Around Town

Watertown Teens Tackle the Tough Issues at Recent Town Hall Meeting

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Three of the Watertown Youth Peer Leaders act out a scene where the boy in the middle asks his friend for money so he can buy drugs from the student in front of him. The group spreads awareness of substance abuse and other issues facing teens. Showing that teens do care about more than video games and shopping, a group of Watertown High School students presented a Town Hall meeting about issues facing youth in Town: addiction, depression, racism, and sexual identity. The Watertown Youth Coalition’s Youth Peer Leaders helped organize the Well-Being of Watertown Youth Town Hall meeting, held at the Watertown Free Public Library on Wednesday. It was also sponsored by the Watertown Youth Coalition.

Addiction

Movie, Discussion of Addiction at Free Event at Mosesian Center for the Arts

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The following information was provided by the Wayside Youth & Family Support Network:

Wayside Youth & Family Support Network’s Multi-Service Center and PBS’ science series, NOVA, are holding a screening of the documentary, Addiction. The screening is free and open to the public. The film, produced by NOVA, a program of WGBH Boston, takes a hard look at the science of addiction. Addiction features firsthand accounts from individuals and families struggling with opioid addiction. While addiction has long been viewed as a moral failing, leading scientists will help viewers understand why addiction is a disorder that occurs as a result of drugs profoundly altering the brain. Addictionexplores how we might best address our drug problem, from advances in neuroscience, the development of evidence-based treatments to the rethinking of laws and public policies. A panel of local experts will be on hand to answer audience questions following the film including:

Dr. Laura Kehoe, medical director, MGH Substance Use Disorder Bridge Clinic, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, also featured in the filmDr. Dara Arons, family physician, Charles River Community HealthDr. Damian Archer, chief medical officer, North Shore Community Health CenterPeter Airasian, co-founder, Watertown Overcoming Addiction

When: Tues., March 5, 2019, 6–8:30 p.m.

Where: Mosesian Center, 321 Arsenal St., Watertown, MA

Eventbrite RSVP: https://bit.ly/2UTpujx or contact Stephanie_Sunderland@waysideyouth.org

A Narcan training will be provided by the Watertown Fire Department.

Around Town

Free Screening of Addiction Documentary to be Followed by Discussion by Experts

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Wayside Youth & Family Support Network’s Multi-Service Center and PBS’ science series, NOVA, are holding a screening of the documentary, Addiction. The screening is free and open to the public. The film, produced by NOVA, a program of WGBH Boston, takes a hard look at the science of addiction. Addiction features firsthand accounts from individuals and families struggling with opioid addiction. While addiction has long been viewed as a moral failing, leading scientists will help viewers understand why addiction is a disorder that occurs as a result of drugs profoundly altering the brain.

Around Town

Don’t Suffer During the Holidays, Help is Available in Watertown

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Wayside Multi Service Center, Watertown Senior Center and Advocates sent out the following public service announcement:

The most wonderful time of the year? This is the sentiment that surrounds us during the holiday season. Celebrate, Be merry. From television, to radio, in schools, homes, and work, everywhere you turn these are the messages we see but for many this is not the case. This time of year, brings pain and sadness and can leave people feeling isolated and
alone.

Around Town

Wayside Multi Service Center the Cause of the Month at Not Your Average Joe’s

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You can dine at Not Your Average Joe’s in Watertown and raise money for the Wayside Multi Service Center, the group announced. Waysdie is the cause of month for November at Not Your Average Joe’s. Every Tuesday if you present the flyer 15% of your total purchase will go to Wayside Multi. NYAJ fund raiser for Watertown Youth Coalition by Charlie Breitrose on Scribd

Wayside Multi-Service Center  is a non-profit group that provides prevention, outreach and counseling services to the diverse populations of Watertown and surrounding communities. The Multi embraces the development and enhancement of resiliency skills to enable youth and adults to deal with personal and community issues more effectively.

Around Town

Adult Mental Health First Aid Training Course Being Offered in Watertown

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The Wayside Multi-Service Center will be putting on a number of upcoming mental health first aid trainings, including one in Watertown. One of the four is the Mental Health First Aid training for adults, which is offered less frequently, said Wayside Prevention Program Coordinator Stephanie Sunderland-Ramsey. The adult mental health first aid course takes place Saturday, Jan. 28, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Watertown Police Department Community Room, 552 Main St. in Watertown.

Around Town

Two Youth Mental Health First Aid Trainings Available for Watertown Residents

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Two Youth Mental Health First Aid trainings open to Watertown residents will be offered in November and December. A young person you know could be experiencing a mental health or substance use problem. Learn an action plan to help. The sessions will be held in Brighton and in Brookline. “Sometimes, first aid isn’t a bandage, or CPR, Sometimes, first aid is YOU!”

Schools

Underage Drinking, Stress and Bullying Concern in Youth Risk Behavior Study

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The biggest concern for Watertown youth is their access to alcohol, said members of the Watertown Youth Coalition, but other drugs, including prescription opiates, as well as depression and suicide also rank high in the latest Watertown Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The Watertown Youth Coalition received surveys from 73 percent of Watertown High School students and 87 percent of Watertown Middle Schoolers in the 2014 survey, Stephanie Sunderland-Ramsey, Prevention Program coordinator for the Wayside Multi-Service Center, told the School Committee last week. The survey (click here to see) covers tobacco use, drinking, marijuana, cocaine, prescription drugs and opioids, as well as bullying, depression and suicide attempts. Surveys stretch back 16 years, and are given every two or three years. Sunderland-Ramsey said she hopes to survey students in the spring of 2017.