The Youth Council - Nashua, NH

For World Kindness Month, Fairgrounds MS Student Assistance Program Counselor Brittney Decelle collaborated with the 8th grade counselor on advisory activities for students each week and posted this kindess wall. Last week during advisory, students wrote positive affirmations or notes on to post under "Take what you need, Leave what you can.”

If you're like us, just reading "stress awareness" brings on sweaty palms and butterflies. But in our day-to-day lives, many of us don't even notice our stress levels or realize how much it can impact our mental and physical health, productivity, moods and more.

Mindfulness is just one tool our team of school-based and community-based supportive counselors use with youth and teens to build their stress management toolboxes. It can be as simple as pausing for a few breaths before a stressful situation, or as routine as building a daily meditation practice to strengthen your mental muscles and prevent stress from building up. What can you do today to reduce your stress?

Have you checked out The Partnership at Drug Free NH's website lately? It's filled with informative resources, like this recent blog post exploring the intersection between youth mental health and substance use.

Nurturing Youth Mental Health: A Critical Perspective on Substance Use - The Partnership October 10 is World Mental Health Day. With a strong intersection between mental health and substance use, learn resources and insights to support youth.

Closing out Red Ribbon Week with beautiful designs by the students of Amherst Street Elementary School. The week focuses on substance use prevention awareness and encouraging young people to lead healthy, drug-free lives.

Student Assistance Program Counselor Brittney Decelle and Fairgrounds Middle School staff are raising awareness about the dangers of substance misuse this Red Ribbon Week.

Student Assistance Program Counselor Tori Cronin handed out candy with school faculty at Amherst Street Elementary’s Trunk or Treat.

We have many kinship caregivers in Greater Nashua raising nieces, nephews, grandchildren and more. Step Up Parents is an incredible resource supporting these special families.

These are the adorable grandchildren of Katherine, a kinship caregiver. Katherine took guardianship of the two kids, ages two and three, due to their parents' struggle with substance use disorder. Both kids were seriously impacted by their parents' battle with addiction and have special needs.

Step Up Parents helped Katherine pay her utility bill and provided her with gas cards. This is her story:

"Being awarded guardianship was the greatest thing of all. The hardest part is the fact that they both have high special needs. Our daily life is not only loving and fun, but it is also very challenging and stressful. But it is definitely very well worth it knowing that I am providing a safe, stable home so that they can at least have some chance of succeeding in the future."

Kinship caregivers, the children they stepped up to raise, and the loved ones in their lives who struggle with substance use disorder are all fighting a battle — and it's not always apparent on the outside. You never know what someone might be dealing with at home or internally, and simple acts of kindness can go an incredibly long way to brighten someone's life.

Learn how to share your story of recovery in the community to bring awareness, reduce stigma, and advocate for change!

Free NAMI In Our Own Voice Training
Self-Paced Online + Zoom on Sat. 10/21

To register or learn more, contact Rebecca at [email protected]

Free Su***de Prevention Webinar!
Wed. 9/27, 5:30-7 pm
Register for Zoom link: tinyurl.com/SPSept27

Connect Su***de Prevention: Reducing Risk, Reinforcing Protection, and Promoting Resilience

For 24/7 help: https://www.naminh.org/crisis-lines/

ONLINE Class Starts October 7th!
Register at: tinyurl.com/NAMIBasics2023

NAMI Basics is a free, six-session program designed for parents and other family caregivers of children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral difficulties.

Did you know? The 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline supports people through all kinds of emotional problems—not just thoughts of su***de. By calling, texting, or chatting, anyone can connect with a trained crisis counselor who is ready to support them at any time. Spread the word, it could save a life: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/988 ***dePrevention

Do you ever feel exhausted, stressed, distracted or uninspired during your day? Taking a 10 minute reset might be what your mind and body needs! Try this tip!

If someone told you using people’s pronouns could reduce mental health and su***de risk, would you care?

This quick guide can help if you’re getting used to someone’s new pronouns.

Pronouns Matter If someone told you that using people's pronouns could reduce mental health and su***de risk, would you care? #Pronouns #pronounsmatter #su***deprevention #mentalhealth #ymhc Credit: @tai.draws

Bipolar disorder is not the same as the typical ups and downs every kid goes through. The mood swings are more extreme and accompanied by changes in sleep, energy level, and the ability to think clearly. Know the signs and symptoms: https://go.nih.gov/6Dt3hax.

Yesterday is gone and tomorrow hasn't started. Right now means new goals and endless possibilities. Here are some gentle reminders for the week!

Are you a senior going into public health, nursing or respiratory therapy studies? Don’t miss this 9/15 scholarship deadline!

🎓2023 Applications now being accepted for Breathe New Hampshire’s Mary C. Manning Scholarship by September 15th.

Applicants must be:
🏡 NH residents
🏫 Enrolled in an undergrad or graduate program
Pursuing a degree in:
😷 Public Health
🩺 Nursing
🫁 Respiratory Therapy

Learn more and apply online:
https://www.breathenh.org/resources/scholarship

If you are feeling anxious try this self-care!

NAMI NH offers the NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program free of charge to participants.

The Monday session will begin virtually on September 25th, 6:00-8:30pm.
Registration is required:
Contact Norma: 603-882-6771 | [email protected] or
Kathie: 603-661-6559 | [email protected]

Thursday evening classes start September 14th from 6:00-8:30pm. Class 1 (Sept. 14) and class 9 (Nov. 9) will be held in person in Concord, NH. Classes 2-8 will be held virtually via Zoom.
Registration is required.
Contact Nancy Hollinshead: (631) 987-3063.

Check out this great story about a program making a difference in the lives of Nashua youth impacted by the opioid crisis.

A New Hampshire where children can thrive - NH Charitable Foundation A New Hampshire where children can thrive Camp Mariposa Nashua, run by the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua, helps lessen that burden for children whose young lives have been deeply affected by a family member’s substance misuse. By Lois R. Shea, Senior Writer and Communications Officer  | ....

Half of all people likely get mental illness in their lifetime, study finds About half of the world's population "can expect to develop" at least one type of mental disorder by the time they are 75 years old, according to a new study published in the scientific journal The Lancet Psychiatry. Why it matters: The number of Americans experiencing mental health challenges has r...

Be creative and keep moving! Here are some activities you can do with kids.

Nashua’s Acadia Gelineau thought the Girl Scouts should have a program to help teach girls coping skills—so she created one.

Acadia Gelineau of Nashua earns Girl Scouting’s highest honor with her program NASHUA -- While stress and anxiety have always been a part of growing up, during the COVID-19 pandemic those feelings were intensified. Children were cut off from their friends and

What a great night at Nashua Police Department and Nashua PAL’s National Night Out at Greeley Park! We love connecting with the community.

Be Mindful Now by using some of these tips!

Congratulations to TYC board member Alyssa O’Mara on her new role with the The Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce!

We have expanded! We are so happy to announce Alyssa O'Mara has joined our team as the Programs Manager. Please help us as we welcome Alyssa to the Chamber staff.

Kudos to our community partner, Marguerite's Place, Inc., for their work in introducing social and emotional learning to our youngest community members.

The days can get busy but pausing at the end of the week to check in with yourself is a great way to take care of yourself! Here is a tip to practice!

Breathing exercises are a healthy way to relax and be in the moment. Here are some tips to practice with your kids!

Thoughts can sometimes keep your mind busy and cloud your decision-making. Here are 3 tips to catch an unhelpful thought!