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Greetings!
In May 2009, following the first of several tragedies that impacted our community, ACS staff gathered and asked, "What else can we do???" Providing critical social-emotional support on and off campus to teens and families was our first priority, but as an agency we felt there was something more we could do to help the community. ACS had hosted many educational opportunities for the public before, but we all agreed it was time to step away from always talking about the "safe" issues and breach topics that were important yet uncomfortable to talk or hear about. It was at that moment that ACS decided it was time to break the stigma surrounding many issues that teens are experiencing and discuss them head on. Teenage depression, substance abuse, sexuality, bullying, stress...these are the issues affecting today's teens. In June 2009, Adolescent Counseling Services (ACS) held its very first Breaking the Stigma forum on the topic of Teenage Depression and over 500 people came looking for answers, asking questions, and wanting to learn more about how to help their kids thrive during the turbulent years of adolescence.
Two years later, at ACS we still think it is important to invite teens, parents, families, and community members to break the stigma and talk about these very important issues. I hope you will join us for the three Breaking the Stigma forums scheduled for this school year covering difficult topics like teen substance use, self-esteem, and leaving the nest (for both parents and teens). We encourage you and your family to learn more about these issues and to talk openly about them.
Join ACS at our first forum of the school year. November's forum will shed light on teen substance abuse- a topic that is often considered taboo. From drug and alcohol teen trends to signs of substance abuse, both parents and teens will have the opportunity to ask and discuss questions. For more information about the event
click here for our event flyer. 
Best regards,
Dr. Philippe Rey
Executive Director |
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Teens Using Nutmeg to Get High
By Connie Mayer, LMFT. Director of Outpatient Counseling Services.
Today's household contains many common products that teens can experiment with to receive a quick, easy, and inexpensive "high". Every day at ACS I hear stories of the newest ways teens and adults are attemping to change their state of consciousness. The invention of YouTube and Facebook can show teens how to obtain these products and use them.
One of the latest to come to our attention at ACS is the cooking spice nutmeg. Nutmeg or Nutmeg oil is derived from plants belonging to the genus Meristic. Nutmeg is the seed of the plant. This spice to is smoked swallowed and sniffed. The side effects of Nutmeg can be very unpleasant and highly toxic if taken in large quantities leading to poisoning, hospitalization or even death in some rare cases. Some of the side effects are nausea and vomiting, heart palpitations, hallucinations, body aches, and depression.
It's difficult for parents to know what teens are doing when we aren't there to supervise them but there are warning signs that parents can watch for in their teens
- Drop in grades across the board
- Sudden change in social group
- Lack of interest in activities
- Isolation in room
- Hygiene changes
- Changes in sleeping, eating and other daily routines
If your teen displays several of these behaviors or red flags it would be helpful to talk to a professional about his or her mental health.
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School Refusal Behaviors
By Christina Walker, Psy.D., Site Director at Menlo-Atherton High School
"I don't want to go to school today." Is there a parent who hasn't heard this plaintive cry from a child or adolescent? Children and teenagers can and will miss school because of illness, or because of family issues. However, there are times when saying, "I don't want to go to school today. I think I'm coming down with a Math test." may be a more accurate reflection of a child or adolescent's motivation for staying out of school. Children and adolescents can produce highly
convincing, Oscar worthy performances replete with a hand to the forehead, holding one's stomach all while in a raspy
voice describing a list of aches and pains that would prevent school attendance. Can you recall Shel Silverstein's poem Sick? The intervention for the child's long list of maladies keeping her from school was the prescription of 'Saturday', which can have amazingly miraculous effects on a plethora of aches and pains for children...as well as adults. Some researchers (Evans, 2000) have actually noted that it is part of typical development to refuse school at least once during the school career. However, the seemingly innocuous wish to stay home can quickly transform into a serious situation when a child refuses to go to school for extended periods of time. This pattern of behavior is termed School refusal.
To read the full article visit our blog |
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| Upcoming Events
Breaking the Stigma Forums
Teenage Substance Use
November 10, 2011
7pm - 8:30pm
PAC Cafeteria at Menlo-Atherton High School
Self-Esteem
February 9, 2012
7pm - 8:30pm
La Entrada Middle School
Leaving the Nest
May 10, 2012
7pm - 8:30pm
Location TBA
Breakfast with ACS
Join ACS for breakfast and learn more about our programs and get the latest on teen issues. This event is free but space is limited. Please RSVP to events@acsteens.org specifying which date you would like to attend.
- December 7, 2011, 8am-9:30am at ACS
- May 2, 2012, 8am-9:30am at ACS
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Spring Sounds
Celebrate Mediterranean style at ACS' annual fundraising gala, Spring Sounds! Join us on Saturday, March 24, 2012 at Club Illusions in Palo Alto for an evening of delightful entertainment, delectable foods, fabulous auction and drawing items, and a w hole lot of fun - all in support of ACS and our three programs! More info to follow. | |
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1717 Embarcadero Rd. Ste. 4000Palo Alto, CA 94303 |
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