At the beginning of November, the Watertown Youth Coalition hosted a Youth Wellness Community Forum to review the Watertown-specific 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey Results and strategize future programming for the young people in Watertown. We had a fabulous turnout of dedicated Watertown residents!

Below you will find a summary from that event if you missed it, what's been happening since, and plans for the future!

The event began with a presentation given by the WYC members, including Wayside Staff, Watertown High School Peer Leaders, and members of the MXM Research group - who WYC Partners with through the W2B2 Youth Wellness Collaborative. The presentation, [which you can view below], reviewed the Watertown-specific Youth Risk Behavior Survey results for 2023.

Watertown News quotes: "For the past three decades, the Watertown Youth Coalition has monitored the well-being of Watertown students by tracking the use of alcohol and drugs, and rates of depression and stress. In November, the WYC reported the results of the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which was taken by 424 Watertown Middle School students and 591 from Watertown High School."

🔽 Read More from The Watertown News Below 🔽

The data and presentation address how to best-understand the trends in youth mental health, the rates of substance use, what factors may be influencing increased use in certain substances, and how to best-support Watertown youth moving forward to increase overall well-being.

They are:

1. An increased Sense of Belonging,

2. Having a Trusted Adult at home, at school, or in the community, and

3. Information and Education around the Misperceptions of Risk and Use among peers.

Attendees broke into 3 groups: belonging, trusted adults, and misperceptions of risk/use to brainstorm next steps.

🔽 Click below to read more from the activities! 🔽

The Watertown Youth Coalition and Watertown Public School's long-lasting relationship is built on our aligned foundation of equity for all Watertown residents. There are a number of programs, both school and community-based, already happening that are asking for YOUR VOICES! Scroll to see what's already happening right here in Watertown.

Regardless of how you are connected to the Watertown community, there is a place for your ideas.

The next step is to create focus groups of young people, parents, and other community members and stakeholders to further brainstorm on these ideas.

🔽 If you would like to be part of a future focus group, please fill out the google form below 🔽

All meetings are held in person monthly on Mondays from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm at the Lowell Commons at the J R Lowell Elementary School (light snacks will be provided)

Mission Statement:

"The Watertown Anti-bias Coalition, composed of students, staff, parents, and community members, stands together to promote equity and inclusion through transformative conversations, education, and activism."

Watertown Youth Coalition staff have still been training a multitude of professionals in youth Mental Health and adult Mental Health First Aid skills. This past fall, adult professionals assisting youth at the Watertown and Waltham Boys & Girls Clubs, Waltham Africano, and the Waltham Partnership for youth, and adult professionals assisting adults at Charles River Community Health Center became certified Mental Health Professionals!

If you or anyone you know is interested in receiving certification, contact Stephanie Sunderland at stephanie_sunderland@waysideyouth.org

Contact:

Stephanie Sunderland-Ramsey, stephanie_sunderland@waysideyouth.org

or christina_lupica@waysideyouth.org