Blog · May 19, 2016
This week is National Prevention Week, and Wagner has enjoyed participating in the SAMHSA "I Choose" initiative by exploring his own backyard. Be sure to check Facebook and Twitter to keep up with all the places he’s visited!
We’d also like to take a moment to address this year’s theme for National Prevention Week: “Strong As One. Stronger Together.” With the release of the revised Too Good for Drugs for High school right around the corner, the challenges of adolescence have been on our mind. During the teen years, it can at times prove trying to develop inner strength alone. Self-aware and socially aware teens are better prepared to forge solid and meaningful relationships with their peers and are more resistant to negative peer pressure and influence.
Differentiating between healthy and unhealthy relationship qualities emboldens teens to choose their social circles wisely. These relationship networks often become a key piece of the foundation for how teens perceive and interact with the world around them. Teens who build healthy relationships bolster themselves with a strong support network that will offer positive peer influence when they are faced with difficult decisions. Educators, community members, and parents can all help students identify and develop healthy relationships by acting as role models themselves and by teaching and reinforcing essential social emotional skills.
Teens who are relationship savvy and socially and emotionally equipped will be “strong as one” and “stronger together” as they embark on the road to successful futures. We know Wagner would agree!