We had an amazing morning, hearing inspiring stories and words of wisdom from youth, parents, and mental health professionals. We heard young people speak about their experience living with ADHD, autism, anxiety, panic disorder, and suicidal ideation. We heard from parents about what they've learned that's helped them support their kids. And we heard from our panel of experts, including local therapists and school counselors, about the signs we can look for to know when our kids need support, and what we can do about it.

While it was hard to hear our event emcee, Tara Rolstad, talk about how big the youth mental health crisis has become, I hope the parents in attendance left feeling hopeful, with new ideas of how to talk about hard subjects with your kids, and new knowledge of resources available to you and the youth in your life. I certainly felt inspired by the courage and vulnerability of everyone in that room, and my heart was full, seeing so many parents there wanting to do whatever they can to support their kids.

One big takeaway from the day was this: if you are struggling supporting a child with a mental health condition, and/or you're struggling with your own mental health, you are not alone. I know it sounds cheesy and cliché, but it's also true.

When each parent walked into the event, they were handed an anonymous survey to fill out, which asked which things on the list they or someone close to them has experienced, including depression, anxiety, substance abuse, loss of a loved one to suicide, and more. They then handed those surveys back, and we redistributed them randomly (so each person ended up with someone else's list). Then Tara read each item on the list out loud, and if it was checked off on your list, you were asked to stand up. It sounds simple (and might be hard to imagine if you weren't there!), but looking around the room and seeing a visual representation of how many people have struggled with these various mental health challenges was really powerful.

And I wish we could just tell you right here that our speakers on Saturday shared THE MAGIC ANSWER to all of your struggles. But of course, it's not that easy. But one key point we heard from youth, parents, and mental health professionals is that you can make a huge difference in the life of someone who's struggling just by being there, being present, listening, and accepting them and their feelings. Again, it sounds simple, but if you've ever been on the receiving end of that support, you know how much it can help.

And to support others, you need to take care of yourself too. Here's a little reminder of that, from one of our parent speakers:

"Rest is my most important daily tool to train my anxiety and bring my brain to a neutral space, so that I have a calm starting point should one of my kids come home upset... I don't feel overwhelmed, angsty, or irritated. But rather, ready to approach with curiosity and support."

If you missed this event, don't worry! We are already planning two more of these Parenting and Mental Health events this school year. One on January 21, and another on May 13, 2023 - at different locations within Washington County, to be able to reach more families. We are still finalizing the locations, so keep an eye on our Parent Program page on our website, where we'll post updates!

Again, thank you SO much for the great day. We really appreciate you! And please don't hesitate to reach out to us at NAMI of Washington County if you need support. We're here for you! We have free mental health support groups happening every day of the week, and you can always stop by our building in Aloha (we're open 10am-4pm Monday-Friday) or give us a call at (503) 356-6835.

Thank you!

Cassidy Quinn

Director of Community Outreach (and the one who writes these newsletters each month 😊)