Learn how to help teens navigate critical issues, at HCPS workshop

It isn’t always easy to know how to help teenagers. That’s one reason why Henrico County Public Schools will host a workshop later this month designed to help parents, guardians and educators of teens effectively advise teens on a number of critical issues they face.

“Critical Teen Issues: Workshops for Educators and Parents” will be held Nov. 30, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m., at Hermitage High School, 8301 Hungary Spring Road.

The event will include several concurrent workshops; it is structured so that attendees may choose one workshop lasting two hours or one or two workshops lasting one hour each.

The workshops are:

• More Than Sad (6-8 p.m.): Learn to recognize signs of depression and other mental health problems in teens, and how to get them help. With Shirley Ramsey of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

• Assessing and Treating Substance Use in Adolescents (6-8 p.m.): Learn the warning signs and symptoms that can indicate risk for substance use disorders, and how to talk to teens about substance use. With Barbara Burke of Family Counseling Center for Recovery.

• Eating Disorders (6-8 p.m.): Gain insight on early detection, intervention and support of children with eating disorders. With Beth Ayn Elisabeth Stansfield of Stay Strong Virginia.

• Teens and the Grief Journey (6-7 p.m.): Discuss ways to best support teens who are grieving the death of someone significant to them. With Allyson Drake of Full Circle Grief Center.

• Side by Side with LGBTQ+ Youth (6-7 p.m.): Learn about LGBTQ+ identities, risk and protective factors and how to be a supportive adult. With Ted Lewis, executive director of Side by Side.

• Building Healthy Relationships (7:15-8:15 p.m.): Get tools to promote healthy relationships with teens and help them better understand consent, cyber safety and red flags for human trafficking. With Elena Brooks-Perkins of Safe Harbor.

• The Impact of Trauma on Children and Adolescents (7:15-8:15 p.m.): Get information on how trauma in childhood and adolescence affects cognitive and social-emotional development. With Cara Jean O’Neal, HCPS school psychologist.

In addition to the workshops, visitors can talk with local community groups and check out resources in the exhibitor area beginning at 5:30 p.m. Food will be available for purchase (cash-only). In order to reserve an adequate number of rooms, parents, guardians and community members should register in advance. However, registration is not required in order to attend. Register at tinyurl.com/register-criticalteenissues.