Talkin’ it Out

April 19, 2023 @ 12:30 PM

Talkin’ it Out with NC Division of Health and Human Services & Department of Public Instruction

Talkin’ it Out about the implementation of the Unified School Behavioral Health Action Plan. North Carolina teachers are facing the growing challenge of supporting their students with social, emotional, and mental health needs, and in 2022, 68% reported that these needs had increased from a typical school year.

The North Carolina Unified School Behavioral Health Action Plan offers an opportunity to support these needs and address the gaps in existing resources. Through investment in schools and by strengthening the connection to community-based services, the Action Plan aims to prioritize investments with the greatest potential impact on North Carolina students. Studies have shown that youth are six times more likely to complete evidence-based treatment when offered in schools, and this initiative hopes to expand access to those opportunities.

April 11, 2023 @ 12:00 PM

Talkin’ it Out with Connections Academy Parents Just Don’t Understand

Join us to help bridge the gap of communication between young people and the parenting community of parents, teachers, guardians and trusted adults.

Hear from middle school students of what they believe parents/educators are not understanding. The educators of Connections Academy, Raleigh will join in the conversation to discuss their roles in having substance use prevention conversations with the students. These direct insights may assist with keeping the lines of communication open and provide information on how the parenting community can handle difficult situations.

April 4, 2023 @ 1:00 PM

Talkin’ it Out – The Role Social Media Plays in Influencing Underage Drinking & What Adults Can Do

Studies show that posting alcohol-related content on social media is associated with high rates of alcohol consumption, cravings which can lead to alcohol addiction. (WHEREAS the level of excessive drinking in North Carolina has remained relatively the same based on measurements made from 2012-2021 and 90% of excessive drinkers are not alcohol dependent. Source). A growing body of research also suggests that these messages may be powerful enough to influence a person’s drinking habits. Students who view their friends’ alcohol-infused posts are likely to drink more themselves and to post more alcohol-related content, which, in turn, causes others in their network to do the same. We can reverse these trends through education and effective conversations.

Talk it Out NC Program Coordinator, Rodney Poole, will take a look at the influence that social media messages have on underage drinking and the current trends that it appears to be driving. Rodney will also highlight ways adults can have effective conversations with young people to prevent unhealthy behavior.

Presenter Description

Rodney Poole comes to the Education Outreach Division of the ABC Commission with an extensive history of spreading the word about the dangers of underage substance abuse. He holds a B.A degree in psychology from Shaw University and has been in long term recovery for the past twenty-nine years. After college, he taught middle school and has worked with at-risk youth for the bulk of his career. Rodney has worked as an international substance abuse prevention speaker for the past ten years. His work with students, teachers, and parents has taken him to Dubai, Qatar, Singapore, Mumbai, New Delhi, Viet Nam, Laos, Thailand, Nairobi and all over the U.S. He is truly committed to reducing underage drinking in the state of North Carolina.

March 23, 2023 @ 2:00 PM

Talkin’ it Out About Burnout

Do you know someone struggling with burnout? In this informative webinar, you’ll learn tips and strategies to help better handle stressful situations and feelings. Our presenter, Jessica DeShong, will discuss how to recognize the signs of burnout, how to support your children, and what tools to use to help relax and find balance. With practical advice, simple tools, and a supportive atmosphere, you’ll walk away with confidence and know how to make your child’s life less overwhelming. Join us to learn how to help navigate burnout!

Presenter Description

Jessica DeShong is the host of the Look for the Good Project’s Wiggle Warrior Program, a program dedicated to helping children lead positive and fulfilling lives. The program works to provide children with empowering mental health programs that help build self-confidence and foster kindness. These programs offer various activities designed to foster resilience, communication, self-expression, and a sense of connectedness with others. Through the Wiggle Warrior Program, Jessica is helping children understand their own strengths, allowing them to develop more positive mental health and ultimately leading them to healthier and happier lives.

February 17, 2023 @ 2:00 PM

FAITH / FAMILY / FACTS: Talkin’ it Out with Trae & Ray

Parents have an effective and handy tool for talking to their children about not drinking alcohol underage, their faith. Whatever your faith is, whether it’s strong, weak, commonplace or rare, faith can be a source of encouragement, inspiration, humility and confidence for you to talk out the big “life items” with your child.

Presenter Descriptions

Ray Beale is a native of Concord, North Carolina. She was first called to work for the emotional and spiritual well-being of families when she was a high school teacher turned youth minister. Ray is a graduate of NCSU and holds a Master of Divinity from Duke Divinity School. Her Doctor of Ministry focused on predictive factors of emotional and spiritual growth, wellness and maturity.

Ray serves as Associate Pastor at The Gathering Church in Durham, NC where she is inspired by her colleagues and church members! She and Roger have been married for 31 years. They have a senior and a freshman in college.

Trae Bremer is a native of Leoti (Lee-OH-Tuh), a small town in west Kansas. He came to North Carolina via a full basketball scholarship to Campbell University. Trae’s undergraduate major is religion. Upon graduation, he went on to attend Campbell Divinity School, where he earned a Master of Divinity in 2019. While at Campbell he met his future wife Jewel, who is a veterinarian.

A gifted preacher and mentor, Trae is the student and young adult pastor at United Church in Apex, NC where he and his colleague Morgan have grown a tiny youth group into a large youth group through their competence, compassion and fun.