Building resiliency and self-esteem in kids

It’s no secret our kids are stressed out. Some are anxious and some are depressed. In fact, the results from the 2017 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey conducted by Eagle River Youth Coalition (ERYC) revealed 32 percent of local middle school students are feeling sad and hopeless, a 33 percent increase from 2015.

This is where Eat Chat Parent and community conversations on issues that affect youth and families play a vital role. Pre-sented by Vail Health, this year’s Eat Chat Parent series is dedicated to tackling mental health issues and reminding community members they are not alone. The events offer a plethora of resources to educate, engage and help partici-pants thrive.

Help yourself and your family form better relationships and deeper, more meaningful conversations in the new year. Building Resiliency and Self-Esteem in Our Kids will be offered Tuesday, Jan. 8, at Berry Creek Middle School and Wednesday, Jan. 9, at Eagle Valley Elementary School.

Led by Mind Springs Health President & CEO Sharon Raggio, LPC LMFT, this interactive presentation will focus on the vital role self-esteem, coping and resilience play in a young person’s life. Self-awareness and resiliency are built at home, and Raggio will share simple, yet effective, insights that help our kids and our families find daily happiness.

Feeling different causes anxiety, but learning to accept who you are is key in building self-confidence. Participants will also hear from Eagle River Youth Coalition’s Youth Advisor Gerry Lopez, who will share his personal story of discovery and life changes from loneliness and depression, and how he has become an inspiration for youth. Local high school senior Mel McCalley will tell of her powerful journey to gain self-esteem and self-acceptance in a gender non-conforming world through the support of her family and within her school community.

To get the most out of this workshop, go to http://www.VIACharacter.org to complete a free character strength analysis prior to the event. Bring it with you for further insights from the session.

“Not only is it fun to fill out, but understanding the results can change you and your kids’ lives in wonderful and unex-pected ways,” said Raggio.

ERYC’s Eat Chat Parent, presented by Vail Health, is a series of community conversations designed to help foster positive behavioral change that leads to a healthier community where youth can thrive. The goal is to help youth navigate diffi-cult topics that may arise in the home, and to remind the community that no one is alone.

To RSVP or learn more, contact Carol Johnson at cjohnson@eagleyouth.org.

Free childcare is also available. For the safety of your children, an RSVP is required: cjohnson@eagleyouth.org.

via:: Vail Daily