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?

SAFE HOLIDAYS 2024
The upcoming holidays provide lots of opportunities for connecting with family and friends. But holiday celebrations can contribute to increased alcohol and marijuana consumption, and for teens on school vacation with time on their hands, it can lead to all kinds of substance use experimentation. Be aware -- Brookline students say that their number one source for obtaining alcohol and pills are from their parents’ cabinets. And with the legalization of marijuana, adolescents also may be drawn to pot under the impression that it offers a safe high. B-PEN’s “Safe Holiday Tip Sheet” at www.B-PEN.org offers  ideas on how to talk to your kids about substances and set a good example on the home front.
 
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] 

ADOLESCENT PSYCHOLOGY: THE PARENT VERSION - OCT 9 
 Joanie Geltman's popular and insightful  "Adolescent Psychology: The Parent Version" discussed adolescent development and how to navigate tricky conversations with teenagers. Check out the Parent Update with key takeaways and resource links...

PARENT UPDATE  ON THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES OF SOPHOMORE YEAR
The recent PTO/B-PEN presentation addressed the differences between sophomore and freshman year, with integration into the full school population involving new classes, social pressures, open campus, and more exposure to older kids, tricky situations, and substances (40% of BHS teens have tried marijuana by senior year). Check out  the Parent Update with key takeaways and resource links...

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).

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.

LATEST ON MARIJUANA USE IN BROOKLINE
Brookline’s 2023 Marijuana Landscape Assessment gathered and synthesized quantitative and qualitative data to understand the influence and impacts of marijuana, with a focus on youth. The goals were to understand and define the relative impacts of marijuana and other substances and identify priority areas, address health disparities, and establish intervention strategies.  You can read the executive summary and see the full 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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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
Kids are desperate to resume  social life. So how can we set reasonable limits?  
 
* Teens and Situational Awareness
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​*Resources for Talking About Race    

​TEEN SPORTS GAMBLING AN ISSUE
Teens are being drawn into sports gambling at an alarming rate, according to this article.   ​​

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])​

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
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WELLNESS SUMMIT ADDRESSES SUBSTANCE USE
The most recent Wellness Summit sponsored by B-CASA (Brookline Coalition Advocating Substance Awareness), brought together roughly 80 people from across Brookline -- from PSB teachers, staff, and students to health care professionals -- to generate ideas to prevent/delay substance experimentation and use among youth. With a focus on protective factors and evidence-based steps to reduce use, destigmatize treatment, and promote well-being, the summit generated a wealth of productive new strategies to address major concerns on issues ranging from vaping to partying and consent. A summarized report details the top findings.