Belmont Wellness Coalition

On September 20, Lisa and Wendy provided parents with an understanding of the Massachusetts Social Host Liability Law (concerning the liability of allowing drug/alcohol use) as well as an overview of the impacts of youth substance misuse and the risk/protective factors of experimenting with substances. They also discussed “refusal skill” strategies that caregivers can practice with their teens.

On October 23, Dr. Kevin Hill joined BWC and community members to discuss youth vaping habits regarding the use of both nicotine and cannabis. Dr. Hill shared relevant information about the tobacco industry, the health effects of nicotine and marijuana and prevention and treatment strategies for caregivers.

Click here to view the slides from the presentation.

If you would like to view the recording of this event, please contact Maeve.

Special thanks to the DARE board for funding this event!

On October 19, Lisa led a workshop at the Beth El Temple which offered community members guidance on the ways in which teens use cell phones, shedding light on the good and bad, the amount of time spent, typical sites they access, and most importantly - how caregivers can work with children to ensure the best outcome regarding this ubiquitous and powerful tool.

New and returning members of Belmont Wellness Coalition's youth group, Student Mental Health Advocates (previously Student Ambassadors) have begun meeting for the 2023-2024 school year. Alongside faculty advisor, Guidance Counselor, Ms. King, Maeve and students have identified several goals to improve student mental health and access to resources at BHS.

Click here to read more about SMHA goals!

If you know any BHS students interested in joining Student Mental Health Advocates, please have them fill out this form.

BWC's Parenting Group meets monthly during the academic year and offers parents a safe and supportive place to explore, discuss, and share strategies on parenting pre-teens and teens. Lisa and Maeve facilitate the group and offer guidance as well as resources related to each month's topic.

Recent topics include:

• Transitioning Back-to-School, the newly licensed, and mid-week sleepovers

• Cell Phone Surveillance, Privacy, Secrecy: What’s invasive? What’s appropriate?

Join us next on Wednesday, November 29 at 7:00 PM where we’ll be discussing:

Sharing strategies around setting parameters with our kids - and - how to get them to take responsibility for household tasks.

Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81577946616

The BWC Leadership team has been hard at work compiling the 2023 YRBS data highlights to present to the Belmont community.

We are hosting two presentations this fall:

1. School Committee/School Dept. on Tuesday, November 14 (around 7:00 PM).

2. Select Board on Monday, December 11 (around 7:30 PM).

Both events are hybrid.

BWC created and disseminated two new Tip Sheets this fall:

1. Screen Time 101 - details how youth are spending time on electronics and strategies to reduce screen time.

2. Social Media Crisis Guide - this comprehensive resource guide offers insight into potential social media crises, when and how to take action, as well as parent resources for multiple popular social media platforms.

Lisa creates bi-monthly, prevention-centered educational video segments with Mike Crowley and Matt Simonelli from the Belmont Media Center.

View the latest videos:

• Teens and Overwhelming Stress

• De-Stressing the College Application Process

• Guidance Around Vaping

• Exploring Teen Dating and Relationships - coming soon to our website.

Belmont Wellness Coalition (BWC) is a committed cross-section of Belmont parents, youth, school, town, and community representatives that work to promote healthy choices and positive decision-making among Belmont youth. BWC coordinates efforts to prevent and reduce youth substance misuse in Belmont through evidence-based education and prevention efforts. Coalition members meet monthly during the academic year.

BWC Leadership Team:

BWC Partners:

School Department

Library

Belmont Against Racism

LGBTQ+ Alliance

Belmont Welcomes

Belmont Police and Fire Departments

Belmont Human Rights Commission

Belmont Youth Commission

If you, or someone you know, wants to be involved with the Belmont Wellness Coalition, please reach out to us!

Email:

Maeve Kennelly, LSW maeve_kennelly@waysideyouth.org

Lisa Gibalerio, MPH lisa_gibalerio@waysideyouth.org

and please check out our website for lots of helpful resources: belmontwellness.org

BWC is a program of Wayside Youth & Family Support Network