Mental Health & Wellness
October 18
Suicide Prevention and Awareness for Parents
7:00pm-8:30pm - Ridge High School PAC Lecture Hall
Join us for a presentation on what parents and guardians need to know about suicide prevention including: warning signs in children, information about our district suicide prevention curriculum, and awareness of resources. Registration is required. Will be recorded and posted for those who cannot attend.
October 19
QPR Suicide Prevention Training
6:30pm-8:30pm - Virtual
The mission of QPR is to reduce suicidal behaviors and save lives by providing innovative, practical, and proven suicide prevention training. In 3 steps anyone can learn to prevent suicide. QPR COVERS How to Question, Persuade and Refer someone who may be suicidal; How to get help for yourself or learn more about preventing suicide; The common causes of suicidal behavior; The warning signs of suicide; How to get help for someone in crisis. This event is hosted by the Bernards Township Health Department.
October 26
RHS BREW: Alcohol and Substance: A First-hand Perspective
7:00pm-8:00pm - Ridge High School Media Center
Presenter: Andrew Michinard
Mr. Andrew Michinard, an RHS graduate, shares his personal story including his struggles with alcohol and addiction. His firsthand account focuses on the real situations our students may find themselves in as they or their friends deal with access to alcohol and other substances, peer pressure, decision-making, and self-worth.
November 9
QPR Suicide Prevention Training
6:30pm-8:30pm - Virtual
The mission of QPR is to reduce suicidal behaviors and save lives by providing innovative, practical, and proven suicide prevention training. In 3 steps anyone can learn to prevent suicide. QPR COVERS How to Question, Persuade and Refer someone who may be suicidal; How to get help for yourself or learn more about preventing suicide; The common causes of suicidal behavior; The warning signs of suicide; How to get help for someone in crisis. This event is hosted by the Bernards Township Health Department.
December 21
ESS Parent Presentation: Depression in Children & Adolescents
7:00pm-8:00pm - Ridge High School Performing Arts Center
The goal of this workshop is to help caregivers support and work more effectively with a child suffering from depression. Participants receive an overview of child and adolescent depression, learn how depression can impact school performance, and develop an understanding of treatment options.
January 23
ESS Parent Presentation: Supporting Students with Stress & Excessive Worry
7:00pm-8:00pm - Virtual
https://effectiveschoolsolutions.zoom.us/j/92930608643?pwd=OGl0eENKeTdZRUNoS2xHWUxUUGhGdz09
Meeting ID: 929 3060 8643
Passcode: 933519
This workshop introduces parents and caregivers to effective strategies for providing children with the structure and support needed to reduce stress, enhance access to executive functioning skills, and improve academic achievement. Participants will gain an understanding of how mental health impacts learning and leave with actionable steps to enhance their child's school performance.
January 25
Screenagers: The Next Chapter - Documentary Screening & Panel Presentation
6:30pm - Ridge High School PAC
Filmmaker and physician Delaney Ruston uses a personal lens and professional eye to help us all flip the script on stress, anxiety, and depression. We follow Delaney as she finds herself at a loss on how to help her own teens as they struggle with their emotional wellbeing. Ruston sets out to understand these challenges in our current screen-filled society, and how we as parents and schools empower teens to overcome mental health challenges and build emotional agility, communication savvy, and stress resilience.
February 15
ESS Parent Presentation: How to Talk to Your Kids & Survive
7:00pm-8:00pm - Ridge High School Performing Arts Center
Raising a child is probably the most gratifying job any of us will ever have -- and also one of the toughest. In large part, this is because times have changed. We live in an increasingly complex world that challenges us every day with a wide range of disturbing issues that are difficult for children to understand and for adults to explain. Today’s children are part of the iGen or GenZ generation, the generation born in the age of smartphones and tablets. This presentation will help parents discuss how to talk with today’s kids and survive.
March 6
Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Training
6:30pm-8:30pm - Virtual
The QPR mission is to reduce suicidal behaviors and save lives by providing innovative, practical and proven suicide prevention training. In three steps anyone can learn to help prevent suicide. This virtual training is free to anyone who is 18+ years old and is interested in learning suicide prevention techniques. This event is hosted by the Bernards Township Health Department.
March 21
Self Mastery Seminar Series - What is Trauma Really?
5:30pm-7:00pm - Bernards Township Townhall, Warren Craft Room - 1 Collyer Lane, Basking Ridge
Discover the significance behind the buzzword “trauma.” Join Stacey Uhrig for an insightful exploration into its impact on mental and physical well-being. Gain a deeper understanding of this pervasive term and its relevance in today’s world. Don’t miss out on unraveling the complexities of trauma and its implications for individuals and society. This event is presented by the Bernards Township Health Department and Stacey Uhrig.
March 21
ESS Parent Presentation: Social Media & Strengthening Caregiver Connectivity
7:00pm-8:00pm - Ridge High School Performing Arts Center
This workshop focuses on the increasing trend of children and adolescents using social media. Attendees will gain insights into how children fulfill their needs online and explore strategies to guide them toward fulfilling those needs offline. By enhancing parent-child connections, participants will foster a desire in their children to reduce online time and engage more in offline activities. Questions during the presentation can be sent to tmasino@bernardsboe.com.
April 3
Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Training
10:00am-12:00pm - Bernards Township Library
The QPR mission is to reduce suicidal behaviors and save lives by providing innovative, practical and proven suicide prevention training. In three steps anyone can learn to help prevent suicide. This training is free to anyone who is 18+ years old and is interested in learning suicide prevention techniques. This event is hosted by the Bernards Township Health Department.
April 10
Screenagers Under the Influence - Documentary Screening and Q&A
Doors open at 6:00pm - Movie begins at 6:30pm, Ridge High School Performing Arts Center
Join Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston as she picks up her camera once more to examine the impact of our digital age on teens' decision-making in relation to substances such as vaping, drugs, and alcohol. Exploring the latest research and learning more about the personal experiences of teens and families, the film highlights the changing landscape of the substances themselves, offering solutions for how we can best empower teens as they face decisions about what they will and will not be influenced by. Hosted by: Members of the Somerset County Municipal Alliances, the Bernards Township Health Department, Community in Crisis and the Governors Council on Substance Use Disorder.
April 25
ESS Parent Presentation: The Power of Play
7:00pm-8:00pm - Ridge High School Performing Arts Center
When parents play with their children, it allows moms and dads to relive the joys of their childhood. Parents who play with their children naturally become more attentive to their child’s nonverbal behavior and develop a better understanding of a child’s sense of humor, creativity, and personality. Engaging in play improves communication skills between parents and their kids, and it promotes bonding. Beyond the fun and games, play is essential to your child's health and development. Play helps build important social-emotional, cognitive, language and self-regulation skills. When you play with your child, you also help create the safe, stable, and nurturing relationships they need to thrive. This workshop will teach the benefits of play as well as give ideas to connect with your kids through play.
May 8
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training
9:00am-3:00pm - Bernards Township Library, 32 S. Maple Ave, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 in Program Room B
Youth Mental Health First Aid helps give adults the tools to identify when an adolescent aged 12-18 might be struggling with a mental health or substance use problem and to connect them with appropriate support and resources when necessary. This course is recommended for parents, teachers, coaches, social workers, faith leaders, and other caring citizens who regularly interact with young people ages 12-18. This is sponsored by the Bernards Township Municipal Alliance Against Substance Abuse, Bernards Township Health Department, Community in Crisis, and Empower Somerset.
May 13
The Brew: John Mopper Blueprint Mental Health
7:00pm-9:00pm - William Annin Middle School Auditorium
On February 28 John Mopper of Blueprint Mental Health came to Ridge High and provided an assembly to students and staff. He spoke about the obstacles facing today's teens and the importance of powering through to gain resilience. He was so well received by students and staff that we are welcoming him back!
May 22
Adult Mental Health First Aid Training
9:00am-4:30pm - Bernards Township Library, 32 S. Maple Ave, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 in Program Room B
Adult Mental Health First Aid teaches adults how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adults 18+. This is sponsored by the Bernards Township Municipal Alliance Against Substance Abuse, Bernards Township Health Department, Community in Crisis, and Empower Somerset.
May 23
ESS Parent Presentation: Mental Health Survivor Guide & Preparing for Summer Break
7:00pm-8:00pm - Ridge High School Performing Arts Center
As June rolls around each year, students are typically counting the days until summer break as they head toward a much-needed period of rest and renewal. At the same time, mental health concerns call for a greater level of vigilance and planning as parents plan for their child’s summer. In this presentation, parents will explore ways to maximize the safety of their children by collaborating with teachers and mental health professionals to develop a safety plan that will incorporate opportunities for structure and support over the summer months.