WELCOME TO B-PEN!

​​Brookline Parent Education Network helps parents navigate the social, emotional and developmental challenges affecting Brookline's teens and pre-teens. B-PEN collaborates with the Public Schools of Brookline and PTO's to facilitate parent connections with:

• other parents
• school and town resources
• helpful information via written/electronic materials on a wide variety of teen concerns​

WHAT'S NEW?

DON'T FORGET THE FRIES!
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, which provides a timely opportunity to talk to our adolescents about respect and consent. Check out the “Healthy Relationships” page, and reinforce the importance of consent in relationships via the FRIES mnemonic.

WHAT JUNIOR PARENTS NEED TO KNOW
Junior year presents a unique set of challenges and stressors for students and parents alike. B-PEN and the PTO presented Dr. Deborah Offner, a clinical psychologist specializing in adolescent development and student mental health to offer helpful parenting strategies for supporting students as they begin planning for life after high school. Peer Leaders shared their perspectives on what students found helpful, and a short video featured BHS guidance counselors offering their reassuring insights into the junior year experience.
Check out the Parent Update for key takeaways. (Dr. Offner's slide deck here.)
THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES OF SOPHOMORE YEAR
The “The Unique Challenges of Sophomore Year” addressed differences between sophomore and freshman year, with mental health counselor Kelly Miller illuminating developmental changes in the still-developing, often over-emotional and impulsive brain, suggesting ways parents can best communicate with and support their teens through the year. Read the Parent Update of key takeaways and resources here.

            WHAT TO DO IN A CRISIS
When your child is in the throes of a crisis, whether from drug overdose,  domestic/relationship violence, alcohol poisoning, or mental health issues, it can be hard to know what to do. Where do you go for help? Who can you call? What are the protocols? This printable tip sheet can help!

​The Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line (BHHL) is a 24/7 free resource that links children, adolescents, adults, and families to a variety of mental health services and resources. This includes immediate access to crisis intervention, linking families to urgent mental health care, helping families access a range of mental health and substance use services, and helping families address needs related to transportation, childcare, housing, and food. Anyone can call, chat, or text 833.773.2445 to get support for themselves or another person (they have translation services available in 200 languages).

LOOKING FOR A LOW-COMMITMENT WAY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
Are you up for a fun, low-commitment, big impact way to volunteer at BHS this year? Join B-PEN's parent advisory committee. You’ll get a chance to meet other parents and offer your concerns and insight into B-PEN's work. We meet four times a year, and your input is always appreciated! Reach out to [email protected] 

YOUTH RISK BEHAVIOR REVEALED
The Public Schools of Brookline MA’s latest Youth Risk Behavior Survey reveals some telling trends and data about our students’ mental health, substance use, relationships, and physical health. You can read the Data Summary and Trends Report here.
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​PARENT FOLLOW-UP & RECORDING FOR TWEENS & TEENS: NAVIGATING SCREENS 
Dr. Michael Rich's (“The Mediatrician”)  presentation on raising tweens and teens in the digital age offered strategies for healthy ways to engage with interactive media and technology. Read the parent follow-up of key takeaways. You can also watch the video here.

STUDENT & FAMILY RESOURCES 
B-PEN offers informative resource lists to help students and families. Also, B-PEN’s Facebook page is an excellent source for current ideas and resources  to maintain productive, balanced family life as we continue to adjust to ever-shifting norms. Let us know your concerns -- how can we help?
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KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
If anyone in your family or community is concerned about immigration issues, this brochure lays out some important basic info. For information in additional languages, go to the website for MIRA (Massachusetts Immigration and Refugee Advocacy Coalition.)
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7 WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR TEEN FROM ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS
The Massachusetts Department  of Public Health has put together an excellent Parent's Guide that is chock full of facts, helpful information, resources, conversation tips, and strategies for helping youth make smart decisions regarding alcohol and other drug use. You can read and/or download it here.

Alcohol and Substance Use Issues 
For those struggling with alcohol, marijuana and other drug use, self-medicating with substances can be a common a way to deal with the depression and anxiety. This list of resources can assist families in accessing help with substance abuse concerns.

Worth Checking Out...
 * BHS Peer Leaders talk about "Our New Online World"

​*Resources for Talking About Race
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*Expert's Tips for Safe Teen Behavior
 
* Teens and Situational Awareness
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​*Resources for Talking About Race     ​​

SMALL CONVERSATIONS MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE
When it comes to issues of concern, from healthy relationships to substance use, lots of brief, more casual conversations can be more effective than ‘THE BIG TALK.’ Here’s a great, short primer on getting the ball rolling… https://www.samhsa.gov/talk-they-hear-you/parent-resources/small-conversations and another to help with outlining goals … https://www.samhsa.gov/talk-they-hear-you/parent-resources/five-conversation-goals

Need Advice?
​Brookline’s Public Health social workers in Rm. 149 at BHS offer families a safe, confidential source of advice and information. Three short videos show what they can offer:
Working with Teens  
Student Depression and Anxiety  
Prevention
Call (617-713-5149) or write Abby Dean ([email protected])​