The Palo Alto Parent Teacher Student Association will host a forum on teen wellness and mental health at 7 p.m. on Nov. 19 in the Haymarket Theater
Titled “Listen, Learn, Connect: Understanding Teen Wellness and Mental Health,” the forum is meant to improve communication and understanding between teens and parents, according to PTSA Parent Education Chair Maureen Simons.
“By educating and equipping our community to be more effective in promoting wellness and good mental health we [the PTSA] believe that it can help us raise safe and healthy teens,” Simons said.
The forum will cover different topics: “the fundamentals of good parenting practices,” “stress management in a challenging environment” and “how to know when your teen needs more help,” as listed on a flyer for the event. A panel of health care professionals will lead these sections. The panel is comprised of a therapist, a child psychiatrist, and two doctors, all of whom have ties to Palo Alto.
“I consulted with numerous doctors, health educators, parents and teens to get an idea of what content was most appropriate,” Simons said. “I also met with the Paly administration and what appeared to be most valuable was a ‘broad spectrum’ approach to wellness. I then looked for people with particular expertise. I found a psychologist, a child psychiatrist, an M.D. who specializes in stress management techniques, and an internist who trains physicians on how to assess and promote wellness.”
The panel includes Gloria Moskowitz-Sweet a licensed therapist and the coordinator of community education at Parents Place a family resource center in Palo Alto along with Tom Tarshis, a child psychiatrist and founder of the Bay Area Children’s Association as well as a member of the HEARD Coalition which aims to address teen suicides. Meg Durbin, a pediatrician and internist at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation and Amy Saltzman, who runs a private practice in Palo Alto and teaches children and adults on individual mindfulness, complete the panel.
The session has allotted time for question and answer after the panel speaks. Students are welcome to attend the presentation.
This forum is a part of the PTSA’s attempt to better the health and happiness of Palo Alto students. The PTSA hosted a forum on substance abuse on Nov. 12, and will host Lloyd Thacker from the Education Conservancy to talk about the college application process in February.
“One of the PTSA’s chief goals is to improve the education, health and welfare of our children, youth and communities,” Simons said. “The message to teens should be very clear. The adults here care very deeply for every child in the community.”