By Cynthia Whitty

Youth mental health has been on everyone’s mind lately. As a community, Ashland has prioritized youth well-being and provided opportunities both in and out of school to promote student mental health and wellness. However, the past two years have challenged all of us to enhance our understanding of mental health, particularly as it pertains to young people. We know that when young people experience positive mental health it can help support academic learning, social connections, and healthy decision-making. 

We can begin our understanding of mental health and how to achieve and support mental health through mental health literacy. But what does that mean?

To help us answer this question, Ashland’s Decisions at Every Turn (DAET) and the Ashland Public Schools (APS) are partnering with Mental Health Collaborative (MHC), a non-profit mental health education and awareness organization based in Hopkinton.

“We teach all types of literacy in schools, but we don’t tend to teach mental health literacy,” Abbie Rosenberg, Mental Health Collaborative Executive Director, said. “Everyone needs and deserves to be mental health literate, and that is what we hope to achieve with these trainings and our school curriculum.”

The public is invited to learn when, where, and how to get mental health help and support for our kids and teens at one of two virtual workshops on Wednesday, Jan. 12: 9 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. or 6:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Register online at www.mentalhealthcollaborative.org/ashlandparents.

Participants will explore mental health literacy through an educational presentation on the importance of self-care; reducing stigma; recognizing the difference between mental health and mental illness; distinguishing between stress, anxiety and depression; coping strategies; and accessing local resources.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Mental Health Collaborative and their amazing clinical team to share their expertise and strategies for supporting kids of all ages,” Kristin French, DAET Director, said. “I encourage every adult to joi