Nyack Public Schools

 The message remains the same PARENTS ARE ONE OF A CHILD'S MOST IMPORTANT TEACHERS!

Today more than ever there is a huge focus on social emotional development.  According to a featured article in Promoting a Positive School Climate, "Social and emotional development builds the "soft skills" that are important for success in school and beyond." When youth are encouraged to build and practice things like learning to express feelings/emotions, develop relationships and communicate with others, it is key to  helping them find positive solutions to problems, and making healthy safe choices.  It is a foundation for wellness, adulthood and being in a healthy environment. 

In the prevention of youth substance use I rely on the definition of wellness provided by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to guide my work. 

                                     Wellness can be a conscious, deliberate process that requires awareness of/ and making choices for a more satisfying lifestyle. Wellness is not merely the absence of disease, illness and stress, but the presence of the eight dimensions listed in the diagram. 

The focus this month is on Emotional Wellness and National Recovery.  Emotional wellness helps to understand and accept one's feelings, without the urge to escape through substances or other wounding behaviors.  National Recovery Month was first declared in 1989. It started as an "effort to honor not only the work of healthcare professions in the substance disorder field, but to draw attention to the work of individuals suffering from substance use disorder.  In 2011, it was transformed to include healthcare professionals and segments of behavioral health in addition to educating Americans on mental health and substance disorders.  It is also a way to celebrate the work of individuals in recovery along with providing support to affected families and patients.

Emotional well-being is one of the four major dimensions that support recovery. According to American Addictions Center Emotional Wellness in Recovery Guide being aware of and reacting appropriately to different thoughts and moods can be a vital part of  living non-active[in substance use]and healthy. Accepting emotions (one's feelings) as natural and normal parts of being human adds to being able to cope with life and maintain healthy relationships.

National Recovery Month is for everyone.  Additional information and resources are available at Rockland Council on Alcoholism & Other Drug Dependence (https://www.rcadd.org/home-rockland-council-alcoholism-drug-dependence-rcadd-org-2/recovery-support-services-rockland-council-alcoholism-drug-dependence-rcadd-org-2/ ).

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