Here's what you need to know...

Thank you to the Mercer Island community for supporting YFS at the Annual MIYFS Breakfast!

The MIYFS Foundation funds nearly 25% of the MIYFS Department, and in partnership with the City of MI and City Council, ensures MIYFS’s critical services remain fully funded.

The MIYFS Foundation supports all YFS services including the Healthy Youth Initiative and through community support we are able to focus on prevention and strengthening protective factors that help MI youth thrive!

Oral nicotine pouches including brands such as Zyn, On! and Velo are becoming more popular with youth on Mercer Island. Oral nicotine pouches are now the second most commonly used tobacco product among middle and high school students, following e-cigarettes.

The nicotine pouches come in sweet, fruity and candy-like flavors and may give youth the misleading perception that the pouches are not harmful to their health. Flavors familiar to youth make these products more appealing to minors.

Agencies monitoring the rise of nicotine pouches like Zyn indicate that specific long-term health effects are unknown, however, we do know that youth use of nicotine in any form is unsafe. Nicotine use during adolescence can disrupt the formation of brain circuits that control attention, learning, and susceptibility to addiction. Research has shown early age of nicotine use is correlated with daily use and lifetime nicotine dependence. Nicotine use can also intensify symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Youth or parents seeking support can contact Chris Harnish, YFS School-Based Mental Health Counselor and Alcohol and Drug Intervention Specialist at MIHS.

Join us for the second workshop of the PARENT LAB series to learn how to create opportunities for connecting with your child/teen, gain skills to improve communication, and strengthen your relationship so both your needs and your child’s/teen’s needs are met.

The PARENT LABS are based on MIYFS's parentingmercerisland.org tools. The interactive PARENT LABS are in-person meetings and are facilitated by YFS school-based mental health counselors and staff. 

PARENT LAB #2: Connection & Communication

• Elementary: February 27, 6:30-8PM, West Mercer Elementary Library
• High School: March 6, 6:30-8PM, MIHS Library

(Parents of Middle School students - if you missed the program at IMS earlier this month, you can join us at the MIHS program. The content is very similar and will be helpful as your adolescent/teen grows and develops!)

Visit the Healthy Youth Initiative webpage for the full schedule and to register for the Parent Lab workshops that align with your child's age. All Mercer Island parents and caregivers are invited to attend these free programs.

Gun injuries are the leading cause of death for children and teens. Safe gun storage is an effective way to protect our youth.

Gun deaths and injuries are considered a public health crisis, and research shows the most effective way to prevent an unintentional shooting is to make sure firearms are securely stored.

Consider the following statistics:

• 44% of Americans have at least one gun in their home.
• 63% of gun owners have at least one gun in their home never locked up (2020).
• 40% of gun owners have at least one gun loaded and accessible.
• Among children & youth under 18, over 80% of firearm suicides involved a gun belonging to a family member.
• Almost half of school shooters stole the gun from a family member.

(Source: Reducing Gun Deaths & Injuries: A Social Marketing Approach, Nancy R. Lee)

For parents of younger kids, ensure your child's safety by asking the adult about firearms in the home prior to a playdate. It's as simple as asking "Do you have an unlocked gun in your home?" For more information view these tips from Harvard Medical Center.

Visit King County's Lock It Up Program for information about how to securely store your firearms.