On a Mission

This episode is dedicated to Eating Disorder Awareness Week, from February 26th to March 3rd. In this insightful session, we shine a light on the often-hidden world of eating disorders, exploring the complex mental health conditions that affect individuals and families worldwide. With a focus on hope and recovery, we delve into the signs of eating disorders, practical ways to offer support, and the invaluable resources available in the USA, including the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) and the Academy for Eating Disorders (AED).

Whether you're seeking to understand more about these conditions, looking for ways to support a loved one, or navigating your own journey toward recovery, this episode is a beacon of knowledge, compassion, and encouragement. We cover everything from recognizing early warning signs and changes in behavior to the importance of professional help and the power of patient, supportive care.

Join us as we unite to spread awareness, promote understanding, and foster an environment where recovery from eating disorders is not just a possibility but a reality. This is more than just a podcast episode—it's a step towards change, understanding, and hope for countless individuals. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of a meaningful conversation during Eating Disorder Awareness Week. Listen, learn, and let's make a difference together.

Attempting to stop your teenager from having a romantic relationship could lead to a problematic dynamic between you two in the long run.

Rather than preventing, support your teen in establishing limits and encourage positive practices from the outset, such as when they are simply engaging in hand-holding or participating in group outings. This approach ensures they are ready for more private moments with a partner when the time comes. In this episode, we'll cover ways to assist your teenager in setting suitable boundaries in their dating life.

Resources

• Love Is Respect: An invaluable resource offering advice, tools, and support to empower teens and young adults to find healthy ways to understand and navigate relationships. Available 24/7 by text (“LOVEIS” to 22522), call (866.331.9474), or live chat online.

We gain power when we take active steps to relax, even as the world seems to swirl around us. When relaxed, we maintain the presence and clarity of mind that enables us to make wise decisions and problem-solve. We prepare ourselves and our children to think clearly, even in stressful times— through active relaxation. 

In this episode, we go over a few breathing techniques to help you get into active relaxation mode. We also discuss Mindfulness exercises by Dr. Dzung Vo, you can find those videos here: https://youtu.be/iCNSDtzHgXo.

Adolescence marks a time of significant changes in physical development. It’s a time when teens question what’s happening to their bodies and what’s expected. They often compare themselves to their friends — noticing differences in height as they stand in line or their bodies as they change into gym clothes. Sometimes these changes in development can trigger both parents and teens to have concerns. Those issues can range from concerns about puberty, physical development, self-esteem, and body image.

In this episode, we will review some common concerns and issues related to physical development so you are more comfortable discussing questions and concerns.

National Adolescent Health Month™ (NAHM™) is a health observance that emphasizes the importance of building on young people’s strengths and potential, encouraging meaningful youth engagement in adolescent health activities, and highlighting key topics in adolescent health. 

• Week 1: Expand sexual and reproductive health information and services. Better information and improved access to services will help adolescents make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.

So in this episode we are going to go over 7 Tips for Youth-Supporting Professionals for Talking with Youth About Sexual and Reproductive Health provides tangible recommendations to promote effective and open conversations about sexual and reproductive health with young people.

Resources from Activate: The Center to Bring Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Research to Youth-Supporting Professionals is a partnership between Child Trends and Chapin Hall and creates research-based resources for use by professionals who support young people experiencing the child welfare and/or justice systems, homelessness, and/or disconnection from school and work (i.e., opportunity youth).

In this podcast, we go over a few things parents can do to help teens avoid online mistakes.

Resources:

• Riasing Digital Citizens - Parents Guide
• Common Sense Media
• Healthy Children
• Family Online Safety Institute
• Kelly Wallace, CNN

Research shows that parents can have a powerful impact on their childrens’ mindsets. The language you use and the actions you take show your children about what you expect. Giving process praise, talking about the brain, accepting mistakes as learning opportunities, and understanding the role of emotions in learning are all practices you can begin today.

Teen dating violence affects nearly 10% of all teenagers throughout the U.S.

We wanted to do this podcast in order to provide information and resources to help bring attention to this serious issue.

Resources:

• https://www.safesecurekids.org/
• www.loveisrespect.org
• Parent discussion guide: https://www.loveisrespect.org/wp-content/uploads/media/sites/3/2021/09/Parent-Guide-2021_TAF_love-is-respect.pdf
• www.nsvrc.org
• I ask how to teach consent early: https://www.nsvrc.org/sites/default/files/publications/2019-01/TeachHandout_508.pdf
• Healthy communications with kids: https://www.nsvrc.org/sites/default/files/2018-01/healthycommunicationwkids_508.pdf
• Parent postcard: https://www.nsvrc.org/sites/default/files/publications/2018-04/parents_FINAL508.pdf
• https://www.missionwv.org/parent-resources
• https://amaze.org/

Mission WV changes the lives of youth and families. We promote positive futures by recruiting foster families, providing life skills education and creating community connections.

Learn more about who we are and what we do in this episode.

In this episode we go over the different types of bullying, warning signs, and how to get support. 

In this episode we go over what bullying is, and how to get support. 

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood. ACEs can include violence, abuse, and growing up in a family with mental health or substance use problems. Toxic stress from ACEs can change brain development and affect how the body responds to stress. ACEs are linked to chronic health problems, mental illness, and substance misuse in adulthood. 

In this episode we go over what ACEs are, some of the impact they have on our lives, and some prevention options. 

Below are some additional resources for ACEs.

• Overview of ACEs (CDC)
• Take your ACEs test
• ACEs and Toxic Stress
• Preventing ACEs Training

Sexual assault is a severe, punishable act that should not be taken lightly. In this epside, we go over:

• What sexual assault is.
• How drugs and alcohol play a factor. 
• Red flags to watch out for. 
• What to do if you or a friend has been a victim of sexual assault.

Support Information:

• Crisis Support Lines
• Resources for Healthy Relationships
• Domestic Violence Support Information

Consent in simple terms means choosing for something to happen. The legal definition says a person gives consent when they ‘agree by choice, and have the freedom and capacity to make that choice.'

In this episode, we clearly define what consent is.

In this episode, we tell a story written by a Bridge Program Mentor, about a young man named Jackson. 

The Bridge is devoted to serving foster children in West Virginia with the vision of creating meaningful and effective support for foster children to be successful in school and beyond. When students are successful, we create wealth not only in the life of the student, but also our communities. 

So, your son or daughter lied to you. What should you do? The most important first step you can take, the one that can preserve your relationship, is to remain calm. But the ability to keep your cool and discuss this challenging moment – openly and honestly – will accomplish yet another essential goal: Make it less likely they will be dishonest with you again. 

For help repairing a fractured relationship, read Create Opportunities for Teens to Regain Trust.