
Category: Blog
Virtual Guiding Good Choices Parenting Class

Parents/Guardians must register before registration closes to receive zoom link for free online classes!
Guiding Good Choices is an evidence-based, interactive prevention program that provides families with the skills and knowledge to reduce the risk that their children will use drugs and alcohol or engage in other dangerous behaviors.
This series of 5 Zoom classes is for parents/guardians of youth ages 9 – 15 years. *Parent/guardian or child must live in Howard County.
Class Dates: Mondays February 6, 13, 20, 27, & March 6, 2023
Time: 5:00pm – 7:00pm
*Parents/guardians are expected to attend all 5 sessions, youth will attend one session.
Register today at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GGC_03, space is limited
Funded by Howard County Health Department
It is Ok to Ask for Help

Neither is correct!!! As humans we are communal beings, no one is an island. We are also a sum of many intricately interwoven parts which influence one another, take our overall well-being for instance, our emotional health impacts both our mental and physical health.
Practice mindfulness, pay attention to your thoughts, emotions, and behavior and recognize your triggers. Check up on those around you, don’t assume, ask direct questions.
Reach out for help, ask for assistance if overwhelmed by responsibilities, seek professional help if you’re thinking of harming or killing yourself. In the US dial 988 for the Crisis & Suicide Lifeline, or go to the nearest ER. Research available resources wherever you are.
There is help and there is hope, don’t suffer in silence.
P.A.C.E.S.

It’s the festive season and we are inundated with images of cheer, warmth, fun, love, and companionship. Yet for some of us it’s the most awful time of the year, with the loss of loved ones by death, divorce, and estrangement, loneliness, anxiety (especially social), depression, food and money insufficiency, homelessness, job loss, fear etc.
How do we navigate these deep waters without drowning? And if we are already submerged, how do we resurface?
P.A.C.E.S
Pause, inhale slowly-hold it for 2 seconds-exhale slowly (repeat until you feel relaxed).
Acknowledge your pain, don’t deny or ignore it.
Choose to find something to appreciate in yourself and around you.
Express your need for help to those around you and when necessary, seek professional help.
Share your resources with others, this includes your time, talent and treasure.
May you find the strength to navigate this season with grace, and to rekindle your joy.
Season’s Greetings!!
Virtual Guiding Good Choices Class

Guiding Good Choices is an evidence-based, interactive prevention program that provides families with the skills and knowledge to reduce the risk that their children will use drugs and alcohol or engage in other dangerous behaviors.
This series of 5 Zoom classes is for parents/guardians of youth ages 9 – 15 years. *Parent/guardian or child must live in Howard County.
Class Dates: Fridays January 6, 13 & 20, February 3, 10, 2023 (No class on January 27)
*Parents/guardians are expected to attend all 5 sessions, youth will attend one session.
Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Register at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GGC_02
Sponsored by Howard County Health Department
“Stressed Out? Practical Suggestions for Easing your Stress” (for college students)

Register now, space is limited! https://bit.ly/3XM5ZdZ
Date: Wednesday December 21, 2022
Time: 7pm – 8pm
Format: Virtual
Cost: Free
Registration ends on Friday December 16
Supporting your Child’s Emotional & Mental Well-being

Do you have a child or adolescent in your life? How aware are you of what they are experiencing emotionally and mentally? Do you know how to support them?
The US Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy reported in 2021 that “Even before the pandemic, an alarming number of young people struggled with feelings of helplessness, depression, and thoughts of suicide” and “the COVID-19 pandemic further altered their experiences at home, school, and in the community, and the effect on their mental health has been devastating. The future wellbeing of our country depends on how we support and invest in the next generation.”
Supporting your Child’s Emotional & Mental Well-being is an interactive virtual workshop for parents, guardians, grandparents and caregivers of children and adolescents. The session includes emotional and mental well-being checklists, common mental health conditions and their accompanying signs and symptoms, and ways to nurture and support youth emotionally and mentally. There will also be collaborative breakout sessions to discuss case studies.
Date: Thursday October 13, 2022
Time: 8:00PM ET
Format: Virtual
Register now at https://SYCEMWellbeing.eventbrite.com
Virtual Guiding Good Choices Class

Parents/Guardians must register before registration closes to receive zoom link for free online classes!
Guiding Good Choices is an evidence-based, interactive prevention program that provides families with the skills and knowledge to reduce the risk that their children will use drugs and alcohol or engage in other dangerous behaviors.
This series of 5 Zoom classes is for parents/guardians of youth ages 9 – 15 years. *Parent/guardian or child must live in Howard County.
Class Dates: Fridays October 21 & 28, November 4, 11 & 18
*Parents/guardians are expected to attend all 5 sessions, youth will attend one session.
Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Register at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GGC_Reg2

For more information: Email [email protected]
Sponsored by Howard County Health Department
Register today for Supporting your Teen’s Emotional & Mental Well-being Workshop
Do you have a child or adolescent in your life? How aware are you of what they are experiencing emotionally and mentally? Do you know how to support them?
The US Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy reported in 2021 that “Even before the pandemic, an alarming number of young people struggled with feelings of helplessness, depression, and thoughts of suicide” and “the COVID-19 pandemic further altered their experiences at home, school, and in the community, and the effect on their mental health has been devastating. The future wellbeing of our country depends on how we support and invest in the next generation.”
Supporting your Teen’s Emotional & Mental Well-being is an interactive Zoom session for parents, guardians, grandparents and caregivers of children and adolescents. The session includes emotional and mental well-being checklists, common mental health conditions and their accompanying signs and symptoms, and ways to nurture and support youth emotionally and mentally. There will also be collaborative breakout sessions to discuss case studies.
Date: Monday September 5, 2022
Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM ET
Format: Zoom
Cost: $50
Register today at https://SYTEMWellbeing.eventbrite.com
Virtual Guiding Good Choices Class

Register today for Virtual Guiding Good Choices Class (series of 5 parenting classes). Parents/Guardians must register before registration closes to receive zoom link for free online classes!
Guiding Good Choices is an evidence-based, interactive prevention program that provides families with the skills and knowledge to reduce the risk that their children will use drugs and alcohol or engage in other dangerous behaviors.
This series of 5 Zoom classes is for parents/guardians of youth ages 9 – 15 years. *Parent/guardian or child must live in Howard County.
Class Dates: Fridays August 19 & 26, September 2, 9 & 23 (*No class on September 16)
*Parents/guardians are expected to attend all 5 sessions, youth will attend one session.
Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Register at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GGC_Reg

For more information: Email [email protected]
Sponsored by Howard County Health Department.