What's Happening at WYS February 2023

Hi ,

February is Black History and Boost Yourself Esteem Month. We want to acknowledge and pay tribute to both of these significant celebrations.

Black History Month is an annual month-long celebration that commemorates the accomplishments and contributions of African Americans and their significant role in U.S. history. This year, the theme chosen by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) is: "Black Resistance." The theme encourages us to research the historical oppression experienced by African Americans, recognize the ongoing resistance toward racial injustice, and celebrate the successes and progress made toward creating a safe and equitable environment for all.

At Western Youth Services, we acknowledge the ongoing struggles faced by communities of color and the impact this has on mental health and well-being. We welcome diversity and commit, in words and actions, to uphold the rights of all to feel safe, valued and respected. Including establishing informed mental healthcare and support for every client, family, and school, we work with, regardless of background.

Boost Yourself Esteem Month is annually observed in February. It is our yearly reminder to appreciate ourselves, despite our everyday stressors. Our mental health is essential, so we should use this month of observation to take the time to care for and learn to love ourselves more. Self-esteem is vital to mental health as it can heavily influence our daily choices and ability to adapt to life's difficulties.

As we celebrate Black History and Boost Yourself Esteem Month, remember to take the necessary steps to help support mental health and well-being for ourselves and one another.

No-cost trainings are available through our RESET Toolbox for parents, educators, school/district administrators, students, community members, youth-serving organizations and collaborative agencies. These resources are available for you to help guide kids and teens on the road to building resilience and becoming emotionally successful.

Below are upcoming no-cost training, events, highlights, and hiring opportunities for February.

We would love to hear from you. If there is anything you think would be important for us to include, contact us at info@westernyouthservices.org and let us know.

For assistance in finding mental health services that fit your needs, please reach out to gethelp@westernyouthservices.org.

WYS, along with four local area partners, form the Behavioral Health Training Collaborative (BHTC) working together to provide mental health and wellness trainings at no cost to the Orange County, California community.

Each month we offer a variety of trainings for families, groups and professionals on a wide range of topics. This month we are offering:

February 6: WYS – Resilience and Hope, 12 – 1 p.m. This training is designed to provide participants with practical strategies, tactics and tools to bolster mental and emotional resilience.

February 7: WYS – What is Mental Health?, 12 – 1 p.m. Provides information regarding appropriate definitions and understanding of mental health, protective and risk factors.

February 9: WYS – Stress Busters for Youth, 10 – 11 a.m.This training is designed to help parents and adults working with children identify the signs of toxic stress and learn coping strategies.

February 10: CGC – Adult Mental Health First Aid, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Learn how to recognize signs of mental health or substance use challenges in adults 18+, how to offer and provide initial help, and how to guide a person toward appropriate care if necessary.

February 15: WYS – You Come First: The Helping Role & Compassion Fatigue, 12 – 1 p.m.This training is designed for individuals who work in a helping role in order to reduce and/or avoid the possibility of burnout.

February 16: WYS – Net Cetera: Internet and Social Media Safety, 1 – 2 p.m. This training is for parents and caregivers as an aid to increase their knowledge and awareness about internet and social media safety.

February 17: WYS – Recognizing Grief During Times of Uncertainty, 10 – 11 a.m. This training is geared towards early learning professionals to help them assist children experiencing grief.

February 23: WYS – Positive Parenting Through Communication, 12 – 1 p.m. This training is designed to provide an overview of positive parenting discipline strategies and effective communication.

February 24: CGC – Youth Mental Health First Aid, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Youth Mental Health First Aid is a course designed to give members of the public key skills to help someone with a mental health disorder.

February 24: WYS – Interactive Screen Use: What Every Parent Needs to Know, 9 – 10:30 a.m. This training is intended to equip parents and caregivers with valuable information about interactive screen use and its effect on youth.

February 28: WYS – Creating Safe Spaces for LGBTQI+ Children, Youth and Adults, 9 – 10:30 a.m. This training is intended for anyone who would like to learn how to create and be a safe space for LGBTQI+ children, youth and adults.

Click below to register!

Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) is here to support first responders including law enforcement, firefighters, emergency dispatchers, EMTs, paramedics and corrections officers. As the leading expert in mental health and wellness services in Orange County, we provide tools that allow for easier navigation of crisis situations.

This month we are holding the following trainings:

February 7: Adult Mental Health First Aid, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mental Health First Aid is an 8 hour course designed to give members of the public key skills to help someone with a mental health disorder.

February 10: Vicarious Trauma, Burnout, and PTSD, 9 – 10 a.m. Establish some of the symptoms of vicarious trauma, burnout, and PTSD as well as the best way to prevent them.

February 16: Youth Mental Health First Aid, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mental Health First Aid is an 8 hour course designed to give members of the public key skills to help youth and minors with a mental health disorder.

February 24: Situational Awareness for First Responders, 10 – 11 a.m. This one hour course focuses on the fundamentals of situational awareness and being safe in the field.

Click below to register!

For additional information or to schedule a private training for your first responder team call us at 949.900.5381 or email us at CIT@westernyouthservices.org.

Western Youth Services CEO, Dr. Lorry Leigh Belhumeur, will be presenting at the Critical Teaching in Action Conference on Saturday, February 18th!

This conference is intended for educators and healthcare professionals and is all about Health, Wellness, and Joy!

Dr. Belhumeur will discuss: "Self-Reflection and Awareness Strategies: Controlling Internal Narratives to Master Resilience" in Room 216 from 11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. at Mt. Saint Mary’s University - Doheny Campus.

If you're planning to attend, please register online by February 8th.