Beach Cities Health District, in partnership with our Student Mental Health Provider Task Force, hosts the virtual “Talk About It” Small-Group Parent Workshop Series. This series supports families at home as they navigate distance learning and help create balance for students and parents.

During the May 7 “Talk About It” Small-Group Parent Workshop, Dr. Moe Gelbart and Dr. Donnie Watson from Thelma McMillen Center at Torrance Memorial discussed ways parents and caregivers can address both youth mental health and substance use. While COVID-19 plays a significant role in how parents and teens are interacting with each other and spending their time, the concepts discussed during the session can be applied post-pandemic as well.

Here are the top five tips for addressing youth mental health and substance use during COVID-19:

1. Establish “Rules of Engagement” in the house – clear expectations and boundaries help parents and children understand expectations and consequences. Loving a child isn’t giving them everything they want all the time.
2. Prioritize family mealtimes – some benefits of family meals include better academic performance, a greater sense of resilience and lower risk of substance use and depression.
3. Engage in compassionate conversations – we’re living in unprecedented times where many adults are struggling. Recognize that everyone processes emotions differently and let your child express themselves in their own way.
4. Be open with your child about monitoring social media and activity – this includes talking with parents of their friends and peers.
5. Be patient with yourself and your family members – families know how to push each other’s buttons because they helped install them.

Register online here for future workshops.

“Facilitating Family Connection Through Physical Activity”, Presented by Dr. Bianca Edison of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA)

• Date: Thursday, May 14
• Time: 1-2 p.m.
• Location: Virtual (Zoom)

“Mindfulness for the Family While Safer at Home”, Presented by Rachel Rush and Joanie Plake

• Date: Thursday, May 21
• Time: 1-2 p.m.
• Location: Virtual (Zoom)

“Managing Family Conflict & Creating Balance at Home”, Presented by Margot Parker, Educational Consultant

• Date: Thursday, May 28
• Time: 1-2 p.m.
• Location: Virtual (Zoom)

“Vaping and Substance Use with Clear Recovery Center”, Presented by Clear Recovery Center

• Date: Thursday, June 4
• Time: 1-2 p.m.
• Location: Virtual (Zoom)

“Supporting Your Senior: Coping with Missing Milestone Life Events”, Presented by Marina Braff, LMFT

• Date: Thursday, June 11
• Time: 1-2 p.m.
• Location: Virtual (Zoom)