Youth Eastside Services Lifeline Online
February 2013 

Love Shouldn't Hurt 

Prevent Teen Dating Violence

 

On February 14, we celebrate Valentine's Day, a day for love and roses and chocolates and time spent with special people in our lives. Kids bring home handmade cards, teenagers surprise each other at lunchtime and adults walk around just a little bit giddy.

 

However, sometimes love isn't always expressed in joyful ways. Much too often, it is manifested in a form of abuse. As a stark reminder to Valentine's Day, February is also recognized as Teen Dating Violence (TDV) Prevention and Awareness Month. Across the country, individuals and organizations are talking about ways to prevent TDV.

 

At Youth Eastside Services, we provide a weekly opportunity to prevent TDV. Our free "Love, etc." program for young people ages 16 to 21 focuses on real talk about teen dating relationships, including physical and emotional safety, empowerment, processing emotions and more. This drop-in group meets for 90 minutes each week in an Eastside location and is completely confidential. For details, contact the group leader via email or by phone at 425.747.4937.

 

We also offer RESPECT, which stands for Relationship Equality & Safety: Peers Educating Community Teens." RESPECT is a co-ed group of teens trained to educate their friends about preventing and recognizing dating violence. Go to  RESPECT to learn how your teen can be a peer educator.

 

Additional resources:

Recognizing an Abusive Relationship

What Does Teen Dating Violence Look Like?

10 Warning Signs of Abuse

In the News
Important information you want to know 

With the legalization of marijuana in Washington state, there has been a lot of talk about the effects of cannabis. Synthetic marijuana also continues to be a concern. Read about one teen who narrowly escaped death after smoking synthetic marijuana, packaged as "potpourri," purchased at a gas station.

 

According to stopbullying.gov, researchers found that middle and high school students who bully their peers or are bully-victims (bully others and are also bullied) are more likely than students who aren't involved in bullying to use alcohol, cigarettes and marijuana. The study appears in Addictive Behaviors.

 

Sad teen The largest in-depth analysis of teens on the subject of suicide concludes that one in eight American teens has had suicidal thoughts. One of every 25 has attempted suicide. According to Dr. Timothy Lineberry of the Mayo Clinic, "It's important to keep in mind there's a number of factors associated that are just not related to psychiatric illness, but stressors, culture, support, supports at home, supports with school and those involved with the child or adolescent."
There are two important events next month that I'd like to draw your attention to. First is Youth in Crisis, a conference on mental illness awareness sponsored by the Eastside chapter of the National Association on Mental Illness. This free event on March 9 is designed for families, mental health providers and educators. Interactive workshops will help them identify the early warning signs of mental illness, especially as it relates to lethal violence and suicide in our youth, and reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues. Go to Youth in Crisis for information and to register.

 

The second event is near and dear to my heart: the YES Invest in Youth Breakfast. 
2013 breakfast logoIt is on Tuesday, March 19, at Meydenbauer Center. Our client speakers will be joined by Christopher Kennedy Lawford, who will share his powerful journey from existing as an addict and substance abuser to thriving as an author, advocate and actor. His recent book, Recover to Live, emphasizes a belief we at YES share: change and recovery are attainable for everyone.
 

I hope you'll join me for this fundraiser that allows YES to provide uncompensated care to hundreds of Eastside youth who need help, as well as  to support underfunded programs and services. Reserve your seats now at Invest in Youth.

 

Sincerely,

  
Patti Skelton-McGougan 
Executive Director