Keeping Teens Drug & Alcohol Free in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Highland Park, Highwood & Riverwoods
October 2021
In this issue: The 4A's of Stress Relief | You Got This! Awareness Campaign | Mental Health Checklist | Free Webinar: Find Balance in a Digital World | Teens Inspire Change | 60 Second Conversation Starter | Volunteer Spotlight: Police Chief Walt Trillhaase
The 4A's of Stress Relief
Tips to Reboot and Rebalance

Stress is part of everyday life and can be short- lived or ongoing. Identifying sources of stress takes awareness and action. Mayo Clinic's 4 A's Toolkit can help with rebooting, rebalancing and avoiding long-term physical, emotional and mental health issues:

Avoid stress by planning, taking control of your surroundings, learning to say no, and ditching part of your "to do" list.

Alter by changing a situation for the better. Some ways include asking others to change their behaviors, openly communicating your feelings, managing your time better and stating your limits in advance: "I have a break for a few minutes. How can I help you?"

Accept things the way they are when there is no choice to change them. In these cases, talk with someone to validate feelings, forgive to move outside of disappointment or anger, practice positive self-talk, learn from those teachable moments and move on.

Adapt by changing standards or expectations, reframing an issue, adopting a mantra: 'I Got This!' creating an assets column and looking at the bigger picture.

The American Heart Association suggests thinking of stress as a continuum. Through awareness of mood changes and emotional cues, learn to regulate stress levels and know when it's time for a stress break. What is your "Low Zone" and how do you "live" there?
Sometimes mood and behavior changes signal a more serious issue. Community - The Anti-Drug's Parent Resource Guide lists what they are and when to be concerned. Paper copies can be mailed upon request.
You Got This!
Find Balance in Healthy Ways

The latest You Got This! poster helps students find balance through healthy outlets, a positive mindset and avoiding alcohol and marijuana. Rewarding yourself for accomplishments, talking with a friend or watching a funny video are some of the stress management tips suggested by DHS & HPHS students.

You Got This! public service announcements (PSAs) at both Deerfield High School and Highland Park High School appear via posters, video announcements, hallway monitors and t-shirts worn by Delta students and school staff.

Community organizations and businesses may also request posters to display in their buildings.
Use the mental health checklist for your child (and yourself!) to take small steps to support balance and overall mental health.

Teens Inspire Positive Change

In science, Delta stands for change.
Deerfield and Highland Park High School students in CTAD's Youth Advisory Board Delta strive to make positive changes in their school and community.

Delta students:
  • Plan activities to inspire classmates to live a healthy, drug-free life
  • Help develop and promote the You Got This! awareness campaign
  • Conduct surveys to figure out the best way to make a difference
  • Present ideas to community leaders
  • Receive professional guidance and training to influence community-wide change
 
Students interested in joining or learning more can contact:
Sandra Wichner at HPHS: [email protected]
Barbara de Nekker at DHS: [email protected]
Help Children Find Balance and Thrive in a Digital World
Wednesday, October 20
Noon - 1 p.m. OR 7 - 8 p.m.
The same, free virtual program offered at two times

Join noted author Ana Homayoun as she offers strategies in building and improving students' executive functioning skills, including self-control, persistence, memory and time management. All areas critical to successfully navigating their real-life and digital worlds and maintaining their mental and physical health.

As part of the Glenbard Parent Series (GPS) on Social Media Wellness, Ana gives parents practical tips so their children can make better choices around social media use, managing distractions and overall well-being. The webinar link will be posted on the GPS website here.
How do I Get my Child to Open Up?
60 Second Conversation Starter

Sometimes it's a real challenge to get children to open up. Here are some proven tips that may get them talking!

  • Reassure them that you're offering support and they should feel safe talking to you.
  • Actively listen and refrain from jumping in and "fixing" the situation or issue.
  • Validate your child's feelings. If they feel sad or upset, let them know how you appreciate their courage and how proud you are of them for sharing their feelings.
  • Be authentic, open and relaxed. Your child can tell if you're not genuine.
  • "I don't know" and "let me think about that" are acceptable responses. It gives you more time to find an answer or someone who can help.
It's not one 60-minute conversation.
It's 60 one-minute conversations.
Volunteer Spotlight: Walt Trillhaase
Bannockburn's Police Chief Walt Trillhaase is a champion for CTAD's mission. He was influential in the Village of Bannockburn's decision to prohibit the sale of vaping products and, more recently, not allowing the sale of retail cannabis. He attended CADCA's (Community The Anti-Drug Coalitions of America) Mid-Year Training Institute to learn more about drug prevention strategies. Chief Trillhaase has been instrumental in distributing CTAD's family-fun activity sheets* to Bannockburn restaurants for indoor dining and takeout orders.

*In case you missed CTAD's family-fun activity sheets, you can request copies by emailing [email protected].

How does Chief Trillhaase relieve stress?
"I coach CrossFit a couple of times a week and I train CrossFit 5-6 times a week. A rigorous workout is great for my mental and physical health. After I workout, I lie on the ground, sweat, and listen to my heartbeat as it recovers. It's an amazing, restorative feeling."
To read about all of CTAD's extraordinary volunteers, check out our past volunteer spotlights.
Be a part of our amazing CTAD team. Will you consider volunteering YOUR time, creativity and unique skills, or giving a donation? Learn how to make a difference by learning about our awesome committees! Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Text-a-Tip: 24/7 anonymous support for students who need help for themselves or a friend. To connect with a trained counselor, download the app "Lake County Help" in the Apple Store or Google Play. You can also text the code "224HELP" or "224AYUDAME" to 844-823-LEAD (5323).
Community - The Anti-Drug Coalition | 224-765-CTAD (224-765-2823)
Community - The Anti-Drug (CTAD) strives to build and sustain a safe and drug-free community where youth feel protected, confident and empowered to make healthy choices. The coalition comprises parents, youth, schools, local government, law enforcement, clergy and healthcare providers who work together to reduce alcohol, marijuana and other drug use among youth in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Highland Park, Highwood and Riverwoods, Illinois. 

CTAD is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization (EIN 451631475). Grants have been generously provided by the Healthcare Foundation of Highland Park and Highland Park Community Foundation. This newsletter was developed in part under grant number SP021482 from the Office of National Drug Control Policy and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The views, opinions, and content of this publication are those of the authors and contributors and do not necessarily reflect our funders' views, opinions or policies.