsored post. However, all points of view are 100% my own. This is a very important issue close to my heart. #optummentalhealth
photo credit: Chi King
Did you hear about the recent study that was just released that compared kids who were bullied by their peers, to children who were abused by adults, have a greater risk of mental health problems as adults.
Both types of abuse are wrong, but the peer-to-peer bullying really struck a chord with me.
I have personally experienced cyber bullying. It not only hurts the individual, but an entire family. But because of this experience, I now have a platform to share with other parents and teens about how to navigate through a cyberbullying situation.
Unfortunately, teasing is often part of growing up — almost every child experiences it. But it isn’t always as innocuous as it seems. Words can cause pain. According to the same bullying study, children can suffer long term psychological effects as a result of being bullied. Therefore, bullying in ANY form is not acceptable and has to be addressed straight on.
That’s why the San Diego County Suicide Prevention Council and Optum San Diego are offering FREE QPR Suicide Prevention training and Youth Mental Health First Aid courses.
They are offering the following two training seminars this week only!
1. QPR Suicide Prevention Training (1 Hour)
Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR): three simple steps that anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. Each year thousands of Americans attend QPR to learn how they can help save the life of a friend, colleague, sibling, or neighbor.
Date/Time:Thursday, April 30th at 10 a.m. / 12 p.m. / 5 p.m
Cost: No Charge
Location: Malcolm X Library | 5148 Market Street | San Diego, CA 92114
Details and Registration: Contact Lora Cayanan at [email protected] or (858) 609-7971
2. Youth Mental Health First Aid (8 Hours)
This course is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12 to 18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders.
Date/Time: Friday, May 1st from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: No Charge
Location: NAMI San Diego | 5095 Murphy Canyon Road, Suite 320 | San Diego, CA 92123
Details and Registration: Contact Optum San Diego at [email protected] or (619) 641-6355
To learn more and register for one of these courses, please visit www.OptumHealthSanDiego.com.
Together we can make a difference in the life of a child!
Jilleen